You are involved in a rear-end accident and do not believe you are liable for the incident. Meet with a Murray rear-end accident lawyer in the days after your crash. Your attorney can let you know if you can request compensation from the other driver and, if so, what your case may be worth.
In a recent car accident case, Siegfried & Jensen helped a client recover $10 million in compensatory damages. Allow a Murray car accident lawyer from our team to serve as your legal representation. Contact us today to get started.
How Liability Is Determined in a Rear-End Accident
In many cases, the rear driver is liable for a tail-end accident. If this driver is too close to the vehicle in front of theirs or driving too fast, they may not be able to stop in enough time to prevent a crash. As such, the driver can be held accountable for the incident.
There are rare instances in which the driver in front is responsible for a back-end collision. For example, a motorist is driving recklessly and repeatedly slams on their vehicle’s brakes for no apparent reason. If the driver behind theirs crashes into their car, the motorist in the front vehicle could be at fault.
If you are unsure of who is to blame for your collision, meet with a Murray personal injury lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen. We can provide insights into who is at fault in your rear-end collision. Contact us today.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end accident lawyer serving Murray, call (801) 266-0999
When to File a Murray Rear-End Accident Claim
In addition to teaching you about the common causes of rear-end accidents, your attorney can help you move forward with a claim. You could request compensation from a liable motorist’s insurance company. Alternatively, you could ask for compensation through an injury lawsuit.
Based on Utah Code Section 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of your auto collision to seek compensation from a liable party. A rear–end accident lawyer in Murray, UT, can determine if you are eligible to submit a claim or lawsuit. If so, they can represent you throughout your case proceedings.
Ideally, an at-fault motorist’s insurance carrier will provide you with fair compensation for your losses. This may not happen, as the liable motorist’s insurer may dispute your claim. You maintain the option to sue for damages, and your lawyer can help you do just that.
Murray Rear-End Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
What to Expect If You Submit a Rear-End Crash Lawsuit
A rear-end accident attorney in Murray, UT, can answer common questions about personal injury relative to your case. If you proceed with a lawsuit, your attorney can help you build your case against a liable party. They can gather evidence to support your case, including:
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Police report
Your lawyer remains accessible to address your legal concerns and questions. Along with this, they help you establish realistic expectations for your Utah personal injury case. They can negotiate a settlement on your behalf and, if warranted, bring your case to trial.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Damages You Can Request in a Rear-End Collision Lawsuit
A rear-end accident lawyer in Murray can help you obtain economic and non–economic damages. What you receive in damages depends on how badly you were injured, the extent of the damage to your car, and other factors. Reasons why a court may award you damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your attorney will consider the short- and long-term impact of your accident as they calculate your damages. They want you to recover compensation for your quantifiable and subjective losses. To achieve this goal, your lawyer works diligently to prepare a compelling argument.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
The Role of Negligence in a Murray Rear-End Accident Case
You say the other driver is at fault for your accident, but a judge or jury may have concerns about the validity of your claims. A rear-end accident attorney in Murray focuses on negligence as they craft your argument. They want to prove that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident:
- Duty of Care: A driver has a legal obligation to comply with the rules of the road and avoid actions that could put you or others in danger.
- Breach of Duty of Care: This motorist violates their legal obligation to you by engaging in a careless or reckless act.
- Causation: Based on the motorist’s violation of their duty of care, you were involved in a rear-end collision.
- Damages: You are dealing with losses because the motorist chose to breach their duty of care.
Your lawyer wants to make it clear to a judge or jury that you are in no way to blame for your rear-end collision. Ultimately, the defendant could argue you are partially liable for your crash. If they succeed, you risk getting only a fraction of the damages you request or no compensation.
How Comparative Negligence Can Impact a Case
With Utah’s comparative negligence law, you can be partially to blame for a rear-end crash. If a judge or jury rules you are partly liable, what you receive in damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Or, you may be ineligible to secure damages.
The comparative negligence law allows you to receive partial damages if you are 1–50% liable. For instance, the court rules you are 10% liable for your rear-end crash. This means the defendant may be ordered to pay 90% of your damages.
Meanwhile, the comparative negligence law prevents you from recovering damages if you are more to blame than the other driver. Consider what can occur if a judge or jury says you are 51% responsible for your tail-end collision. Since you are more to blame than the defendant, you may be held accountable for your losses.
Hire a Murray Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Siegfried & Jensen is a Utah personal injury law firm that dedicates plenty of time, energy, and resources to our clients’ cases.
We are here to assist you with your back-end accident case in any way we can. Request a free case consultation with us.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form