what kinda lawyer do i need for a side swipe accident

by Devin Dietrich 9 min read

In many cases, sideswipe injuries also lead to deaths. This is why when claiming compensation for truck sideswipe injuries, you need to have an experienced accident law firm in your corner. Flick Law Firm can provide the legal service you need.

A car accident lawyer with experience handling sideswipe car accident cases can review your claim and help you include every damage available to you. This is why it's a good idea to have an attorney look everything over before you file.Dec 17, 2021

Full Answer

Who is liable for a sideswipe accident?

In sideswipe accidents liability generally falls on the driver who fails to maintain his or her lane. The exception to this rule may be when two vehicles attempt to enter the same lane of travel at the same time or when the sideswipe occurs as a result of an unrelated accident.

How can Eric blank injury attorneys help me after a sideswipe accident?

Let Eric Blank Injury Attorneys handle your case for you and get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a sideswipe collision, the Car Accident Lawyers at Eric Blank Injury Attorneys can help you recover compensation for the damages and injuries that you have received.

What constitutes sideswiping in a car accident?

Sideswiping can take place when a driver fails to obey specific traffic laws. Such violations include not using a turn signal when appropriate, speeding, crossing a solid line or changing lanes without checking blind spots.

What are the most common injuries in side swipe accidents?

Over-correction is a serious problem in side swipe accidents. A driver who strikes another car might yank the steering wheel to the left or right and suddenly flip over or veer into oncoming traffic. At that point, more serious injuries can occur, such as:

Who is at fault in side swipe?

The driver who fails to maintain a single lane of travel is the party at fault for a sideswipe accident. Texas law imposes a duty to maintain a single lane of travel and not deviate from that lane unless it is safe to do so and proper signals are given.

What to do if you side swipe a car?

What should you do after a sideswipe accident? The first thing to do after a sideswipe is call 911. Even if the accident was minor, you must call the police and file a police report. Next, if your car is drivable, move your vehicle off the road to avoid obstructing traffic.

What 3 things do you do at an accident scene?

In this post, we'll enunciate a few things you should do at the scene of a car accident.Stop the Car. Remember that once the car accident has occurred, you must stop your vehicle. ... Check for Injuries. ... Call 911. ... Call the Police. ... Record Evidence. ... Note Things Around the Scene. ... Don't Leave the Scene. ... Call the Insurance Company.More items...

How do you handle at fault accident?

Even if you were fully at fault for a car accident, there are things you should do to protect your rights.Stop and Stay Safe. Stop and make sure you are out of the way of traffic. ... Report the Car Accident. Call the police to report the accident. ... Exchange Information. ... Document the Scene. ... Tell Your Insurance Company.

Does insurance cover sideswipe?

If someone on the street hits or sideswipes your parked car and you can prove who caused the damage, their insurance should cover you. If you don't know or can't prove who hit your car but have collision or UMPD coverage, your insurance should cover the damages.

Can you get whiplash from side swipe?

That said, some of the common injuries associated with sideswipe accidents include: Whiplash, due to the violent back and forth motion of the head and neck due to the collision. Broken bones, particularly arms, legs, hands, and feet on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Traumatic brain injury.

What is your first responsibility when approaching an accident scene?

As a first aider, the very first thing you should do upon arriving at an incident scene is to check for any hazards to yourself or bystanders. A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault?

Hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer after a car accident that was your fault is a good first step, before speaking to the insurance companies. Lawyers know how to deal with insurance companies and can help mitigate any claims that are made against you by the other parties involved in the accident.

Will my insurance pay if I am at fault?

If you are considered at fault for an accident or loss, your insurer won't be able to recover their costs if they've paid for your repairs. Not only that, the third party or their insurer will probably claim back their own costs from your insurance company.

How do insurance companies determine who is at fault?

Insurance company adjusters determine fault in an auto accident after reviewing the police report and other evidence. They may also ask you and the other driver questions about the collision to try to piece together a reliable narrative of what happened.

How to Tell Who Sideswiped Who

Insurance companies may find it easy to dispute liability in a sideswipe collision. To determine fault and develop an argument to tell who sideswip...

Sideswipe accident scenarios

Sideswipe accident scenarios include distracted driving such as texting, eating, or applying makeup while making a lane change and ignoring their b...

