What liability does the middle car have in a three car rear-end collision?

Answer by  dan1658 (185)

I believe that if the middle car has all tail lights and brake lights working they could only be liable to the front car. The front car stops and the middle car would have to be following too close to avoid the accident. Likewise the last car would have to be cited for following too close to the middle car.

Answer by  Dontbugme (697)

The liability for the second car is the same as for the third car. The person in the middle was not traveling at a safe distance from the first car to avoid hitting it in the event the second car is hit from behind. In a rear end collision, a car that hits another car is at fault.

Answer by  cammieo (169)

In a 3 car rear-end collision the middle car is responsible for the damage they caused in the car ahead of them. Each car is liable for the damage of the car in front of them. The charge for the ticket is unable to control speed that results in an accident.

Answer by  Anonymous

If the front and middle car were both at a full stop (heavy traffic) the third car has all liability. I know, was in this type of accident as the middle car. Last car was sited for following to close and was responsible for damage to the other cars.

Answer by  beck (1099)

Usually the middle car will also be cited for "assured clear distance". The thinking behind this is that the middle car should have stopped back far enough so that if it were rear-ended it wouldn't get pushed into the car in front. Extrenuating circumstances might negate this like the third car was excessively speeding or something like that.

Answer by  kennethjgoodson (4903)

The bad thing is if you hit the guy in front of you, you will be in trouble for rear ending him.