The aftermath of a sideswipe car accident can leave you feeling shaken and overwhelmed. Even though these types of accidents may seem minor compared to head-on collisions or rear-end crashes, they can still result in significant damages and injuries.
Sideswipe car crashes usually occur when two vehicles brush against each other on their sides when traveling in the same direction (although they can also happen when cars drive in opposite directions and there is no median). These collisions can be hazardous because of what can happen after the initial contact. A driver can lose control of their car, causing other vehicles to hit them, or the impact can run them clear off the road.
You may have the right to substantial financial compensation if you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a sideswipe car accident. However, the other driver’s insurance company can make your case far more complex because its financial self-interest comes into play at every step. You need an experienced car accident attorney to fight for you when the insurance company tries to walk all over you during the claims process. If you do not have help from a car accident lawyer in Bakersfield, you can get nothing or far less compensation than you otherwise deserve.
It does not cost you any money upfront to speak with a car accident attorney and get them
working on your side. You have no financial risk when you retain a car accident attorney for your case because you do not have to pay them anything if you do not win. The risks are skewed towards when you do nothing and place your trust in the insurance company. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process, protect your rights, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Who Is to Blame for a Sideswipe Car Accident?
A sideswipe crash should never happen because two cars should not simultaneously be in the same lane. The driver already in traffic has the right to remain in that lane. Another vehicle can only change lanes or merge if the driver carefully checks their blindspots and ensures the lane is clear before entering it. If there is a car accident, the driver who was entering the lane is usually the one at fault unless they can present evidence that disproves that presumption.
Human error is to blame in practically every sideswipe car accident case. The driver who strikes the other car is likely the one who is legally responsible for the accident because it was their mistake. Drivers are under a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, and striking a car that was already in a lane of traffic is unreasonable.
Causes of Sideswipe Car Accidents
Common causes of sideswipe car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: A driver may simply not look when trying to merge or change lanes. They may not see a driver already in that lane because they are looking down or straight ahead when they try to execute a lane change maneuver. Texting while driving is a common cause of sideswipe accidents because drivers have their eyes on their phones instead of checking the lane next to them.
- Speeding: A driver may misjudge the distance they have to make a lane change or a merge because they are going much faster than a car in the lane next to them.
- Reckless driving: Motorists may weave in and out of traffic with little regard for other vehicles in the lanes they are trying to change to. The constant changing of lanes may mean a driver looks into the adjacent lane less or does not even look at all.
- Aggressive driving: Drivers may end up in a game of “chicken” when trying to merge into lanes. The driver already in the lane may not want to let the other driver in, while the merging driver may get aggressive. Some drivers may even intentionally sideswipe another car in a fit of road rage.
- Excessive reliance on safety instruments: These days, drivers may have blind spot detection alerts that can tell them when a car is in their blind spot or passing them on the side. A driver may look at this device instead of checking in their blind spot when they want to change lanes.
- Drunk driving: A driver who is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance may not even look in the lanes next to them. Or, they can have altered perceptions to the point where they cannot understand the speed at which other vehicles travel.
Sideswipe Car Accidents Can Still Cause Serious Injuries
Sideswipe car accidents are far more dangerous than you think. Some may believe these accidents are less severe because they involve no head-on collision and there is less force. Even though these accidents have a lower fatality rate than head-on and T-bone car accidents, they can still be serious and result in severe injuries and even death.
Several factors make sideswipe crashes more dangerous, even if the initial impact is not forceful. These accidents often occur at a higher speed, and drivers change lanes without slowing down, whether on a local road or a highway. Even though the force transferred to your car is not the same as if the crash was head-on, there is still potential for significant impact.
You Can Lose Control of Your Car in a Sideswipe Accident
The second-order effects of these accidents are where the real danger lies. Once another vehicle strikes your car from the side, it can move you out of your lane or alter the course of your vehicle. Often, the driver whose car gets hit from the side may lose control and run entirely off the road, and they can strike a tree or fall down a slope. Alternatively, their car may get pushed into another lane, where another driver can hit them more directly. Sideswipe accidents can often lead to large crashes involving multiple vehicles at higher speeds. You may even suffer a severe injury when another driver strikes you after losing control of your car.
Further, your car has less protection from a crash on its sides than on its front and back. If any part of the bumper hits you, it can protrude into the driver or passenger areas. Anyone occupying that part of the car can get seriously hurt from the impact.
