The Law Office of Cameron Byrd

Rear-end collisions are a common cause of injuries and property damage in Texas. This type of crash is characterized by a vehicle accident in which a car collides with the back of another. While rear-end collisions are severe, they are nearly always preventable.

If your vehicle gets slammed in the rear end, find out who’s liable for the damages according to Texas’ fault and comparative negligence laws.

Laws Regarding Rear-end Collisions in Texas

Any car collision is a considerable menace, even when none of the parties is hurt. Damage to either of the vehicles can open you up to extensive civil suits and liabilities. According to a 2019 report by the Texas Department of Transportation, vehicle accidents led to more than 3,610 deaths. Even more troubling were the $39 billion damages incurred the same year.

Any driver in Texas is obligated to carry insurance prior to getting behind their car wheel. The insurance will, by law, cover a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury and $25,000 in property damage. This is, however, the bare minimum, and your insurance cover is subject to rising.

Establishing Fault for Rear-end Collisions

It may be difficult to ascertain which driver is responsible for a rear-end collision fault. As a result, it’s prudent to consult with an auto accident attorney before settling or filing a claim, either as the victim or as the alleged at-fault driver.

While most people assume it’s the rear driver’s duty to bear legal responsibility for the rear-end collision settlement, that’s not usually the case. It may be true that the rear driver often has the capability to prevent such accidents, but they are not always at fault. Determining who is at fault in a rear-end collision may take an entire investigation in Texas.

The rear driver might be at fault if they were speeding or tailgating close to another vehicle. Usually, the law requires them to maintain at least one car length of space between their vehicle and the front vehicle to avoid collision.

On the other hand, the front driver could also be responsible if they rapidly slammed on the brakes, stopped too early for traffic or any signal, or failed to maintain their vehicle.

How Can an Auto Accident Attorney Help?

If you’ve been involved in a rear-end collision and find yourself in an endless back-and-forth argument with the other driver, The Law Office of Cameron Byrd can help you get to the root cause and claim a settlement for damages caused.

We’re especially handy when dealing with your insurance company. One mistake people make is assuming that since the adjuster seems helpful and friendly, the company will swiftly settle your claim. This isn’t usually the case. The last thing you want is to wake up to the shocking news that the insurance company has denied your claim, leaving you paying for the damages yourself.