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What Should I Do After a Sideswipe Collision?

What Should I Do After a Sideswipe Collision?

Sideswipe collisions occur when the front of one motor vehicle swipes the side of another vehicle. While these types of collisions can happen on any roadway, they are especially common on multi-lane interstate roadways.

There are several reasons why one motor vehicle might sideswipe another. However, in most instances, these collisions occur because of driver error, negligence, and recklessness. Sideswipe accidents can result not only in a significant amount of property damage but also in significant injuries. The force of the impact to the side of the vehicle might even force the vehicle into another lane, resulting in a multi-vehicle pileup that occurs on the highway.

If you or someone you care about sustained an injury in a sideswipe collision that left you injured, seek the legal help you need as soon as possible. The knowledgeable car accident lawyers at our firm can meet with you to discuss your accident and how it occurred. If necessary, we can investigate the cause of your accident and obtain the necessary documentation, including a copy of any police report prepared following the accident. Our legal team could then file a claim on your behalf, seeking the monetary compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

Please talk with us today to learn more about how we could assist throughout your sideswipe car accident case.

Common Causes of Sideswipe Car Accidents

Sideswipe car accidents that occur in and around may happen for a variety of reasons. However, the most common causes of these accidents are inattentive motor vehicle operation and driver error.

These accidents often occur because of:

  • Negligent motor vehicle operation Negligent motor vehicle operation refers to any driving activity (or, in some cases, inactivity) that violates the rules of the road. In the context of sideswipe accidents, negligent driving may include failing to use a turn signal, failing to yield the right of way to another vehicle, or failing to use rear-view and side-view mirrors when switching lanes or making a turn. When drivers fail to follow the rules of the road, they significantly increase their chances of causing a serious accident with another vehicle.
  • Distracted driving – When motor vehicle drivers fail to look away from the road even for a second or two, they might fail to see another motor vehicle in an adjacent lane on the roadway or highway. Distracted driving comes in many forms, but it typically involves cellular phone or tablet use in the vehicle—without utilizing a hands-free option. Other distractions in the car may include small children in the back seat, loud music, and other types of roughhousing. When a driver is not giving sufficient attention to the roadway, this is usually a recipe for disaster.
  • Fatigued driving – When a motor vehicle operator, such as a truck driver, operates a vehicle while fatigued, they might experience delayed reaction time. Consequently, the driver might not fully see or observe another vehicle before it is too late. At other times, the driver might actually fall asleep at the wheel, resulting in the vehicle they operate veering into another driver’s lane of travel and causing a collision.
  • Intoxicated driving – When a motor vehicle driver operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there is a significant chance that they will bring about a motor vehicle collision. An intoxicated driver’s reaction time is often slowed to the point where they cannot avoid a collision. Moreover, intoxicated drivers also experience blurry vision. As a result of these side effects of intoxication, the driver might not see or observe an approaching vehicle on the side, resulting in a collision. Moreover, the driver’s delayed reaction time might cause their vehicle to veer into another driver’s travel lane, bringing about a collision.

Pursuing a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

Kenny Perez Personal Injury LawyerKenny Perez Law
Car Accident Lawyer, Kenny Perez

If you have suffered one or more serious injuries in a sideswipe accident that a negligent or irresponsible driver caused, you might pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance company. A personal injury claim typically begins by submitting a demand package. This package will include an initial settlement demand, along with important documents, such as medical records, medical bills, a copy of any related police report, lost wage documentation, and a victim impact statement. Once the insurance company adjuster reviews all of this documentation, a decision will be made on liability.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company accepts liability for the accident, they may make an initial offer to settle the case. These initial settlement offers are usually far below the actual settlement value of the claim. Your attorney can zealously negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company adjuster in hopes of reaching a favorable settlement offer that compensates you for your injuries. If the insurance company refuses to properly compensate you for everything that you endured following your sideswipe car accident, you could file a lawsuit in the state court system, seeking monetary damages.

To be eligible for damages in a car accident claim or lawsuit, you must show that the other driver did something wrong, that you suffered one or more injuries, and that these injuries resulted from the accident. If you are successful in meeting your legal burden, you could seek monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, inconvenience, and pain and suffering. Moreover, you could pursue a claim for mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of the ability to use a body part, and loss of spousal companionship, if any. The experienced car accident lawyers at our firm can help you file your claim and pursue the damages that you need in your case.

A knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your situation, advise you of your rights, and help you pursue the monetary compensation that you need for your losses from your sideswipe accident. The best way to protect your rights is to contact the right legal assistance as soon as possible.

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