There are multiple situations that could lead to a sideswipe or a side-impact collision, such as an intentional driving violation or basic carelessness. With interstates and roadways across the United States becoming more and more congested, these kinds of accidents are a routine occurrence, and they typically result in serious injuries.
If you are injured in a sideswipe or a side-impact crash, proving which driver was negligent is a vital step in determining whether or not you have grounds to file a legal claim for your injuries. Unfortunately, establishing fault can be extremely challenging in these kinds of personal injury cases since the facts can easily be disputed. The negligent driver can and should be held liable for all damages associated with the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death, where applicable.
Hiring an experienced nationwide motor vehicle accident attorney will ensure that your right to financial recovery is protected and that you collect a settlement that actually covers the full value of your damages.
At Local Accident Reports, we offer reliable legal guidance and support to victims of traffic accidents in the United States. Our goal is to help the victims of personal injury accidents secure the maximum amount of financial compensation possible for their situation.
We offer free case reviews to all clients, and our law firm operates on a contingency fee. So, you pay us absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you recover both physically and economically after a sideswipe or a side-impact accident.
Sideswipe Accidents
A sideswipe car accident takes place when the side of one vehicle strikes the side of a second vehicle, usually when they are moving in the same direction. The force of the impact can either cause damage on its own, or it might not be the direct cause of the damage but act as a catalyst that forces the struck vehicle into another, more severe accident.
What Makes a Sideswipe Accident So Dangerous?
If both of the vehicles involved are traveling at a low rate of speed when the crash occurs, a sideswipe collision could result in only some minor property damage, such as paint scrapes and dents. Sadly, however, most sideswipe accidents take place on extensive, multi-lane roadways or interstates with vehicles traveling at very high speeds because the more vehicles you have crammed together on a roadway or interstate, the higher the chances of an accident occurring as drivers move between lanes.When automobiles are moving at high rates of speed, the force of any impact could result in severe injuries. Sideswipe collisions can be especially hazardous due to the fact that can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and unexpectedly swerve into oncoming traffic or crash into a stationary object by the side of the road. These secondary impacts often lead to serious or even deadly injuries to one or more of the people involved.
How is Liability Determined in a Sideswipe Accident?
In order to increase your chances of claiming the maximum amount of financial compensation for your accident, you will need to work with a car accident lawyer who is able to prove that you were not at fault. Sideswipe collisions most often occur when one driver tries to merge onto an interstate, change lanes, or when a vehicle accidentally veers into another lane because the driver is distracted. Before they merge or otherwise leave their lane, drivers are obligated to make sure that it is safe to do so. In the event of a sideswipe accident, the driver who attempted to change lanes is usually determined to be at fault.
Side-Impact Accidents
A side-impact accident is one in which the front end of one automobile impacts the side of another automobile at a 90-degree angle. Due to the formation of the crashed vehicles, these accidents are colloquially referred to as T-bone accidents. These types of accidents occur most frequently at intersections when a driver decides to ignore a stop sign or run a red light. Unlike a sideswipe accident, the vehicles involved in a side-impact collision are not traveling in the same direction.
What Makes Side-Impact Accidents So Dangerous?
In a side-impact crash, the occupants of the struck vehicle can sustain life-changing or even deadly injuries due to the angle of the impact. While T-bone collisions that occur at high speeds are, of course, the most dangerous, it is also possible for severe injuries to take place at low speeds because a side-impact accident applies the greatest amount of force to the part of the vehicle with the least amount of protection. Only a metal door and a glass window are between the vehicle occupant and a direct hit by another car. Some common injuries caused by side-impact crashes are:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken bones
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
- Death
How is Liability Determined in a Side-Impact Accident?
Establishing which driver is to blame in a side-impact accident tends to be fairly straightforward. This is especially true if the driver of the striking vehicle ran a traffic light or broke another driving law. However, liability may be more complicated if the accident took place at an intersection equipped with only stop signs. For instance, if the other driver argues that they had the right-of-way and you pulled out in front of them as they were legally crossing, you might have to compile relevant evidence that shows it was not you who ran the stop sign. Eyewitness statements, police accident reports, and pictures and videos of the crash scene can be valuable pieces of evidence when it comes to proving what actually happened and who is responsible.
Consult With an Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a sideswipe or a side-impact crash, or any other kind of motor vehicle accident, contact the nationwide car accident attorneys from Local Accident Reports right away. We have a well-established track record of earning positive results for our injured clients and their families, even in the most difficult of cases. Call Local Accident Reports at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free case evaluation and find out what legal approach our experienced attorneys recommend for your circumstances.
