Who is at fault in a rear-end collision in Colorado?

The trailing driver is presumed at fault in most rear-end crashes. Colorado law requires drivers to leave enough space to stop safely, so when a rear-end collision happens, it’s usually because the driver behind either followed too closely or wasn’t paying attention. That presumption is a starting point, not an absolute rule, and it can be challenged with the right facts.

When the presumption doesn’t hold

If the front driver stopped suddenly and unnecessarily in an active lane, reversed unexpectedly, or had non-functioning brake lights, some of the fault can shift back onto them. These cases usually come down to exactly what the evidence shows about both drivers’ actions in the seconds before impact.