I was the last car in a Rear End Collision?

Question

I recently was in an accident involving 3 cars (including mine) and I don't feel I am completely at fault. I was the last car in the accident however I was in the right lane which had stop and go traffic. On the right side breakdown lane 3 cop cars had a drunk driver pulled over. Traffic was 5 MPH at the most in my lane however the other 3 lanes were full speed (65 MPH). I had to stay in the right lane to take an upcoming exit but as I approached the 3 cop cars I started to hug the left side of my lane to give them their space.

I looked in my rear-view mirror to check traffic in the other lanes and at that moment an unmarked cop car went by at 100 MPH, lights and sirens going. I turned my attention back to my lane and the car in front seemed to have stopped but there were no brake lights. I swerved to the right and braked to avoid collision but my drivers side front end hit their passenger side rear. At 5 MPH the officer still said I was following too close. This doesn't add up to me.

Answer 1

What you actually have here is two seperate collisions.     In regard to the one you are involved in,   you state  " I turned my attention back to my lane and the car in front seemed to have stopped but there were no brake lights."     Still,   you didn't have enough time to stop due to circumstances in front of you.   the officer is correct,  you were following too closely.    The cop that went by was just a distraction,  more reason for more following distance.  

Do not allow the police or insurance to lump this into one collision.   The  other girl whom you hit had already caused the other wreck,  you were not involved.   You only hit another vehicle that was already involved in a different accident.   The other party (middle car)  should be held accountable for repairs to the front car,  and prosecuted for the DUI.    You are responsible for repairs only  to the rear of the middle car and yours.

Answer 2

You said you "turned your attention back to your lane."  In the seconds your attention was away, the car in front of you could have stopped, if you were paying attention you may not hit the car.  You are at fault.  SORRY!

Answer 3

I don't see what doesn't add up to you.  You hit them, it's your fault.  It doesn't matter how fast you were going or how close you were following.  Fact is you hit them and you are responsible for your vehicle.  If you can't accept that then quite driving.

Answer 4

Officers always say you, "followed too close".

   Actually, even they probably don't drive the way they recommend others to drive, and anyway,if you actually don't drive too close, somebody probably will fill in that space anyway,  then you'll have to drive even further away.

  Look, I'm sure you are not completely at fault, but you are at fault, too. Yes, you followed too close, probably because, like everyone else on the road, you were in a hurry.

Answer 5

well i think you will find that the last car to impact in nose to tail crash is liable as you could not stop in time maybe iam wrong best of luck

Answer 6

Sorry to give you the similar answer, but unless the car in front had brake light failure, it is your fault.

@ 5mph and the 2 second rule, you would still need 15 ft (about a car length) between you and the car ahead.

@ 5mph, a car almost stop on a dime.  So, that distraction was enough to cause the accident

Answer 7

You were not far enough away to avoid a collision if someone stopped in front of you thats why he said that you were too close.

Answer 8

Sorry, the cop is right. You should always use the 3 second rule when following, it helps you to keep proper distance. You either spent to much time looking back or you were following too closely. In either case, you are at fault.

Answer 9

you are responsible for keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you...period.  You should expect distractions and that is why you should always have enough room to stop quickly.

Answer 10

I know it seems unfair, but yes that's the way it goes down.  It happened to me too and I was sited even though the reason I had the accident was because of the ice.  The other person was stopped, but I couldn't even though I wasn't going that fast and slid.  End of story, they win we lose.  The fact is they have to blame someone.

Answer 11

This is an automatic fault, no matter how stupid the other driver was..if you hit him...you were going too fast.

even if the other guy is reckless..its still your legal fault...if not moral fault.

Answer 12

It sounds wrong but yes you are at fault and the police officer is right, you need to maintain a safe distance and always be in complete control of your vehicle......................