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Sideswipe car accidents occur more commonly than most other accidents on the road. However, their frequency doesn’t make them less daunting to those affected. Most sideswipe incidents leave vehicle damage without harm to people involved, but it can lead to serious injuries in severe cases to one or more drivers or passengers. Being sideswiped by a passing vehicle that seems to come from nowhere is a situation no driver wants to face.
If you were involved in a car accident, you might find the resulting financial burden tremendous. Reach out to The Virginia Trial Firm at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, our car accident attorneys have extended experience in sideswipe collision cases and can help you learn what legal actions you can take to compensate for your losses.
What is a Sideswipe Accident?
A sideswipe accident is a car accident that happens when two vehicles collide on their sides. The name for this kind of collision is that it often looks like one car has been “swiped” by the other vehicle. Usually, this happens when a distracted driver makes an unsafe lane change or unexpected maneuvering by an overtaking vehicle.
Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur for various reasons. One of the most common causes is when a driver tries to change lanes and hits another car in the process. Another cause can be when a driver doesn’t see another vehicle that’s stopped or turns and ends up crashing into it. Other examples of sideswipe collisions include:
- Distracted Driving
- Failing to check blind spots
- Multiple cars merging on a multi-lane highway
- Drifting across lanes going in the same direction
- Incorrectly estimating the distance between two vehicles
- Speeding, abrupt lane changes, and cutting off the other vehicle
- Merging into the other vehicle’s lane without a turn signal
- Road rage or reckless driving
What Injuries Can Sideswipe Accidents Cause?
Although they’re typically not as severe or dangerous as some other types of car accidents, a sideswipe crash can still cause several devastating injuries to drivers and passengers. According to one study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 50 percent of all traffic accident-related injuries are due to side impacts.
Sideswipe accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, including:
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Once you’ve been treated for your injuries, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci is a good idea. We can help you seek compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
What are the Consequences of a Sideswipe Accident?
The consequences of sideswipe collisions will vary from case to case. In some cases, a minor sideswipe accident can lead to a serious injury like broken bones and back pain that lasts for months or even years after an accident. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you may have trouble returning to work or everyday activities.
Contact a car accident attorney to determine what consequences may come with your particular situation. We can provide valuable insight into your case to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.
What Should I Do After a Sideswipe Accident?
If you are involved in a sideswipe collision, there are some things that you should do to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. First and foremost, make sure that everyone is okay and call for medical help if necessary. Once you’ve done that, here are some other steps to take:
- Do not leave the accident scene until authorities have arrived
- Get as much information about the other driver as possible, including name, address, phone number, and insurance information
- Take pictures of the accident scene and damage to both vehicles
Given that there is so much at stake in cases like these, your priority after taking care of yourself should be getting expert legal advice from someone well-versed in sideswipe accident law. The repercussions of not receiving help could end up costing you money out of pocket and work against your ability to recover compensation for what happened.
Can I Sue Someone for Sideswiping Me?
In some cases, you may be able to sue the other driver for damages suffered from a sideswipe accident. This will depend on the circumstances of the collision and who was found to be at fault.
How is Fault Determined in Most Sideswipe Accidents?
When it comes to determining fault in a sideswipe accident, authorities will often look at the circumstances of the collision. Both drivers may be found at fault for the accident in many cases. However, if one driver was more at fault than the other, that driver may be held liable for damages.
Generally speaking, you may be considered to be at fault for a sideswipe collision if:
- You make a lane change without using your turn signal
- You cut someone off while changing lanes in the same or opposite direction
- You made an illegal U-turn
- You sideswiped a parked car
It’s important to remember that the police will only determine fault in the event of a motor vehicle accident if one driver is injured.
Does Insurance Cover Sideswipes?
Sideswipe accidents can often be tricky when it comes to insurance. In many cases, both drivers’ policies will cover the accident. However, there are also occasions where only one driver’s policy will cover the damages.
Of course, you’ll also want to contact a Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci lawyer for help with your case if you’ve been injured in an accident. Our experienced lawyers can provide valuable insight on whether or not the other driver’s insurance will cover the damages from your accident and what steps need to be taken next.
Can I Sue The Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
If you were involved in a sideswipe car accident caused by someone else, they could bear responsibility for any injuries sustained and other losses incurred due to their actions. It depends on where liability lies; if there are grounds available under Virginia law (or applicable federal regulations) from which to pursue a case against another party, you might have grounds to sue.
In cases where liability is unclear, the best way to compensate for your losses would be through an insurance claim that goes after the other driver’s policy.
Do I Have a Case for My Car Accident Claim?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may wonder if you need to file a personal injury claim. The answer to this question will depend on the circumstances of your accident and who was found to be at fault.
How to Prove Fault in Your Claim
When a sideswipe accident occurs, evidence will be critical to proving fault. You may struggle with having a successful claim without evidence to show that you are not the cause of the accident.
When collecting evidence, it is important to start right away. Some evidence that can help support your claim includes:
- Witness Statements: A statement about what led to the accident can help prove that you were not at fault. It’s best to have statements from those that can give an unbiased view of the automobile accident.
- Video Evidence: In many sideswipe accidents, it may be hard to find a video of what occurred. However, a video can significantly help your efforts to prove you were not at fault. Video evidence can be in the form of a dashcam or video footage from someone else’s phone.
- Photos of any damage: If you can, take pictures of the auto accident right after it occurs.
- Police report: Calling the police right after the accident will ensure that a police report is filed. A police report will compile all information about how the sideswipe occurred. Ask the officer how you can get a copy of the police report.
- Car Damage Repairs: Keep copies of any invoices and notes after repairs to your car. These receipts may show fault and help support the cost of damages you are working to recover.
- Medical Bills and Documents: Keep copies of any invoices, doctor’s notes, x-rays, prescriptions, etc. If you’re able to, take photos of your injuries. These will help with proving the damages suffered from the accident. If you were injured in a sideswipe accident, you should seek medical attention right away.
Gathering as much evidence as you can helps your claim immensely. The more proof you have, the easier it will be to demonstrate that you did not cause the accident. Without sufficient evidence, you may not recover all the damages or any damages at all.
What Can I Do to Help My Personal Injury Claim?
After a car accident, it’s important to get the help you need immediately. The more efficient your recovery process is, the better off you will be in the long run.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe accident, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you seek damages for your injuries and get your life back on track.
Damages to Fight for in Your Personal Injury Claim
If you have been injured in a sideswipe accident, you may be available to fight for any damages. These include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci
If you’ve been involved in a sideswipe collision, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options for compensation if injured or a family member is killed due to this type of accident. Contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci for more information about Virginia sideswipe accident laws and how to seek damages.
The Virginia Trial Firm has a history of success in sideswipe collision cases, and we have obtained substantial verdicts for our clients. We will fight to obtain damages that cover medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, physical therapy bills, and much more. There’s nothing wrong with waiting to make a decision, but know that time is of the essence when it comes to these sorts of collisions.
