REAR-END COLLISION ATTORNEYS SERVING BOISE & MERIDIAN, IDAHO

According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, approximately 29% of crashes each year are rear-end collisions. That means that statistically, of the more than 27,000 crashes in Idaho in 2019, roughly 7,800 were likely rear-end collisions. If you were involved in a rear-end accident that resulted in injury or damages, you need legal representation to protect your rights and seek fair compensation.

The Shep Law Group has been helping clients in Boise, Meridian, Ada County, Canyon County, and throughout the State of Idaho find justice after their rear-end collisions. We have the experience and resources to successfully guide you through the claims process. Call us today to discuss your case and get on the road to recovery.

Causes of Rear-End Car Wrecks

People assume that rear-end crashes are the fault of the driver of the back but that’s not necessarily the case. There are multiple circumstances that can result in a rear-end collision. Perhaps the driver of the back car was following the front car too closely. Maybe the rear car was operated by a distracted driver or who lost control of their vehicle.

However, the driver of the front vehicle may have also been partly or fully at fault for causing the collision. That driver might have reversed their vehicle or stopped suddenly to make a turn but failed to turn out of the lane of traffic. It’s possible that the car's brake lights didn’t function or the car was disabled, did not get out of the lane of traffic, and failed to employ its hazard lights.

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Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents

Even rear-end collisions without violent impact can cause injuries to drivers and passengers in either vehicle. Injuries might include concussion, broken bones, hairline fractures, contusions, or injuries caused by airbag deployment.

Soft-tissue injuries are extremely common in these types of crashes and may include whiplash-type injuries and injuries to musculature in the back and shoulders that aren’t always immediately obvious.

If you’ve been involved in a crash, you should consider seeking immediate medical treatment. Even if you don’t require emergency care at the scene, a visit to an emergency room, urgent care center, or your family doctor will provide important documentation of your crash-related injuries. It’s always best to let a medical professional determine the extent of your injuries because many times pain isn’t immediate but the damage has still been done.

Proving Liability

Liability for the accident and resulting damages is assigned to the driver who acted negligently in the operation of their vehicle. Negligence does not necessarily belong to only one driver or the other. In some crashes, the fault may be assigned to both.

Idaho is a fault state for auto insurance. That means the person at fault for a car accident, indemnified by their insurer, is responsible for paying damages to the other person injured or for damage to their vehicle. 

When both drivers were negligent, comparative fault determines who is awarded damages and how much they receive. Idaho uses modified comparative fault standards. That means that the other driver must be at least 51% at fault for you to be able to collect damages from their insurer. If your percentage of fault is higher than the other driver’s percentage, or if you are found to be equally at fault, you cannot collect compensation.

If, for example, the other driver is found to be 75% at fault and you are assigned the other 25%, you can seek compensation from their insurer, proportionate to your share of negligence. If you are awarded $20,000 in damages, you would receive $15,000 in compensation which is 75% of the award.

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Accidents are scary and can even be life-altering. It’s not something to take lightly or leave up to the insurance companies to decide. A personal injury attorney will fight to represent your best interests and obtain the justice you deserve.

The Shep Law Group can help you conduct a comprehensive investigation, gather necessary evidence and documentation, establish fault and liability, handle the insurance company negotiations, and if needed, represent you in court. We use our experience and extensive knowledge of Idaho personal injury law to provide fierce and dedicated representation.