If I break, then accelerate, and the guy behind me breaks, and the one behind hits him, is it my fault?

Question

I was never hit, but after that the guy behind me comes to me telling me that it was my fault, he got my license plate, and wanted name and number, but never gave it to him. Could he file and come after me?

Answer 1

it depends if you live in a fault or no fault state.

in both nj and pa, which are fault states, the third car would be 100% at fault for this, unless they could prove that you slammed your breaks with the intention of causing harm to the other drivers.  The third car was following too close and was not able to stop.  Also, in these states its generally 'no contact, no fault' meaning that if no one hit you, you are not at fault.

If you live in a no fault state, I'm not so sure because I've never lived in one.

Answer 2

No... it is the fault of the person who did the rear-ending.

Anybody can accuse anyone of fault.  Saying so, doesn't make it true.

It's Brakes, not breaks

Answer 3

well if you breaked because to avoid something or someone you are innocent, it is his fault

Answer 4

No. The person behind you needs to file an insurance claim against the person that struck them. You have nothing to do with it. The third person has a duty to follow at a safe distance and control their speed.

Answer 5

Don't think you have anything to worry about. If he does come after you just talk to an attorney. Doubt he will though.

Answer 6

Absolutely not! The guy who hit the 2nd driver is 100% at fault for following the 2nd car to close! Failing to yeild, stop, etc etc etc....

Answer 7

You are not at all liable in this case. The second guy was able to avoid you, so he's OK too - the third guy is 100% to blame for following too close.

Answer 8

If you live in Tennessee, the answer is yes.

In 2003 I braked to avoid hitting a little girl, and the third car ran into the guy behind me.  I was charged with reckless driving even though my car was never hit and I spared the life of a little girl.

My license was suspended for 90 days, and my d**n insurance went up 60%.

The judge said I would have been better off if I had hit the girl because she shouldn't have been in the roadway!

Answer 9

Not your fault at all.  Even if the guy behind you hit you, it wouldn't be your fault.  The guy that hit the other guy is the one at fault.  He was not controlling his vehicle.  While driving, you are supposed to stay a car length away, for every 10 miles per hour you're traveling.  In other words....if you're going 30 mph...stay at least 3 car lengths away from the car in front of you.  This way, if the guy in front of you has to slam on his brakes, you will have ample room to stop, and you will avoid hitting him.  Stay back...stay safe.

Answer 10

It depends on the state, in most states (all but 4), you can be cited for dangerous driving resulting in an accident.

In several states, you can also be cited and charged for not providing your information.

For example, in California.  If Driver A does some dangerous driving resulting in an accident between B and C, Driver A can be charged with dangerous driving causing an accident.  If Driver A fails to stay at the scene of the accident/or provide the pertinent information (or provides false information), he can be charged further.

The maximum charge for dangerous driving causing an accident is 2 yrs suspension of license

The maximum charge for failing to stay at the scene (and this applies to all 50 states) is between 6 months suspension and  5 years.