Rear End Collision Compensation
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If you’ve suffered an injury from a rear end collision, no doubt it will be a distressing time for you and your family. You may be unsure about what to do next, or you might have questions about whether you can make a claim for your injuries. If you’re involved in a road traffic accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights. This is so you can seek justice and recover the rear end collision compensation you deserve.
Claiming compensation after a road traffic accident can help ensure you and your family are financially secure if you need to take time off work. It can also allow you to take the time you need to properly recover from your accident.
Compensation can also help cover any losses you’ve experienced and can enable you to seek extra medical or rehabilitative treatment to further aid your recovery.
What is a Rear End Collision?
A rear-end collision is a road traffic accident where a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle.
Causes of Rear End Collisions
There are various potential causes of rear end collisions. In some cases, there may be multiple factors at play. Here are some of the common reasons for rear-end collisions:
Tailgating
Tailgating, where the driver or rider is travelling too close to the vehicle in front can lead to a rear end collision.
According to Rule 126 of The Highway Code, drivers and riders should “leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops.”
Distraction/Inattention
Distraction might lead to a rear end collision, where the driver or rider isn’t paying enough attention to what is happening on the road.
Distractions might include loud music, passengers, eating and drinking, or adjusting a radio. Rule 144 of The Highway Code states that you must not drive without due care and attention. Rule 148 outlines some of the distractions you should avoid when driving or riding.
In addition, it is a criminal offence to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that sends or receives data while driving or riding a motorcycle. There are a small number of exceptions to this rule, for example, if you need to call the emergency services and you cannot safely stop.
Speeding
Speed can be a contributing factor in rear end collisions. If the vehicle behind is speeding, it can make it harder for them to stop in time. Where the vehicle behind is travelling at speed at the time of the impact, this can result in more serious collisions. This can then cause injuries to those in both vehicles.
While speed limits vary according to the road, The Highway Code makes it clear that you should ensure you adjust your speed according to conditions and what is going on around you (Rule 125). You should also ensure you keep a safe stopping distance.
Poor or hazardous conditions
Poor weather may play a role in rear end collisions. Fog, for example, can reduce visibility and wet, icy, and snowy conditions can make it harder for you to control your vehicle.
If driving in adverse conditions, it’s important to understand the effects this can have on your journey and adapt accordingly. The Highway Code (Rules 226 to 237) outlines the rules surrounding travelling in adverse weather conditions, including guidance on increased stopping distances.
Sudden braking
If the car in front of you suddenly brakes, or you suddenly brake, this could lead to a rear end collision.
Without proper warning, the driver behind cannot anticipate this change in speed, which could lead to a collision with the vehicle in front.
Driver fatigue
Sleepiness can also be a contributing factor to rear end collision accidents.
This comes under ‘careless driving’, which we will discuss in more detail later down this list.
Faulty brake lights or indicators
If your brake lights or indicators aren’t working correctly, this could lead to a rear end collision.
That’s why having regular vehicle services and annual MOTs is so important, as you’ll be able to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained throughout the year.
Careless driving
Careless driving refers to when a driver is driving without due care and attention, meaning that your driving falls below the minimum standard expected. Some examples that the Police Force class as careless driving include:
- Overtaking on the inside lane
- Flashing lights to force other drivers to let you pass
- Unnecessarily slow driving or braking
- Dazzling drivers with full-beam headlights
- Driving too close to another vehicle
Inadequate road conditions
This is different to poor or hazardous road conditions, as this refers more to problems with the road itself.
For example, this could refer to potholes or an uneven road surface, which may cause you to have a collision with another driver on the road.
Impaired driving
This could refer to a number of things, but it can be anything that would impair your ability to drive safely and legally. Examples include driving after:
- taking drugs
- drinking alcohol
- having a significant lack of sleep
- an injury
Am I eligible to make a rear-end collision claim?
By law, all road users have a duty of care to others, and they should also understand and apply the rules laid out in The Highway Code. If you’ve suffered an injury from a rear end collision due to the negligence of another road user, you could be entitled to make a claim.
In rear-end collisions, it is often the vehicle behind that is liable for the crash. However, every accident has its own unique set of circumstances and liability can be split between the parties.
Even if you think you could be partly responsible for the accident, you may still be eligible to claim. In cases of split liability, your rear end collision compensation will be adjusted accordingly.
We would always advise that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after a rear end collision. Our experts can quickly tell you if you have a valid rear end collision claim and can provide an estimate of how much compensation you could receive. To speak to our friendly UK-based team, contact us online or call us on 0800 182 2187.
Rear end accident typical injuries
Injuries from rear end collisions will vary depending on the circumstances and the severity of the impact. Below are some of the injuries most commonly associated with rear-end collisions:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a common rear end collision injury, due to the sudden movement caused by the impact. Whiplash is generally a neck injury caused by sudden movement to the head. It is characterised by neck pain, stiffness in the neck, headaches, and pain and spasms in the shoulders and arms.
