1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I WAS IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME AT A SAFE DISTANCE (THE OTHER DRIVE WILL CERTIFY THIS). THAT VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AS WELL. MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INADEQUATELY AND I REAR-ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. I ESTIMATE MY SPEED BEFORE I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO BE BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH, AND THAT I HAD BETWEEN 30 AND 40 FEET BETWEEN ME AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I WOULD HAVE NORMALLY EXPECT NOT TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS STOPPING UNDER THESE CURCUMSTANCES. AS I TRY TO REMEMBER THE INCIDENT, I REMEMBER THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING VERY HARD -- I WAS CONSCIOUSLY PUSHING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. I HAVE PRACTICED EMERGENCY STOPPING AND EVASIVE LANE CHANGE MANEUVERS ON EVERY CAR I HAVE OWNED. THIS CAR DOES HAVE ABS, BUT I'M CONVINCED THAT THE ABS FAILED TO WORK CORRECTLY, AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.