As in the case of many auto accidents, determining who is at fault for a rear-end collision in Georgia is not always a simple proposition. However, Georgia law offers a number of guidelines that can be used to determine who carries blame for an individual collision.
Following Distance
In the majority of cases, the rearmost driver in a rear-end collision is found at fault. This is because in most cases, the accident occurs because the back driver is not maintaining an appropriate following distance.
According to Georgia law, all motorists must maintain a following distance sufficient to allow them time and room to stop safely if the car ahead of them slows down or brakes suddenly. If the accident occurs because of a lack of room to stop, the drive in the back will be found at fault.
Other Circumstances
Rear-end collisions can occur for other reasons, however, and in some of these cases the driver in front might be found at fault. Examples include:
- A driver changes lanes suddenly in front of another driver and slows down abruptly. In this case, the front driver’s actions eliminated the safe following distance maintained by the back driver, making the front driver at fault.
- A car is stopped and another car hits it from behind. The front car in this collision then strikes a car in front of it due to the impact. In this case, the car in the middle is not at fault for the frontmost collision because it was stationary before it was struck.
In cases where it is difficult to determine fault in a rear-end collision, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced car accident lawyer in Georgia. The personal injury and car accident attorney at Robbins Law, PC, in Atlanta, is well-versed in Georgia law, and can help sort out even the most complex cases. If you need help regarding a rear-end collision in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact Robbins Law, PC