rear end shunt

Rear End Shunt Claim: Compensation For Personal Injury And Vehicle Damage

Find out how to claim compensation for personal injury and vehicle damage in a rear end shunt.

In this article – you will discover what a rear end shunt road accident claim is. We provide solicitor examples of who is legally at fault for rear end shunts and multiple collisions.

In addition – discover the not only the common type of injury you might sustain and how to calculate compensation amounts, but also find out what you should do immediately following a road accident that will best help you to win your compensation claim.

Finally, we set out the importance of using a specialist solicitor to recover the maximum amount of compensation in your claim.

Table of Contents

What is a rear end shunt claim?

A “rear end shunt” describes a type of collision between two or more cars or other motor vehicles. Generally, it occurs in a road traffic accident in which one vehicle collides with the rear of another.

The usual scenarios, when the car experiences a rear end shunt, include:

  1. When the front vehicle is stopped, such as at a junction or a set of traffic lights, when it is hit from behind.,
  2. The front car is travelling at low speeds – such as in slow moving traffic, when the collision occurs.
  3. A row of traffic is involved in a collision. In this instance – multiple rear end shunts can occur

Example Of Multiple Rear End Shunts

Imagine two cars waiting at a set of red traffic lights with a gap between each vehicle.

Suddenly, the rear end of the last stationary car is hit by a van pushing it forward into the vehicle in front.

Here two rear end shunts occur. The van shunts the last stationary car and that car in turn shunts the car in front.

Which driver is legally liable for your rear end shunt?

Generally speaking “legal liability” or “legal fault” for a rear end shunt lies with the colliding vehicle.

The Highways Code sets out a safe distance that should be kept by all motor vehicles travelling behind others. Should the car in front have to execute an emergency stop – you will have sufficient time to stop without causing a collision.

If multiple vehicles are involved in a collision – the rules for establishing who is at fault can be more complex.

For example:

1. A line of traffic stationary at a set of traffic lights hit from behind by a moving vehicle

In this example – if your car is in the line of traffic (whether you are positioned at the front, back or middle) legal liability will generally attach to the moving vehicle that hit the rear of the line of traffic.

All subsequent collisions and shunts should be met by that driver’s motor insurer.

2. Moving traffic when one vehicle has to slow or stop and multiple collisions occur behind

If you are driving your car either in slow moving traffic or within the speed limit on a road when you are forced to apply your brakes. For example – to avoid hitting a pedestrian who has stepped out onto the road.

As a result – your car is hit from behind as is the car behind you – who then is legally responsible for your vehicle damage?

This is a little more complex to establish who exactly is at fault. But one thing is for sure – you are not at fault as you reacted in the correct way to an unexpected road hazard.

Depending on the evidence of your particular accident – liability for your rear end shunt will either lie with:

  1. The car directly behind you.
  2. The second car behind you.
  3. Both of the cars behind you.

What types of injury are you most likely to suffer in a rear end shunt?

The most common types of injury you could receive in a rear end shunt are those to your neck, shoulders and spine.

See our neck injury compensation and whiplash payout amount articles for more details.

You may also experience a bang to the head, with concussion. In addition, hand injury and foot injury are both quiet common as are fractured ribs chest injury.

rear end shunt compensation claim
Rear End Shunt Compensation Claim

What should you do if you are involved in a rear end shunt?

Generally speaking, the same practical steps should be taken following any road traffic accident. In other words – they are the same whether it be a rear end shunt or any other vehicle crash.

See our road accident claim article that details the practical steps that you should take immediately following an RTA.

Should you use a solicitor to claim compensation following a rear end shunt?

In the past the answer to this would have always been YES. However, changes in the law in 2021 mean that a solicitor should generally be involved when your injuries are more serious in nature.

Whiplash small claims

Generally, modest whiplash claims will be classed as small claims. This may mean a solicitor is unable to offer you a no win no fee to help with your claim.

That said – you should still contact a specialist road accident solicitor to establish if you can be helped or not. Generally – in the majority of case you will be able to be assisted.

You can use our free telephone / online help to see how you can proceed. Whetehr this is using a solicitor or not!!

Claims for which legal fault is accepted can still lead to complicated issues needing a lawyer’s expertise.

Getting the maximum compensation the law allows

Quantum – or how much your claim is worth is often more complex than determining liability.

A specialist solicitor will ensure correct evidence is produced to support the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to claim.

See our free legal help options. You can ask a question, call direct to our specialist solicitors and have your rear end shunt claim assessed.

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