- Concussion: Concussion is a temporary loss of mental function caused by a blow or an injury to the head. Symptoms of concussion can include a brief loss of consciousness, memory loss, visual disturbances, and confusion.
- Spinal injuries: Spinal injuries are among the most traumatic injuries someone can experience. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in a loss of sensation and movement, as well as a loss of control of some bodily functions.
Evidence to support your rear end collision claim
If your rear end collision injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence, your solicitor will help prove this. They will do this by gathering evidence, which might include:
- CCTV of the accident happening or dashcam footage
- Witness testimonials
- Evidence of your injury, including medical records
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Any costs associated with medical treatment and travel
You can help build your case by providing as much evidence as possible to your rear end accident lawyer. The more evidence you can supply, the stronger your case will be. If possible:
- take photos of the scene
- gather witness details
- keep records of your injuries, as well as any treatment (including costs) you receive.
How much rear end collision compensation could I claim?
After a successful rear end collision claim, you could be rewarded with a payout, consisting of general damages and special damages.
General damages aims to compensate you for the suffering and pain caused by the accident, both physically and psychologically.
Any long-term issues or impact on the person’s overall quality of life will also be assessed, which can result in a higher payout.
Special damages (the financial losses you may have experienced due to your injuries) could include:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Loss of income
- Care costs
What is the average payout for a rear end collision?
This information provided is from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It’s important to note that these figures are not exact, and only provide a rough estimate into the types of compensation you could receive.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation |
| Neck | Severe | Up to £181,020 |
| Neck | Moderate | Between £9,630 – £46,970 |
| Back | Severe | Between £47,320 – £196,450 |
| Back | Moderate | Between £15,260 – £47,320 |
| Arm | Less severe | Between £23,430 – £47,810 |
| Pelvis | Severe | Between £64,070 – £159,770 |
| Pelvis | Moderate | Between £15,370 – £47,810 |
| Wrist | Significant permanent disability | Between £29,900 – £47,810 |
What is the average settlement for a car accident while pregnant in the UK?
As each case is unique, there is no average payout estimation for a rear end collision claim in the UK for pregnant women.
What is the average payout for whiplash in the UK?
Your whiplash claim amount will typically depend on how long the whiplash lasts. For example, the amount you could receive for whiplash (not including any other injuries) varies like so:
- Less than 3 months: £240
- In between 3 – 6 months: £495
- In between 6 – 9 months: £840
- In between 9 – 12 months: £1,320
- In between 12 – 15 months: £2,040
- In between 15 – 18 months: £3,005
- In between 18 – 24 months: £4,215
You may also be able to receive more compensation to account for psychological injuries on top of this.
Steps to take after a rear end accident
You should take the following steps after a rear end collision:
- After a rear-end crash, your initial steps should be to ensure the safety of you and others and to seek medical help where necessary.
- Where an injury is involved, you should also report the accident to the police. If urgent medical assistance isn’t required, you can report the accident using 101. Otherwise, the emergency services should be contacted. The police report may form part of your claim for rear end collision compensation.
- Swap contact details with the other party or parties if there are injuries or damage. It is a legal requirement to do this. You’ll also need to swap insurance details with the driver of the other vehicle.
- As discussed earlier, gather evidence if you’re able to. If it’s safe to do so, collect witness details, photographs of the scene, and dashcam footage if available.
- Seek legal advice. It’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after your rear end collision.
Seeking legal advice
Seeking legal advice after a road traffic accident is important to ensure your rights are protected and to give you the best possible chance of a successful claim. We work with a network of some of the very best rear end accident attorneys in the UK who have extensive experience in rear end collisions.
We’ll put you in touch with a legal team who has the expertise and knowledge to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
While it might feel overwhelming right now, we make it as easy as possible to start your personal injury claim. Simply get in touch on 0800 182 2192 or contact us online and our friendly team of experts will guide you through the compensation process.
It’s worth noting that if you have a minor injury and your rear end collision claim is valued under £5000, you may be able to make a personal injury claim without legal representation. You can do this by using the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal.
Frequently asked questions
When is a rear end collision not your fault?
In some cases, liability may be shared between both drivers. This could be if either driver was distracted while operating their vehicle, or if both vehicles were travelling at excessive speeds.
In the vast majority of cases, it will be the fault of the person driving behind.
Who is at fault in a rear end collision involving 3 cars in the UK?
In a multiple-car rear end accident, it will still most likely be the person who is driving behind all of the cars who would be at fault for the accident. However, in some cases, several road users could be deemed liable for the multi-car accident, depending on circumstances.