Sideswipe Crashes Are Becoming More Serious with Larger Cars
Any presumption that a sideswipe crash is less serious may come from situations where the collision involves two similarly sized passenger cars. However, there are larger cars on the road, as many drivers opt to buy bigger SUVs and pickup trucks. These bigger vehicles can strike your car higher up or at an awkward angle, making the potential consequences of the accident more severe. Further, the crash can involve more force, which means a greater likelihood that you can lose control of your car. Moreover, sideswipe accidents can involve large tractor-trailers when the drivers cannot see into their blind spots.
Sideswipe Car Accident Injuries
Common injuries from a sideswipe car accident include:
- Fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Sideswipe Car Accident Injuries Can Mean Significant Financial Costs
Any type of car accident is serious, and it can lead to escalating medical and economic costs. Whenever you need medical treatment, you are looking at a minimum of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Then, you may be unable to work for an extended period after your car accident. Further, car accident injuries will always have some degree of pain and suffering involved, whether it is physical discomfort or mental health effects of the accident.
In the wake of a sideswipe car accident, you must also deal with the other driver’s insurance company. Depending on whether the other driver had insurance and the amount of coverage they purchased, you may also need to file a claim against your own policy. Insurance companies do not want to pay you the amount of money they owe you under any circumstances.
A lawyer will explain the full extent of your damages and ensure you receive appropriate compensation. In a sideswipe accident, damages can go beyond just the visible property damage to your vehicle. You may also experience medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation costs. An attorney will consider all these factors and work to maximize your compensation, ensuring you do not have financial burdens due to someone else’s negligence.
You Still Need to Prove Fault in a Car Accident Case
The facts of a sideswipe car accident may seem to speak for themselves, where legal liability is easy to prove. It should be simple to determine which driver was trying to change lanes and is presumed to be at fault for the accident. However, things can get more complicated in a sideswipe accident. The other driver may tell a story portraying you as the careless party, and their insurance company may also try to point the finger at you, perhaps claiming that you were speeding or not focusing on the road.
You need a car accident lawyer to prove the other driver was negligent. They may also need to counter allegations made by the other driver’s insurance company that you bear some or all of the fault for the sideswipe car accident. A skilled lawyer will thoroughly investigate the details of the accident, gather evidence, and identify all responsible parties. By proving liability, your attorney can build a solid case to support your claim for compensation.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Helps You in Your Case
You need a car accident lawyer for a sideswipe crash case to give you a chance at getting the best possible outcome for your claim or lawsuit. When you hire a car accident attorney for your case, they can do the following:
- Investigate the cause of your accident and gather proof that shows the other driver was at fault (so you can establish negligence in the accident)
- Review your situation to estimate the value of your damages and how much you may seek in financial compensation
- Handle all communications with both your insurance company and that of the other driver, keeping them from tricking or trapping you during the legal process
- Prepare the insurance claim that you will file to seek compensation
- Negotiate compensation with the insurance company, giving you advice about whether to accept or reject numerous settlement offers
- Take your case to court if the insurance company will not settle your claim with a fair result or amount of compensation
- Explain your legal rights and answer any questions you may have at various points of the car accident claims process
Now Is the Time to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Car Accident Lawyer, Mickey Fine
If you still need to contact a car accident lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation, now is the time. Suppose you do not have legal representation from a car accident attorney. In that case, you are more likely to make mistakes that complicate your claim and your ability to receive total financial compensation for your injuries. A car accident attorney will first establish your legal right to compensation by showing that the other driver was to blame for your injuries. Then, they will protect that right when the insurance company tries to do whatever it can to compromise your case and pay you less than you deserve.
If you have fears about how you will pay for your lawyer, you can put those worries behind you. A car accident lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover your compensation. This payment structure allows individuals who may not have the financial means to hire an attorney upfront to still have access to legal representation. It also incentivizes the attorney to work diligently on your case to secure the best possible outcome.
Remember, sideswipe accidents may seem straightforward at first, but the legal process can quickly become complex. By hiring a personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield, you can navigate through the intricacies of the legal system, protect your rights, and ensure a fair outcome. Do not face the aftermath of a sideswipe car accident alone – consult with a trusted attorney who will fight for your best interests.