Were you injured in a rear-end crash in Ogden, UT? Since Utah has a no-fault insurance system, the responsibility for the losses suffered in many rear-end crashes falls on the injured driver’s insurer. However, if that motorist suffers a fracture or other serious injury, they can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
Neither of these legal actions is easy to pursue alone, but an Ogden car accident lawyer from Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers will help guide you through the system. Our legal team has 100+ years of experience and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars.
Call our law office at (385) 402-8187 to schedule a free consultation.
How Parker & McConkie Can Help After A Rear-End Accident In Ogden, UT
When you suffer a serious injury in Ogden, Utah, as a result of someone else’s careless driving, we will support you in the following ways:
- Investigating your accident
- Gathering the evidence necessary to establish your case
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Litigating your case if the insurer fails to offer a fair payout
Our Ogden personal injury lawyers have handled many cases like yours, recovering significant compensation for our clients. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact Parker & McConkie to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Ogden personal injury lawyer. We can answer your questions and discuss your legal options.
What Are Common Causes Of Rear-End Collisions in Ogden?
Rear-end accidents most often occur between intersections as a result of the following causes:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Unsafe lane changes (one driver cuts off another)
In all of these scenarios, a driver is unable to see or react to the vehicle in front of them slowing down or stopping. As a result, the front of the former vehicle slams into the rear of the latter.
What Are Common Injuries In Rear-End Collisions?
Although rear-end crashes are common, they are underrepresented among crashes that cause injuries or deaths. In other words, many rear-end crashes only cause property damage and typically do not gravely injure or kill the occupants. However, in some cases, the forces on the vehicle occupants can still cause harm.
In the front vehicle, the impact of the crash pushes the occupants into their seats. Their backs and necks hyperextend and then whip forward as the car stops. The occupants of the rear vehicle effectively experience the opposite; they whip forward, into their seat belts, before coming to rest in their seats.
Regardless of the car’s position, that back-and-forth motion often causes a few injuries. For one, that hyperextension leads to a form of neck strain called whiplash. Additionally, that intense rocking of the head causes the brain to jostle inside the skull, potentially causing a concussion, a mild brain injury characterized by confusion, amnesia, and clumsiness.
Lastly, since a victim’s body can whip forward into their seat belt, the impact can cause chest injuries ranging from bruising to fractured ribs.
Liability For Rear-End Accidents Under Utah Law
Assuming your injuries allow you to pursue action outside of Utah’s no-fault insurance system, you can put together a claim against a negligent driver who causes a rear-end crash. Your lawyer will prove liability for a crash using negligence principles. Negligence itself refers to the other driver’s failure to exercise reasonable care under the given circumstances.
In most cases, the driver of the rear vehicle is liable for a crash. They have a legal duty to follow at a safe distance based on their speed, the other vehicle’s speed, and the conditions of the road. If the driver fails to follow at a safe speed and distance, they will be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision, and they will likely be blamed for the resulting losses.
However, if the front vehicle driver changes lanes and leaves the rear driver with no space or time to stop, they may be responsible for causing the crash instead.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
Utah law typically imposes a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. This timeframe begins tolling on the day of the accident.
While there are exceptions to this deadline, you don’t want to miss out on your chance to recover compensation. Our attorneys will ensure that you meet all applicable deadlines and put yourself in the best position to secure justice.
Contact Our Ogden Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
A rear-end car accident can severely harm your spine and even cause brain injuries. Contact Parker & McConkie to learn how our Ogden car accident attorneys can pursue compensation for the financial losses that resulted from your car accident. We offer a free consultation.
