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If you have been in a rear-end car accident, you are probably wondering who is at fault in a rear-end collision, whether you need a Washington, DC car accident lawyer, and if you are entitled to compensation. Normally the rear vehicle is liable in a rear-end collision, but there are certain circumstances where the lead driver could be at fault. Fault in situations where the lead driver caused the accident or partially caused the accident can be difficult to prove and often require finding enough evidence to prove your car accident claim.
Regan Zambri Long brings nearly 200 years of combined experience to every case, which is one of the many reasons people turn to our award-winning car accident lawyers when questions start piling up after a rear-end collision. We are also consistently recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in America and have recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. We front all case costs and work with top accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other professionals to clearly establish how a rear-end collision happened and who should be held responsible.
Have you been involved in a rear-end collision and unsure where fault truly lies? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will return your call. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shown that rear-end accidents make up 29% of all car accident types that have severe injuries or fatalities. The majority of rear-end accidents are caused by the driver of the rear vehicle following the vehicle in front too closely and not leaving enough room to safely stop. Some of the most common reasons for rear-end car accidents are:
Though the driver of the rear car in a rear-end collision is usually at fault, there are situations where the lead driver is at fault. Some situations where the lead driver could be at fault are:
The main consequences of a rear-end collision are injury or even death. Reports from the Insurance Information Institute (III) show that for the year 2023, rear-end accidents accounted for 7.2% of car crash fatalities. The injuries sustained in different types of car accidents are mostly similar, but rear-end collisions tend to produce more forward-backward movement. Some of the most common injuries in a rear-end collision are:
The other major consequence of a collision is damage to your vehicle. Depending on the severity of the crash, this could range from dents or dings to multi-car pile-ups and a vehicle that has been completely totaled.
In a rear-end collision, you are trying to prove that the other driver acted negligently. To show that the other driver was negligent, you will have to prove the four elements of a negligence claim:
You should always collect proof of the accident immediately afterward. Some important actions for you to take are:
Evidence is critical to the success of a rear-end accident claim. Some of the most important evidence that you and your lawyer will need to gather is:
Rear-end collision claims often look straightforward at first, until liability is disputed, injuries evolve, or insurers start pushing back. That is where experience and credibility begin to matter. Over decades of handling serious car accident cases, Regan Zambri Long has secured dozens of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for people whose lives were disrupted by others’ negligence.
That level of case preparation is one reason all six of our partners have been named to Lawdragon’s list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the United States, selected from more than 135,000 personal injury attorneys nationwide. Recognition like this reflects lawyers who consistently take on complex cases and see them through, not just those who settle early. The same focus shows in Best Lawyers’ annual recognition of Regan Zambri Long as one of the Best Law Firms in America, along with multiple Lawyer of the Year honors, including Paul Cornoni’s 2026 award for Personal Injury Litigation. Paul’s recent designation as the District of Columbia Bar Association’s 2025 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year also speaks to a practice grounded in advocacy.
In Washington, DC specifically, credibility and leadership matter. Senior Partners Patrick Regan and Salvatore Zambri have both earned Top Lawyers Hall of Fame recognition from Washingtonian Magazine, reflecting careers built on courtroom results and long-standing trust within the legal community. Patrick has been recognized by the publication as a “poster boy for legal ethics and integrity” and his career has also led to election as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, invitation-only organizations reserved for attorneys who have demonstrated the highest standards of trial advocacy and professionalism.
Salvatore Zambri has likewise been described by Washingtonian as one of “Washington’s best — most honest and effective — lawyers,” and his work has placed him among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC. Both Patrick Regan and Salvatore Zambri are Fellows of the International Society of Barristers and have served as President of the DC Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, reflecting leadership that comes from peer respect earned over decades.
If you want help determining who is at fault in a rear-end collision, one of the many Washington, DC car accident lawyers on our team can help. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney will take the burden of proving your case off your shoulders. Our team of lawyers will build your case and gather all the evidence necessary to win your claim and secure the compensation you are entitled to receive. Call Regan Zambri Long today for a free case evaluation.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.