You’re stopped at a red light. Maybe you’re checking the clock on the dash or thinking about what you’ll make for dinner. Then, out of nowhere, another car slams into you from behind. It’s jarring, confusing, and painful.
Rear-end crashes are some of the most common types of car accidents in Rock Springs. Even though they tend to happen at low speeds, they can still leave you seriously hurt. The force from behind pushes your body forward while your seat belt jerks you back. That kind of motion isn’t natural, and it can wreak havoc on your spine and neck in particular.
Rear-end crashes cause more than just bent fenders. They can also cause severe injuries that can change your life in an instant.
Whiplash
Whiplash is probably the most talked-about rear-end injury, and for good reason. It happens when your neck snaps back and forth like a whip, and it can leave you with lasting pain, stiffness, headaches, and even dizziness. Some people recover in weeks, but others deal with symptoms for months or even longer.
Head Trauma
If your head hits the steering wheel or headrest too hard, you might suffer a concussion or other serious head injury. Even if you don’t pass out, your brain could still be traumatized. Foggy thinking, memory problems, and fatigue aren’t normal after a crash. They’re signs that something’s wrong.
Back Trauma
Lower back pain is common when people get rear-ended. That sudden jolt can damage your spinal discs or strain back muscles. In some cases, it triggers nerve issues that shoot pain down your legs or cause numbness.
Face and Arm Injuries
As your body is thrown around in an accident, your face or arms may hit parts of your steering wheel or dash, or be struck by unsecured objects. You may suffer bruises, wounds, or other injuries as a result.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Tendons, ligaments, and muscles can all take a hard hit, too. They don’t always show up in scans, so they can be tough to diagnose, but they still hurt and can lead to limitations in movement.
Who Is Liable for Rear-End Accidents In Rock Springs?
Rock Springs follows Wyoming state law. Wyoming uses a modified comparative fault system, so if you’re found to be partly responsible for the crash, you can still collect compensation, but it’ll be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Rear-end accidents usually have clear fault since drivers are expected to keep a safe distance. However, insurance might still argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that you had a pre-existing condition.
Car accidents can get expensive. Between hospital bills, lost time from work, and car repairs, the costs stack up fast. That’s how personal injury claims can be beneficial — to help people get back what the crash took from them.
In Wyoming, the driver who caused the accident is usually responsible for the damage. That includes the costs of treating your injuries, lost income, pain, and emotional stress. However, it’s not automatic. Insurance companies like to try to downplay your trauma, particularly if you have whiplash or something else that doesn’t show up on imaging scans.
Not Every Injury Heals the Same Way
Some people bounce back from a rear-end crash after a few weeks. Others have to deal with pain and stiffness for years. What makes the difference is early care, the right treatment, and getting enough support (financial and otherwise) to fully recover.
If your life changed after a car accident in Rock Springs, you’re not alone. The process of healing takes time, and you deserve the chance to do it right.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and its surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
Hours: 24/7
