Oftentimes, sideswipes are considered minor accidents, causing some dings and scratches on the sides of vehicles. However, it can cause severe damage to your car on a busy highway at fast speeds. In addition, these accidents can cause life-threatening injuries. For these reasons, it is best to retain the services of an experienced auto accident attorney to help you win property damage and personal injury claims.
What Are Sideswipe Accidents?
A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles driving in the same direction make contact. It’s also known as a blind spot accident. It can also happen between two cars heading in opposite directions.
Sideswipes can also occur between one moving vehicle and another that is parked. In addition, a car can also sideswipe stationary objects such as concrete medians or guardrails.
Some drivers think that a sideswipe is something they shouldn’t worry about. However, the huge number of blind spot accidents can be pretty alarming. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that 242,000 sideswipe accidents occur annually. It results in 2,500 fatalities and around 27,000 car injuries.
Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipes typically involve one or two negligent drivers. Two common scenarios can lead to a sideswipe:
- The driver at fault starts moving into the other driver’s lane.
- A rear vehicle carelessly tries to pass the other one in front.
Accidents like these can be caused by reckless or distracted driving. The following is a list of other potential causes:
- Slippery roads
- Inclement weather
- Reckless driving
- Road rage
- Low spatial awareness
- Failure to signal when turning
- Carelessly merging with other lanes
- Drivers failing to check blind spots
- Intoxicated, drowsy or tired drivers weaving in their lanes
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
Any situation where a driver’s awareness is compromised can result in a sideswipe collision. Road rage and aggressive driving can also contribute to the factors involved. Enraged drivers can change lanes aggressively, hastily overtaking drivers ahead of them. Texting while driving and failing to check side-view mirrors also contribute to the potential causes of sideswipe accidents.
Sideswipe accidents frequently occur on highways and expressways where vehicles travel at higher speeds. When a driver realizes the vehicle is about to crash into another car on the road may cause a knee-jerk reaction. It causes the driver to swerve out of the way and hit another vehicle close by. At very high speeds, these conditions can quickly escalate into multiple-vehicle crashes.
Determining Liability for Sideswipe Collisions
All drivers have to remain in their lanes while traveling. They’re not supposed to switch lanes unless it’s safe, so any time drivers attempt to change lanes involves a certain amount of risk.
However, it’s not always easy to determine which driver changed lanes or swerved on the road. But the location and type of damage on the vehicles can give you a clue. In addition, sometimes, the position of the vehicles after the crash can help determine who is at fault.
Nevertheless, most of the time, determining who is at fault is based on the drivers’ testimony and the eye-witness accounts of the other drivers not involved in the accident.
Drivers who attempt to change lanes without looking are liable for the accident. For example, if they drift into another lane or swerve, they are responsible for the accident. Also, if both drivers attempted to change lanes, then it means both are liable.
Determining who is liable in a sideswipe accident can be difficult. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer can help to determine damages and liability for the car crash. If you’re not the one at fault, then the other driver’s insurance company should cover the costs of repairs.
What To Do After a Sideswipe Accident
Any accident on the road should be reported to the police, even if it was just a minor incident. The first thing that drivers should do is to call 911.
After that, determine if your vehicle is drivable. If so, move it off the road to prevent traffic obstruction. Ensure that the passengers are ok and that the driver and passengers of the other vehicle are uninjured.
Anyone injured after the accident should seek immediate medical treatment. It’s also highly recommended that people involved in sideswipe accidents should immediately speak with an experienced auto accident attorney to secure proper legal representation.
A professional car accident lawyer can help you determine who is at fault and obtain rightful compensation. In addition, they can help you gather evidence and file your claim to receive the compensation you deserve to pay for damages and injuries.
The following are some of the critical steps you should take, and other essentials your lawyers can help you with include the following:
- Take photos of the incident, including vehicle photos and any property damage.
- Obtain a copy of the police report, including witness statements, including their names and contact information.
- Exchange pertinent information with the other driver involved in the accident, including their name, license plate number, license number and insurance company information.
- Secure all copies of auto repair bills, medical bills and other expenses related to the sideswipe accident.
Your auto accident attorney will help you negotiate with the insurance provider to get fair compensation. You must have everything needed to build your case, and your attorney can help you prepare everything.
Get Help from Seasoned Auto Accident Attorney
An experienced car accident lawyer understands all the legal nuances during a sideswipe accident, having dealt with these cases regularly. Call the Law Offices of David Kohm today, so you get just compensation when you’ve been side-swept in Texas. Call any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
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