Car accidents are among the most commonly cited causes of injuries and accidental deaths throughout the US. These incidents occur for many reasons, sometimes involving multiple drivers. When one driver is responsible for causing an accident with another driver, the at-fault driver bears liability for the resulting damages. However, determining liability for an accident isn’t always straightforward, and it is sometimes difficult to accurately determine exactly how an accident happened. One of the most commonly reported accidents that can lead to complicated legal disputes is reversing accidents.
It can be challenging to determine precisely who is at fault in a car accident when backing up, and assigning fault for such an accident can involve a complex series of legal proceedings. Therefore, if you hit another vehicle while reversing, or another driver hit you while they were backing up their vehicle, it’s essential to secure as much photographic evidence from the scene of the incident as possible and to consult an attorney as soon as you can do so.
Where Do Back-Up Accidents Happen?
Accidents that occur when one of the vehicles involved is reversing are most likely to occur in residential neighborhoods and parking lots. However, it is possible for reversing accidents to happen elsewhere. For example, if a driver turns down a street only to see that it is blocked, they may attempt to reverse to go back the way they came. However, if they do so too suddenly, they may hit another vehicle behind them.
Reversing accidents in parking lots generally occur at low speeds, and the resulting damage may be nothing more than cosmetic blemishes on the vehicles involved. However, if one driver is speeding down alongside a row of parked cars, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting another driver backing up out of their parking space. In this situation, it’s likely for both drivers to bear some measure of fault for the incident, but the speeding driver would likely bear a greater share of fault for the resulting damages.
Back-up accidents in residential neighborhoods can be very damaging in several ways. First, drivers backing up out of their driveways must use caution to not only avoid backing up into the path of a nearby passing vehicle in the street but also to avoid hitting pedestrians on the sidewalk behind them, especially children who may be hard to see in their vehicle’s rearview mirrors.
Ultimately, determining liability for a reversing accident can be very difficult, and it’s possible for all parties involved to bear some level of liability for the event. In this situation, California’s pure comparative negligence law is likely to come into play and affect the outcome of subsequent insurance claims and legal proceedings for personal injury.
How Does Comparative Negligence Work in California Injury Cases?
Every state upholds different laws pertaining to negligence and personal injuries. Most states enforce the modified comparative negligence law, allowing plaintiffs to recover damages even when they are partially at fault for causing those damages. Under modified comparative negligence, as long as the plaintiff’s fault is less than 50%, they still receive compensation less a percentage equal to their fault percentage. For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% at fault, they lose 30% of their case award. If they are found 51% or more at fault in a modified comparative negligence state, they cannot recover compensation for their damages.
California’s pure comparative negligence law removes this threshold that bars plaintiff recovery above 50% fault. This means it is theoretically possible for a plaintiff to be found 99% at fault, and they would still have the right to claim compensation for 1% of their claimed damages. However, the higher the plaintiff’s fault percentage is, the more vulnerable they are to counter suits from defendants.
When it comes to accidents involving backing up, liability may not entirely fall on one driver or the other. Depending on how the situation occurred, it is very likely for both drivers to bear partial liability for the incident. How much fault each driver incurs depends on the unique details of the incident in question.
FAQs
Q: How Do Insurance Companies Decide Who Is at Fault in a Back-Up Collision?
A: Insurance companies have the right and the obligation to investigate coverage claims. If you intend to file an insurance claim regarding a recent reversing accident in California, you should expect the insurance company to investigate to determine exactly how the accident occurred and who is to blame. They may recover vehicle computer data, traffic camera footage, and statements from witnesses who saw the accident occur. The insurer will also evaluate the statements provided by the drivers involved in the incident.
Q: How Can I Avoid Backing-Up Accidents?
A: To minimize your risk of being hit while reversing your vehicle, always back your vehicle up carefully, staying alert for any incoming traffic coming from either direction. If you are driving through a parking lot or residential area, you can minimize your risk of hitting a reversing driver by maintaining a reasonable speed and staying alert for the movement of nearby vehicles.
Q: Is the Person Backing Up Always at Fault in California?
A: It is possible for the reversing driver to be entirely at fault for a backing-up accident or the other driver involved to bear liability for the incident. Due to California’s pure comparative negligence law, both drivers will likely share fault for the incident. The division of fault between the parties will hinge on the case’s specific details and available evidence.
Q: Who Has the Right of Way When Backing Out of a Parking Spot in California?
A: California law generally maintains that a driver moving with traffic flow has the right of way. If a driver is backing out of a parking space, they must yield to any traffic passing behind them before pulling entirely out of the space. As you reverse your vehicle, be very careful to pay attention to nearby vehicles and yield the right of way when necessary.
Reversing accidents can cause significant damages, and determining fault for these incidents can be very challenging. If you need a Sacramento car accident lawyer after a reversing accident in the Sacramento, CA, area, contact the Kreeger Law Firm to schedule your consultation with our team.