How do insurance companies decide who is at fault

Insurance companies will conduct an investigation and take statements of the drivers, passengers, and witnesses as well as inspect the vehicles to...

Why sideswipe collisions are the most dangerous type of collision?

Sideswipe collisions are dangerous and even deadly. When drivers are driving at a high rate of speed such as on a highway, knee jerk reactions to o...

How many sideswipe accidents are there in the US?

According to recent statistics provided by the Insurance Information Institute, there were 940 fatal sideswipe accidents in the United States in a year’s time.

What happened to the truck driver in the crash?

The truck driver was either ejected or forced from the cab due to the explosion and died at the scene. The mini-van driver suffered moderate injuries. The driver of the sedan was uninjured. A sideswipe accident is a type of accident that occurs when the side of one vehicle scrapes against the side of another vehicle.

What happens if you turn too wide on a tractor trailer?

If one vehicle turns too wide or too tightly, it could cause a sideswipe event with the vehicle alongside it. This is a particular risk with tractor-trailers, which require wide turns to accommodate the size of the truck.

Why would someone fail to stay in their own lane?

The reasons why someone would fail to stay in their own lane include: Improper passing, such as not fully entering the passing lane and sideswiping a vehicle while attempting to overtake it. Attempting to change travel lanes at the same time that someone else is also attempting to enter the same lane of travel.

What are some examples of good driving behavior?

Examples of good driving behavior include: Always using a turn signal when changing lanes to communicate your intentions to other drivers. Always checking your blind spot and your mirrors before changing lanes. Avoiding driving when you’re fatigued, distracted, or impaired by alcohol.

What is aggressive driving?

Aggressive driving or road rage, which include dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding and threading traffic. Road rage also produces behaviors such as intentionally ramming or sideswiping another vehicle in an attempt to run it off the road.

Can you avoid driving when you're distracted?

That said, yes, if everyone pays close attention to the road, we can prevent all sideswipe accidents.

What to do if you are involved in a side swipe accident in Houston?

If you are involved in a side-swipe car accident in Houston, take the following steps: Call emergency services (911) . If you believe that you were not injured in your car accident, you should still keep a record of the facts.

Why do side swipe accidents happen?

Sideswipe accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common scenarios include: Distracted driver texting, playing with his phone, stereo or navigation system. Distracted driver on the phone that doesn’t look for their blind spot when making a lane change.

How many sideswipe accidents occur in a year?

According to data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), 242,000 sideswipe crashes occur every year. Sideswipe accidents cause about 27,000 injuries and more than 2,500 fatalities each year.

Why do police officers dispute sideswipe accidents?

Because sideswipe accidents often appear to cause minimal damages , police officers oftentimes don’t go through the entire investigation process. Likewise, insurance companies can find it easy to dispute a claim in a sideswipe accident due to the lack evidence to substantiate the claim.

What is a side wipe accident?

Sideswipe accidents occur when the sides of two vehicles – which are traveling in the same or opposite direction – make impact. The two vehicles make contact, usually when one driver tries to make a lane change and doesn’t see that there’s another car in his blind spot. Sideswipes are often referred to as “blind spot accidents.”.

What happens if a truck sideswipes a small car?

For instance, if a truck sideswipes a small car, the passenger car’s occupants will likely suffer severe injuries due to the size and weight differences.

What is a sidewipe?

Merging sideswipe, when a car merges onto another road or highway and fails to yield. While many sideswipe accidents only cause property damage, including unsightly scratches and jammed doors, many other sideswipe accidents can be deadly, especially those when the cars are both traveling at a high rate of speed.

What is a sideswipe accident?

Sideswipe accidents are typically caused when one of two cars traveling next to each drifts into the other’s lane, causing the sides of the cars to brush against one another. Multiple moving vehicles are not always involved, however, as sideswipe accidents can occur between a vehicle and a stationary object, such as a road sign, building, or a parked vehicle. Regardless of the kind of sideswipe accident, there is a great potential for injury, and most of the can actually be avoided.

Why do side swipes happen?

Sideswipe accidents can occur because of a variety of different circumstances. These are often referred to as “blind spot” accidents, since they can happen when a driver fails to check their car’s blindspot before changing lanes, therefore brushing into a car driving next to them in that lane already. Distractions are also a leading cause of sideswipe accidents. Dropping something within the car and bending down to pick it up, or turning to look in the backseat while driving can cause a driver’s hands to shift on the steering wheel, making the vehicle edge into the next lane.

