Who Is at Fault When Two Cars Are Reversing?

Reversing a vulnerable move. Even with mirrors, you may feel like you cannot get a full view of the potential dangers of a collision around you. A car accident involving two cars reversing at the same time can make determining fault difficult. Sometimes you can easily determine who is at fault in a car accident, and in some cases, both parties bear some responsibility for the accident. However, if anyone suffered an injury as a result of the collision, the accident becomes more complicated.

Determining Fault When Two Cars Are Reversing

More often than not, cases that involve two cars reversing happen in a parking lot. In such cases, both parties may share liability. However, in a parking lot, the person who started backing up first typically had the right-of-way, which means the other person is at fault. The exception would be when the parking lot provides clear directional indicators. If one driver reverses in a direction that violates the indicator, they may be more responsible for the accident.

Once the police arrive, they go over the details of the scene. Neither driver should move their vehicle because the police can access a great deal just by looking at the positions of the cars where they collided. If the police are not able to tell who is at fault, they may rely on security camera footage if it is available.

Ways You Can Avoid an Accident When Reversing

Preventing a reversing car accident is not always possible. However, there are a few ways that you can better your defensive driving skills and reduce your risk of having an accident:

Look around for others that are about to leave. A busy day in a parking lot presents a greater risk for accidents. As you walk to your car, look around for others walking to their vehicles. When you see someone near you getting into a car, you can assume that they plan to back up soon as well.
Be aware of your surroundings. Know your blind spots and check all the mirrors before you reverse. Watch for brake lights on other cars and back up very slowly.
Consider an upgrade. Automobile technology changes rapidly, and more recent vehicles have many safety features. For example, most have backup cameras that allow you to see the area behind your car from a screen. Some have sensors that beep in increasing speed as you near another object. Most of the latest features raise spatial awareness and lower the risk of accidents.

Defensive driving is almost a necessity. You cannot always trust other drivers to follow the rules, but you can remain on alert so that you can act fast to avoid an accident.

Common Injuries From a Car Accident Involving Two Cars Reversing

There are many factors that contribute to the type and severity of injuries in a car accident involving two drivers:

The speed of both drivers at the time of the crash
The point of impact
The type and size of the cars involved
The condition of the drivers’ health

Not all accidents result in injuries. When two cars that are reversing collide, the impact is typically less forceful than any other type of two-car accident. Most people do not reverse at high speed. However, you may suffer an injury even in a minor car accident. Some common injuries from a low-impact car accident include:

Soft tissue injuries, such as pulled or strained muscles, happen when the body jerks or twists suddenly from the impact.
Knee injuries happen from the impact of the knees on or just below the dashboard and are more common and severe for people with previous knee injuries.
Whiplash happens when the head whips forward and backward forcefully, causing small tears in the neck muscles.
Hitting the steering wheel may cause bruising, especially if the driver did not wear a seatbelt.
Back injuries are common in people with an existing condition, such as a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae.

Some of these injuries may not produce symptoms for hours or even days, which is why you should consider seeking medical care right away.

The Steps You Should Take When You Are Involved in a Car Accident

Even in the case of a minor car accident, you should take the proper precautions to protect your health by seeking medical attention and guard against any legal repercussions by collecting evidence in the immediate aftermath. There are a few simple steps you should follow after a car accident:

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even a fender bender may result in injury. Check your body for apparent external injuries and move slowly to assess any possible pain you may feel. Contact emergency medical services immediately if you think you may have suffered a severe injury.
Remain on the scene. If you leave the scene of the accident, you risk legal repercussions.
Avoid speaking to anyone. You may feel the impulse to apologize for the accident. However, apologizing may be interpreted as an admission of fault.
Contact the police. When officers arrive on the scene, they conduct an investigation into the accident and file a report, sometimes naming a responsible party. In some cities, a station may not dispatch officers to the scene of a minor accident if no one sustained an injury. However, it would be best if you got the accident on file, and you can do that by going to the nearest station and filing a report. Some stations even allow you to do it online.
Document everything. Take photographs of the damage to both vehicles, the surrounding area, and any injuries. Get the name and contact information of everyone involved, including any witnesses. Ensure you get the driver’s license and insurance information from the other driver.
See a doctor as soon as you can. Even if you feel okay, you should see a doctor. If you prefer not to go to the emergency room or urgent care, you can schedule an appointment with your family doctor. Having a thorough physical evaluation in your medical records is valuable if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Contact a car accident attorney. Sometimes you may have questions about your rights surrounding a car accident, and most personal injury attorneys will answer them right away or schedule a consultation very soon.

Suppose the other person is liable for the accident. In that case, you may be able to recover some or all of the damages you suffered from the accident through a personal injury lawsuit. First, however, you need adequate evidence to support your claim.

Consulting a Personal Injury Attorney

Not everyone knows what constitutes illegal or liable activity in a car accident. Most personal injury cases involve car accidents, and an experienced personal injury attorney can walk you through the legal process and help you decide if you should file a lawsuit and seek compensation.

If you have any questions about a car accident or your rights surrounding a car accident case, the attorneys at Fielding Law can provide answers. Even minor accidents can lead to significant injury or damage, and you should know what steps you can take to recover compensation for your losses. Contact Fielding Law today for a free consultation and get more information about your potential case.

Sources:

https://www.carinsurance.com/kb/who-is-at-fault-when-both-cars-are-reversing