# What if I was hit from behind? Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/rear-end-crash/ Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied. ## Short answer Being hit from behind may show the driver followed too closely. But it does not settle every fault question. The facts of the crash still matter. ## Hypothetical example A driver follows too closely in traffic. They cannot stop when the car ahead slows down. ## How the rule works Vehicle Code section 21703 addresses following too closely. The space needed depends on speed, traffic, and road conditions. A careful review asks whether there was enough room to respond safely. ## What can change the answer A chain crash or an unsafe lane change may raise other issues. A stopped or disabled car can add questions too. ## A useful next step Save photos of all vehicles. Note the order of impacts and who saw them. ## Do I need a lawyer if fault seems clear? Clear fault does not settle every issue. The injury, bills, lost pay, and amount of coverage may still be disputed. A lawyer can explain what work the claim needs. ## Court decisions behind this answer ### Alarid v. Vanier (1958) 50 Cal.2d 617, pp. 621–624. A broken safety law could lead to a starting assumption of fault. The court said proof of a valid excuse could overcome it. Limit: The case predates shared-fault rules. Read today’s statutes and instructions with the case. Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2d/50/617.html ### Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, pp. 827–829. A person can share fault and still have a negligence claim. Their share of blame can reduce the recovery. Limit: This does not set anyone’s fault percentage. Other limits and defenses can still matter. Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/13/804.html ## Sources - [Vehicle Code § 21703 — Following too closely](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21703.) - [California Civil Code § 1714 — Responsibility for harm](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1714.) - [Alarid v. Vanier (1958) 50 Cal.2d 617](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2d/50/617.html) - [Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/13/804.html) General information, not legal advice.