Kentucky Rear-End Collision Lawyers

Who is liable when a rear-end accident happens in Kentucky?

Kentucky law provides that, “The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the highway.”

Our Kentucky car accident lawyers file personal injury and wrongful death claims against the people and businesses responsible for your rear-end collision. Often, the damage to the rear of your car and the damage to the front of the rear driver’s car is enough to present a strong case.

Two-vehicle hit-and-run accidents

In most two-vehicle rear-end accidents, the driver in the rear is completely responsible. Even if you are partially at fault, you can still file a car accident claim. Kentucky will reduce your damages by your degree/percentage of fault.

At Crandall & Pera Law, we file claims against one or more of the following for causing a rear-end accident in Kentucky:

• The driver of the car in the rear
• The driver’s employer, such as when a delivery driver causes an accident
• The owner of the vehicle is different from the driver, such as when a parent gives their child permission to drive and the child causes a rear-end accident
• Manufacturers of defective brakes and other car parts that prevent a driver from braking properly or avoiding an accident
• Sellers of alcohol. Kentucky law provides that a seller of alcohol, such as a tavern or a hotel, can be responsible for a car accident if the seller should reasonably know that the person they serve is already intoxicated, and that driver causes a rear-end accident due to their intoxication.
• A construction company may be liable if it fails to properly warn nearby drivers of the need to slow down or change lanes.

In some cases, we may also file a claim against the driver in front for stopping short due to their distracted or careless driving.

Chain reaction accidents

At Crandall & Pera, our car accident lawyers handle chain reaction rear-end accidents. These accidents generally occur when there is a line of cars waiting for a traffic light to change, for traffic stops, or to enter an intersection where there is no traffic signal. In a chain reaction of rear-end collisions, the negligent driver in the rear strikes the last car in the line. The last car in line then rear-ends the car in front. The sequence of collisions may continue until the first car line is struck.

In most chain reaction cases, the driver in the rear is responsible for the sequence of collisions. In some cases, one of the cars in line may be partially responsible, which will result in a reduction of their damages based on the partially responsible driver’s percentage of fault.

Hit-and-run accidents

Kentucky requires that all drivers who cause a rear-end accident (or any other type of car accident) that results in injuries, death, or property damage stop and render assistance. Responsible drivers should also provide their registration information if asked, and their name and address.

Some drivers fail to stop because they are intoxicated, do not have liability insurance, may be subject to arrest, or for other reasons.

Our Kentucky rear-end accident lawyers work with law enforcement and our own investigators to locate the hit-and-run driver.

If we cannot locate the driver, then we can file your claim through your uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) policy. Generally, when you buy liability insurance for your car, you also purchase UM/UIM insurance. If anyone in your household suffers injuries due to a hit-and-run driver, your UM/UIM policy should cover your household member, too.