What are the two most common types of sideswipe accidents?

The two most common types of sideswipe accidents occur when changing lanes and when merging. This article will address who is at fault in a car accident when changing lanes. It will also address who is at fault when merging. All cars have a duty to stay in their lane of travel and not leave it unless it is safe to do so.

What is the obligation of a car driver before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, a car driver has the obligation to ensure that it is safe to do so. What the driver needs to do will depend on the circumstances. In general, the driver must make sure there is enough room to enter the other lane.

What happens when a non-merging driver fails to merge?

When the non-merging vehicle fails to do so, they can have some fault in causing the accident. Common ways the non-merging driver can have some fault are:

Why do drivers fail to anticipate the middle lane is clear before switching lanes?

Common reasons drivers fail to anticipate the middle lane is clear before switching lanes are: Failing to look at the cars that are two lanes over before entering the middle lane. Failing to see the car two lanes over has their turn signal on and is already switching lanes into the middle lane.

What happens if a driver does not change lanes?

The driver that does not change lanes has an obligation to pay attention to the movement of the other cars and drive a safe speed for the conditions. When a driver fails to do these things, they can have some fault for an accident when another driver changes lanes.

What happens when two cars switch lanes?

When both cars are switching lanes, they probably both have some fault in causing an accident. This commonly occurs when there are three lanes or more of travel in one direction. A car in the outside lane attempts to move into the center lane at the same time a car in the inside lane attempts to move into the center lane.

Why do cars collide in the middle lane?

Both cars will usually have some fault because neither car has the right of way to enter the middle lane. They both have an obligation to ensure the middle lane is clear before they switch lanes.

What is a sideswipe accident?

Some others, however, do not adhere to these rules and instead get in accidents. A common type of accident is a sideswipe. Although it is sometimes a benign accident that merely damages vehicles, it can also be greatly impactful and cause injuries if the cars lose control and crash. You should be sure to pursue legal help if you were involved in a sideswipe accident and you suffered physical injuries. Our experienced team of attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group in Los Angeles can help you with your case. We are willing to do all it takes to secure you a fair settlement, and we will not stop until you are satisfied with the result.

What can you collect from a sideswipe collision?

If you have been injured in a sideswipe collision, you can collect various types of compensation for your damages. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to collect both economic and non-economic damages from the responsible party. With the help of our attorneys, you can receive coverage for expenses that have numerical amounts and those that don’t. We can assist you in receiving the maximum compensation available under the law, including coverage for: – Medical expenses, such as surgery costs, medication fees, hospitalization bills, ambulatory transportation, physical therapy expenses, and future medical procedures – Lost wages, as well as any additional lost income that you will suffer because of future medical treatments or time needed to recover – Property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings that were harmed, broken, or lost in the accident – Pain and suffering, or emotional damages, such as PTSD, anxiety, fear, psychological stress, and more – Punitive damages, which are handed out in times of gross negligence or when the responsible party attempts to cause harm on purpose; however, these damages are difficult to win, and only a talented lawyer will be able to secure them for your case – Wrongful death expenses in the event that a family member or loved one passes away as a result of the crash; these damages include pre-death medical bills, pre-death pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, loss of expected savings, loss of inheritance, loss of consortium, and more You should not be expected to have to pay for the expenses that accrued after an accident if you were sideswiped by another car. The negligent driver should be held responsible for your costs.

What happens when you sidewipe?

All too often, these accidents lead to severe crashes; the driver may try to swerve out of the way or may not be able to regain control of his car after it’s been hit. The crashes can result in severe injuries and damages to numerous parties. A sideswipe accident can be caused by someone not checking his blind spot, merging into another lane when someone else is merging from the other side, merging onto the freeway without speeding up or slowing down to match traffic, and much more. Certain individuals may be negligent and look at their phones while driving, or they may be speeding and unable to stop in time. Others even go so far as to drive while inebriated, which can alter perception and make it hard to gauge distance and speed.

How long does it take to file a personal injury claim?

