A simple drive through a busy parking lot can take an unexpected turn in seconds. All it takes is a moment of distraction or limited visibility, and suddenly, impact. I was reversing, and a car hit me, which is a situation many in Tyler, Texas, face without warning. Whether it happens between two cars backing out or one driver misjudging distance, it leads to the same questions: Who’s responsible? What happens next?
As a car accident attorney in Tyler, at Monsour Law Firm, we walk drivers through these situations, helping them understand their rights and move forward with confidence.
Not always. Fault in a reversing accident depends on specific details. While drivers backing up often assume partial responsibility, that doesn’t mean they are automatically at fault. If the other driver was speeding, distracted, or failed to yield, liability could change.
In Texas, fault is determined by modified comparative negligence. That means if you’re less than 51% responsible, you may still recover damages. Factors like timing, visibility, and whether proper yielding occurred help determine who is truly at fault. Don’t assume guilt before the facts are clear.
Plenty of drivers think, I was reversing, and a car hit me, but that doesn’t always mean they are the ones to blame. Small details, like whether your vehicle was already stopped or if the other driver failed to slow down, can completely change the way fault is assigned.
If a car hit you while you were reversing, the first step is making sure everyone is safe. Call the police to report the crash, and while waiting, exchange information with the other driver, but don’t admit fault. Take photos of the damage, the scene, and any witnesses nearby. Once that is done, notify your insurance provider and think about speaking with a car accident lawyer.
One of the most important steps in this process is properly exchanging information. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), after a car accident, it is important to exchange details with the other driver. This can include photographing their driver’s license and insurance card, or, if an insurance card isn’t available, collecting their name, phone number, insurance provider, and policy number.
When speaking with your insurer, keep your statement simple and factual, and avoid making assumptions or assigning blame.
After any car accident, it’s normal to feel uncertain, especially when you are thinking, I was reversing, and a car hit me. Still, exchanging information plays a critical role. It is the foundation for determining fault, initiating insurance claims, and ensuring accountability on both sides. This step also helps establish a reliable timeline, especially when accounts differ or memory fades.
Skipping it can weaken your legal standing and complicate your ability to recover damages. Whether you are filing a claim or preparing to defend yourself, accurate details support your version of events and may strengthen your case if the situation escalates.
Texas law is clear on what must be shared. As noted by the Texas Transportation Code, Sec. 550.023, a driver involved in a collision must:
Following these steps is part of meeting your legal responsibilities at the scene. A situation in which someone backs into you while you are reversing can raise questions about who is truly at fault, and understanding these obligations helps clarify your responsibilities.
Getting hit while reversing doesn’t automatically make you liable. Whether it happened in a parking lot or at an intersection, the details matter. Assumptions made by insurers or others can misrepresent what actually occurred. For those dealing with the aftermath and thinking, I was reversing and a car hit me, having someone who knows how to protect your side of the story can make all the difference.
At Monsour Law Firm, we guide people across Tyler, Texas, through the aftermath of car accidents, offering legal insight every step of the way. When the time feels right, contact us at (903) 999-9999 for a free case review with a car accident attorney in Tyler.
Douglas C. Monsour, or Doug Monsour, is a trial lawyer who handles important and significant injury cases in Texas and across the nation. He is one of a handful of trial lawyers who have successfully tried multiple pharmaceutical, medical device, and mass tort product liability cases as the lead lawyer. He also vigorously represents injured oil field workers, victims of 18-wheeler wrecks, industrial accident victims, and those that have been severely burned.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Monsour who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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