The severity of a car accident depends on many factors, including the speed, weight, and direction of the vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, only about 4% of crashes involve a head-on collision. However, 27.7% of fatal crashes and 7.4% of injury crashes are head-on collisions. This makes head-on crashes rare but extremely harmful.
Injuries from head-on crashes in Salt Lake City, Utah, can cause significant physical disabilities and financial losses. If you were hurt in one of these crashes, a Salt Lake City head-on crash lawyer from Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today at (801) 851-1202 to schedule a free consultation.
How Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Head-On Crash in Salt Lake City, UT
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers has been a pillar of the legal community in Salt Lake City for decades. Our attorneys have a reputation for personalized care and zealous advocacy. Through this approach, we have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
When you suffer a serious injury in a head-on collision caused by another driver, our firm can help you by handling the following:
- Evaluating your options based on your unique circumstances
- Gathering evidence to support your case
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Negotiating to settle your claim and filing a lawsuit if negotiations fail
Injuries from a head-on collision can require expensive treatment and therapy. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Salt Lake City car accident attorney to learn more about your right to seek compensation under Utah law today.
Head-On Collision Statistics in Salt Lake City
According to the Utah Crash Summary dashboard, head-on crashes only accounted for 59 of Salt Lake City’s 4,435 car accidents in 2024. However, these accidents included three fatal crashes and 25 injury crashes. In other words, the odds of suffering injury or death in a head-on collision that year were over 47%.
Causes of Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are almost always caused by wrong-way drivers. A front-to-front collision generally requires two vehicles to head in opposite directions in the same travel lane.
Some common causes of wrong-way driving include:
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is a common cause of front-to-front car accidents.
Drugs or alcohol can cause the following dangerous driving behaviors:
- Making poor decisions
- Judging distance or speed incorrectly
- Not focusing on driving
For example, an intoxicated driver might get confused and drive on the wrong side of the road. Similarly, someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs might fail to see or comprehend warning signs and head the wrong way on a freeway by going up an off-ramp.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is more risky than many drivers appreciate. In fact, a study at the University of Utah found that drivers talking on their cell phones are as dangerous as drunk drivers.
By dividing their attention, distracted drivers cannot spot or react to road hazards as quickly. As a result, a distracted driver might end up turning the wrong way on a one-way road or making other mistakes that result in a head-on crash.
Unfamiliarity With the Road
Salt Lake City does not have many one-way streets, but it has a few major ones. Moreover, the city has several confusing freeway entrances and exits that might catch an out-of-state visitor or new resident by surprise. In this way, unfamiliarity with the road might cause a driver to drive in the wrong direction.
Liability for Head-On Crashes
Utah uses a no-fault insurance system. After minor collisions, each driver typically pursues benefits from their auto insurer. This system is often faster than a claim against the other driver, but provides limited benefits.
For this reason, a crash victim who suffers a serious injury or has over $3,000 in medical bills can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
The following injuries may qualify under this law:
- Fatal injury
- Fractured bone
- Dismemberment
- Permanent disfigurement
- Permanent impairment or disability
If you’ve suffered any of these serious injuries in a head-on crash, you may be entitled to step outside Utah’s no-fault system and hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Contact Our Salt Lake City Head-On Crash Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Head-on crashes frequently result from clear cases of negligence. If you experienced one of these crashes in Salt Lake City, our skilled legal team may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf to help you recover your losses. Contact Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers today to speak to a Salt Lake City head-on crash attorney.
