At least in California, you are supposed to leave enough room between you and the car in front that you could stop. We all know this isn't always how it really works. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, it's same way here. In that entire situation, the only person not at fault is the guy that braked in front of you. If the guy you hit and his lawyers say that you hit him because you swerved out the way, they'll probably tell you that you should have had the proper distance, what they call cushion space, between you and the car infront of you.