Am I liable if I hit the car in front of me after I was rear-ended by another driver?
Under the law, if another car rear-ends you and you end up hitting the car in front of you, then the driver who rear-ended you is liable for the accident. Because chain reaction accidents involve multiple drivers, bringing an insurance claim or a lawsuit can be challenging.
In your case, the front driver may choose to sue both you and the driver who rear-ended you. The front driver may not be sure which vehicle is liable for his damages. If the court determines that the last car and the middle car are responsible for the lead car’s damages, both drivers must compensate the lead car driver. The at-fault drivers must share the total damages; however, the court assigns each one a percentage of liability based on how much fault they contributed to the accident.
When the lead driver sues the middle and rear drivers, the middle car driver may assert that they are not responsible because the last car pushed them into the lead car. The middle car driver may file a crossclaim against the last car driver, which is a lawsuit between the middle and last car drivers within the original lawsuit. If the middle car driver wins their crossclaim but is found liable to pay the lead car in the main lawsuit, the last car driver is responsible for paying middle car driver’s percentage of fault to the victim driver.
Other Car Accident FAQs:
- Am I liable if I hit the car in front of me after I was rear-ended by another driver?
- Can I sue after a car accident if I was not wearing my seat belt?
- Do I have to call the police after a car accident?
- Do I need a car accident attorney?
- Does South Carolina use a fault-based system for car accidents? What does that mean for someone involved in an auto accident?
- How is fault determined in South Carolina?
- How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
- How many car accidents occur in South Carolina each year?
- How many fatal car accidents happen in South Carolina each year?
- Should I let my teenager drive a big SUV?
- What compensation can I get after a car accident?
- What do I do if I am in a car accident and the at-fault driver does not have insurance?
- What do I do if my damages are more than the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver who hit me in a car accident?
- What do I need to know about my South Carolina accident report?
- What does comparative fault mean when it relates to a South Carolina car accident?
- What should I do after a car accident?
PRACTICE AREAS
RESULTS
WE HAVE RECOVERED OVER $500 MILLION FOR CLIENTS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, INCLUDING:
$2,750,000 in a product defect case, scissor lift malfunction.
Am I liable if I hit the car in front of me after I was rear-ended by another driver?
Under the law, if another car rear-ends you and you end up hitting the car in front of you, then the driver who rear-ended you is liable for the accident. Because chain reaction accidents involve multiple drivers, bringing an insurance claim or a lawsuit can be challenging.
In your case, the front driver may choose to sue both you and the driver who rear-ended you. The front driver may not be sure which vehicle is liable for his damages. If the court determines that the last car and the middle car are responsible for the lead car’s damages, both drivers must compensate the lead car driver. The at-fault drivers must share the total damages; however, the court assigns each one a percentage of liability based on how much fault they contributed to the accident.
When the lead driver sues the middle and rear drivers, the middle car driver may assert that they are not responsible because the last car pushed them into the lead car. The middle car driver may file a crossclaim against the last car driver, which is a lawsuit between the middle and last car drivers within the original lawsuit. If the middle car driver wins their crossclaim but is found liable to pay the lead car in the main lawsuit, the last car driver is responsible for paying middle car driver’s percentage of fault to the victim driver.
Other Car Accident FAQs:
- Am I liable if I hit the car in front of me after I was rear-ended by another driver?
- Can I sue after a car accident if I was not wearing my seat belt?
- Do I have to call the police after a car accident?
- Do I need a car accident attorney?
- Does South Carolina use a fault-based system for car accidents? What does that mean for someone involved in an auto accident?
- How is fault determined in South Carolina?
- How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
- How many car accidents occur in South Carolina each year?
- How many fatal car accidents happen in South Carolina each year?
- Should I let my teenager drive a big SUV?
- What compensation can I get after a car accident?
- What do I do if I am in a car accident and the at-fault driver does not have insurance?
- What do I do if my damages are more than the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver who hit me in a car accident?
- What do I need to know about my South Carolina accident report?
- What does comparative fault mean when it relates to a South Carolina car accident?
- What should I do after a car accident?
PRACTICE AREAS
RESULTS
WE HAVE RECOVERED OVER $500 MILLION FOR CLIENTS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, INCLUDING:
$2,750,000 in a product defect case, scissor lift malfunction.
What Our Clients Say About Us
I am very pleased with my experience
I have, and will continue to recommend The Steinberg Law Firm. They have worked very hard on my behalf.
It is hard to really put in writing how much Tom was there for me
He really did such an unbelievable job. Even when the settlement was made, he returned a text with a call to share in the joy over another medical event we were going through, that had a great outcome. Yes, they really do care.
I would highly recommend them
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They will go the extra mile for you
David Pearlman and his staff did an exceptional job on my claim. Mr. Pearlman was honest, patient and steered me in the right direction. A’Riel was always nice and very helpful. I would recommend them to everyone.
I would never seek help from any other Firm!
The lawyers and their staff are very professional, caring about your situation! They are one of a kind!Get this Firm behind you and you will never be sorry!
It was a pleasure working with Steven Goldberg and his staff
They were courteous and professional. They maintained regular contact for status reports on my case and provided needed documentation on a timely basis. I would recommend this firm.