Los Angeles, CA asked in Car Accidents for California

Q: If a car in front of you makes a sudden stop and I run into him am I at faught

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5 Lawyer Answers
Jonathan S. Dennis
Jonathan S. Dennis
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Most likely yes.

Gerald Barry Dorfman agrees with this answer

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Mill Valley, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Almost always. The idea behind it is that you were following too closely for conditions. You may be less than 100% at fault, though, depending on the situation.

William John Light
William John Light
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Yes. You have to allow enough time and space to stop without colliding with another car. People make sudden stops. You have to take that into consideration when following. There are occasions when a sudden stop isn't the fault of the driver who collides. I have seen this where the sudden stop is part of an insurance scam and the person is intentionally trying to create a collision. Very rare, though.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA

A: As the others say, you have to be prepared to have the car in front of you stop suddenly--for instance if a puppy was lying in the road, or more likely a child looked to be about to dart in front of them (the person in front sees a ball bounce onto the roadway). You hit, so you weren't. Only time I've won a case was where someone stopped over the crest of a hill, middle of the lane, no flashers, because they wanted to read a map--and there the company fought it all the way.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA

A: Yup. What if they had to brake for a child? You have to drive slowly enough to be able to stop within the assured clear distance ahead. You didn't. Report to your insurance.

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