I had to brake suddenly for a squirrel, and unfortunately, I ended up getting rear-ended pretty hard. Am I at fault for this? I was driving at around 25 mph, which is the speed limit, when a squirrel darted in front of my car and stopped. I slammed on the brakes, but that caused a collision with the vehicle behind me. My car is totaled, and I can’t afford to cover the damages. Legally, am I responsible in this situation?
I braked for a squirrel and got rear-ended pretty bad. Am I at fault?
I’m sorry to hear about your accident—sounds really frustrating. In many cases, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is typically considered at fault because they are usually expected to maintain a safe following distance and be able to stop in time. However, your decision to brake for the squirrel could be seen as a reasonable reaction to avoid harming an animal.
Legally, fault can depend on various factors, including local traffic laws and the specifics of the situation. If it can be shown that your sudden stop was a reasonable response to an unexpected hazard, it might reduce or negate your liability. It would be a good idea to document everything about the incident and speak to your insurance company or a legal professional for guidance on how to proceed. They can give you the best advice based on your local laws and the full context of the accident.