Rear-Ended at a Junction While Sitting in Traffic
Our client was stationary at a junction, waiting in traffic, when another driver failed to stop in time and went into the back of them. No warning. No chance to react.
What Happened
There is not much to say about the mechanics of a rear-end shunt, and that is rather the point. The client did nothing wrong. They were sitting still. Someone behind them was not paying enough attention to the traffic ahead, and the result was a damaged car and a driver dealing with the fallout of a collision they could not have avoided.
What follows a shunt like this is usually the same set of worries: how do I get to work, who pays for the repair, and am I going to end up out of pocket for someone else's mistake?
What we did
We got the vehicle assessed and booked into our approved repair network straight away, so being without a car was not one more thing on the list. Alongside that, the team at NJS Law reviewed the personal injury entitlement and the uninsured losses — the excess, the travel costs, the out-of-pocket expenses that people often assume they simply have to swallow.
The outcome
NJS Law secured £2,650 in compensation for the client.
Every claim is different. This outcome reflects the specific circumstances and injuries in this case and is not an indication of what any other claim may be worth.
Who is at fault in a rear-end collision?
In most rear-end collisions in England and Wales, the driver who hit the vehicle in front is found responsible. Drivers are expected to leave enough room to stop safely, whatever the vehicle ahead does. That said, fault is decided on the facts of each case, not on a rule of thumb — which is why it is worth having someone look at your particular circumstances rather than assuming either way.
What if I was stationary and the other driver's insurer still disputes it?
It happens. Insurers sometimes argue about braking, positioning, or whether the vehicle in front stopped unexpectedly. Dashcam footage, photographs of the scene and independent witness details all help. If liability is being challenged, that is a reason to get advice, not a reason to give up on the claim.
Rear-ended and not sure what happens next?
Call 0800 820 3860. Our claim handlers answer 24 hours a day and we'll tell you honestly where you stand — free, and with no obligation to go ahead.
Back on the Road UK is a trading name of NJS Law Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 15170704. NJS Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 8006550. This page describes a real claim handled by our team and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice.