Is a Driver Liable if They Cause an Accident but Aren’t Hit?

Michael Porrazzo
Last updated on October 24, 2025
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It’s a situation that confuses many Utah drivers: a car cuts you off, forces you to swerve, and you crash—yet that driver speeds away untouched. No collision, no dent on their bumper. But are they still responsible? The short answer is yes, they can be held liable. The challenge lies in proving it.

This is where a car accident lawyer Magna from Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, formerly known as William Rawlings & Associates, can step in. They know how to handle cases involving phantom drivers, road rage incidents, and no-contact collisions. Victims in these scenarios often face skepticism from insurers who demand proof of another driver’s involvement. Without representation, claims are easily dismissed or underpaid.

Under Utah law, liability doesn’t depend on physical impact. If another driver’s negligence set off the chain of events that caused your crash, they can still be responsible. The challenge is gathering evidence—witness statements, dashcam footage, or nearby surveillance—to connect their actions to your injuries.

No-contact accidents are surprisingly common, especially on high-speed routes like I-80 and SR-201, where sudden lane changes or merges can cause chaos. Having an attorney who understands how to reconstruct these events makes all the difference.

How No-Contact Accidents Happen

Many no-contact crashes start with simple acts of carelessness: a driver failing to signal a lane change, tailgating, or braking suddenly without reason. In some cases, distracted or impaired driving leads someone to drift into another lane, forcing nearby cars to react abruptly.

Victims often crash into guardrails, roll over, or collide with another vehicle while trying to avoid the reckless driver. Even though that driver’s car never touched yours, their behavior set the accident in motion.

A car accident attorney from Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law can investigate and prove the cause. They work with accident reconstruction professionals, review traffic camera data, and collect any available video from nearby businesses. Their focus is on showing a clear link between the negligent driver’s actions and your damages.

Insurance companies frequently deny these claims at first, arguing there’s no evidence another car was involved. That’s why legal representation is so important—someone needs to challenge those denials with facts and documentation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving caused over 3,300 deaths in 2022. Many of those involved chain-reaction or avoidance crashes, proving that driver behavior—not just collisions—creates danger on the road.

Proving Liability Without Physical Contact

One of the hardest parts of no-contact crashes is showing that another driver’s negligence caused the accident. Without impact, there’s often little visible evidence. That’s where an experienced car accident lawyer Magna becomes indispensable.

Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law uses a thorough approach to build strong claims. They help gather:

  • Eyewitness statements from other motorists who saw the reckless driver.

  • Dashcam footage that shows the triggering action.

  • Police reports and officer notes describing how the incident unfolded.

  • Accident reconstruction diagrams that explain the cause and sequence of events.

Utah follows a comparative negligence system, meaning multiple drivers can share fault. If the other driver is clearly responsible—even without contact—you still have the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and pain.

The firm’s attorneys for accidents understand the subtle details that can make or break such claims. They know how insurers think and prepare evidence to counter low settlement offers. Their method isn’t about rushing to settle; it’s about securing what’s fair.

Why Hiring the Right Law Firm Matters

After a no-contact crash, many victims assume they can’t recover damages because there was no direct collision. That misconception often leads people to handle their claims alone, only to face denial letters or lowball offers.

Hiring an attorney for accident claim cases gives you someone who knows how to turn confusion into clarity. Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law doesn’t just file paperwork—they communicate directly with insurers, challenge false assumptions, and make sure your injuries are taken seriously.

A car accident lawyer Magna, from their firm, can also explore whether uninsured motorist coverage applies. Utah requires drivers to carry this coverage, which can protect you even if the at-fault driver flees the scene or can’t be identified.

The firm has earned a strong reputation across Utah for representing injured drivers with care and precision. They know the local courts, the insurance tactics, and the evidence required to make your side heard.

Their work extends beyond car crashes—they handle truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accident claims, always prioritizing recovery for the injured. For those dealing with physical pain, stress, and financial uncertainty, having Utah accident attorneys who can manage every step offers real peace of mind.

Protecting Yourself After a No-Contact Crash

If you’ve been forced off the road or injured by a driver who never made contact, what you do next matters. Here’s what Porrazzo Rawlings recommends:

  1. Call the police immediately. A report helps document that another driver caused your crash.

  2. Get medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, some symptoms take time to appear.

  3. Gather evidence. Photos of the scene, witness information, and dashcam video all help.

  4. Contact a lawyer early. A prompt call to a car accident lawyer ensures critical evidence isn’t lost.

Many victims assume their insurance will automatically cover them, but insurers often question these claims. Having vehicle accident lawyers handle communication protects your rights and your claim’s credibility.

Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law has seen every variation of these cases—from drivers who veered to avoid a wrong-way car to those sideswiped by someone who sped away. Their experience gives them insight into how to build a strong argument, even with limited physical evidence.

Their goal is simple: help injured Utah residents recover the compensation they need to heal and move forward. Whether it’s covering hospital bills, car repairs, or long-term rehabilitation, their attorneys know how to make sure your voice is heard.

Get the Help You Deserve Today

Liability doesn’t disappear just because there wasn’t contact. Reckless drivers who cause crashes should still be held accountable, and victims deserve fair compensation. A car accident lawyer Magna from Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law can guide you through every step of that process.

If you’ve been in a no-contact or “phantom driver” crash, don’t assume you’re out of options. Contact Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law to discuss your case with Utah accident attorneys who know how to uncover the truth and hold negligent drivers responsible.

Call (801) 553-0505 today, start a chat with a team member, or fill out a simple online form to get started. The sooner you reach out, the stronger your case can be.

You don’t have to face insurance companies alone — let Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law help you get back on the road to recovery.