Hey everyone, today I want to share a real car accident I just experienced—three cars rear-ended each other near a supermarket exit, and I was sandwiched right in the middle.
Sounds unlucky? It sure was. My coffee spilled, my phone crashed, both ends of my car were dented, and I was so shaken my legs went weak.But what really gave me a headache was: Who was actually at fault? With three cars involved, everyone claimed they weren’t to blame. So who should pay for the damages?
Don’t worry, I’m not here to complain. I’m here to tell you—if you ever face a similar accident, pay close attention to these key details. They’ll help protect your interests and allow insurance companies and police to determine the truth faster.
1. The Moment of Impact: Safety First, Then Photos
It was Tuesday afternoon. I’d just finished shopping and was pulling out of the supermarket exit. The car ahead slowed in the turning lane, so I hit the brakes too. Then—CRASH!—a car slammed into me from behind, pushing my vehicle into the car in front.
My first reaction? My friend Qiao in the passenger seat and I immediately asked each other: “Are you hurt? Can you move your legs? Can you lift your arms?” — Confirming everyone’s safety is the absolute priority.
I then tried opening the door. It was slightly jammed, but I managed to push it open with force. Wobbling, I made my way to the roadside, my legs shaking like jelly. The driver in front looked pale, while the driver behind was on the phone yelling.
I immediately dialed emergency services (122 in China, 911 in the U.S.), my voice trembling but trying to be clear: “Three-car collision at the XX supermarket exit. Everyone is conscious, no serious injuries.”
After hanging up, I leaned against my mangled car, took a deep breath, and told myself: Now is not the time to cry. It’s time to start gathering evidence.
2. Don’t just stand there! Immediately take these 5 types of photos
Police and insurance companies won’t accept “I think” or “I feel.” They need evidence. So the second thing I did was—pull out my phone and start snapping photos like crazy.
I photographed these:
✅ Final positions of the vehicles
—Which lane did each car end up in?Which way were the front ends facing? Were any lines crossed? This helps police reconstruct the sequence of impacts.
✅ Close-ups of damage on each vehicle
— The car in front of me had a dented rear bumper; my car had a caved-in front end + dented rear; the truck behind had a damaged front end too. I photographed every dent from multiple angles and noted its depth.
✅ Traces on the ground
— Were there skid marks? Any broken glass or plastic fragments? I specifically crouched down to inspect the ground behind my car — no fresh, dark skid marks were present. This detail proved crucial later!
✅ Surrounding traffic signs
— Were there traffic lights? Speed limit signs? Turn arrow signs? These indicate whether everyone was driving by the rules.
✅ The other driver’s state
— When the rear driver got out, he was holding a phone. I’m not saying he was definitely on his phone, but I photographed it. This counts as a “hint.”
3. Talking to the other party? Be cautious—listen more, speak less
After a crash, everyone’s tense and emotions run high. At this point, avoid starting with arguments or accusations.
I first approached the driver in front and quietly asked, “Are you okay? Did I hit you first, or were you hit by someone else?”
He replied, “I think the car behind you hit me first, then you hit me.” — This statement was very helpful to me.
I then approached the rear driver, who was angrily saying, “That guy up front slammed on the brakes suddenly!”
I didn’t argue back. I just asked, “Did you see the car ahead slowing down? With all the traffic, were you distracted?”
He stammered, “The sunlight was blinding…” — I jotted that down too.
Key Point: Listen to their initial statements; don’t rush to counter. What people say first is often their most genuine reaction. Once the police arrive, the story might change.
IV. 4 Key Clues to Determine Liability (How I Uncovered the Truth)
Once I calmed down, I pieced together several crucial clues from the photos and conversation:
🔹 Impact force came from behind
—My trunk sustained the worst damage, crushed like a flattened soda can. This indicates the primary impact originated from behind, not me rear-ending the car in front.
🔹 No Brake Marks from the Rear Vehicle
— If he saw the car ahead slowing down, a normal person would hit the brakes, leaving black tire marks on the ground. But the ground behind my car was spotless, meaning he either didn’t have time to brake or wasn’t paying attention to the road at all.
🔹 He was holding his phone the entire time
—Not to say he was 100% on his phone, but holding it immediately after the crash is highly suspicious. Police and insurance companies will note this.
🔹 The front car braked naturally
—He was decelerating normally in the turning lane, brake lights illuminated, with smooth movements.I saw this and began slowing down myself. If he had slammed on the brakes suddenly, my front-end damage would have been worse. But the impact wasn’t severe—it was the car behind me that “pushed” me forward.
Connecting these points, we can reasonably conclude: The car behind bears the greatest responsibility.
V. How to Communicate When Police Arrive? What to Do When the Insurance Company Calls?
After the police arrived, I did three things:
Later, when the insurance company called, the representative sounded exhausted and asked, “Who do you think is at fault?”
I didn’t say “Definitely him!” Instead, I replied: “Based on the vehicle damage, road surface marks, and the sequence of impact, I believe the rear vehicle bears primary responsibility. I have photos and scene documentation I can send you.”
She responded: “Mid-collision liability is often difficult to determine, but your photos are very helpful. We’ll use them as reference.”
——Pictures speak louder than a hundred arguments.
VI. My Hard-Learned Advice
A Final Heartfelt Note
Car accidents are terrifying, and the aftermath is a hassle. But if you stay calm, meticulous, and prepared, you can protect yourself—avoiding unfair blame and financial scams.
Hope you never need this knowledge. But if you do find yourself in such a situation, remember to revisit this article—take photos, observe, document, stay calm, and let the evidence speak.
Wishing you safe travels!
— An ordinary driver whose car got dented front and rear, but successfully clarified liability