Personal injury lawsuits can only be filed up to two years after the injury has occurred. If you do not file a claim within this time period, you will not be able to receive any compensation at any point in time for your damages. It can be difficult to remember the exact day of the injury and how much time you have left, and we recommend hiring a skilled lawyer to help you file your documents and get all of your evidence submitted on time. You may be eligible for the statute of limitations to be tolled, or temporarily suspended. This extension of the deadline can occur in various ways; most commonly, it is because you were underage at the time of the accident, in which case the time limit would begin counting down on your 18th birthday. A severe injury may also have impaired your mind or body and left you unable to pursue legal help; the statute, therefore, would begin when you returned to functioning health.

How does Downtown LA Law Group work?

Downtown LA Law Group in Los Angeles promises to do everything we can to bring you the maximum compensation available under the law. We will aggressively hunt for your fair settlement, and if we need to take your case to court to prove that your rights were violated and that you deserve a hefty settlement, we will do so. We will work hard to provide the judge and jury with the necessary evidence. You are our highest priority, and we dedicate ourselves to helping you. We will always be transparent and honest with you, and ensuring that you are safe and healthy during the case is equally as important. Call us today at (888) 649-7166 to set up a free legal consultation with one of our skilled lawyers. We are available around the clock and will gladly tell you what you need to know about your case, including its value, the potential of winning, and how long it may take. We will answer all of your questions. Further, we will give you our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you won’t have to pay any out of pocket expenses for our services – we will not get paid unless and until we win, and the money will come from the settlement we bring you. To learn more and to get started, give us a call at (888) 649-7166: the Downtown LA Law Group. We will help you sort out your sideswipe accident lawsuit and represent you against the insurance agency.

What is a sideswipe accident?

A sideswipe accident is an all too common occurrence on the roads, whether in South Carolina or anywhere else nationwide. Sideswiping happens when one vehicle strikes another at a glancing angle. A sideswipe accident can lead to serious consequences, ranging from significant injuries to more fatal circumstances.

What happens if you side-swiped your car because your brakes failed?

If the other driver sideswiped your vehicle because their brakes failed, the car manufacturer could be held at fault. If you happen to live in a no-fault state, your insurance company pays for damages to your vehicle and your person.

Why do cars collide in the same direction?

Another instance is when two cars traveling side by side in the same direction collide because one car goes outside of its lane and makes contact with the side of the other vehicle. Sideswiping can also happen when cars are moving in opposite directions.

What happens if you don't violate a traffic law?

Even if the driver didn’t violate a particular traffic law, you could hold him or her at fault if you found that he or she was distracted in the build-up. That driver may have been texting or eating while driving, or they may have been exhausted or watching roadside events.

Why are side wipes dangerous?

Sideswipe accidents are dangerous because the sides of most vehicles provide the least protection for drivers and passengers. If you own an older car, this is notable because such cars aren’t as crash-resistant given they lack side-impact airbags as well as reinforced steel beams in the doors.

What are the violations of the California Turn Signal Act?

Such violations include not using a turn signal when appropriate, speeding, crossing a solid line or changing lanes without checking blind spots. The other driver may otherwise have failed to yield right-of-way, weaved between cars, not left enough space between cars to enter a lane or driven while intoxicated.

What is the importance of having an attorney for your injuries?

Having an attorney who can do all this while you get the care you need for your injuries is very helpful. An attorney’s experience is necessary for such a situation as he or she knows who to call upon, how to negotiate with insurance companies, and so on.

Side-Swipe Collisions And How They Happen

Most sideswipe car accidents happen when both cars are driving next to each and one car merges lanes into the neighboring car. Many times due to blind spots in the car or even a lack of attention or negligence.

What is the Primary Cause of Side-Swipe Accidents?

In recent times with mobile phones and smart cars, distraction has become a primary concern as the cause of side swipe accidents and many other accidents in general. It can be difficult to determine who is at fault for the accident due to their very nature. The most common reasons why a driver may become distracted include:

The Dangers of Sideswipe Car Accidents?

Recent design of cars, they have taken precautions by adding protection to the front and the back of the vehicles. When a sideswipe accident occurs, the vehicle or object that collides with yours ends up being just inches away from your body. Even though in theory, side impact airbags will help the risk for serious injury is still there.

Causes

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Sideswipe accidents can occur because of a variety of different circumstances. These are often referred to as “blind spot” accidents, since they can happen when a driver fails to check their car’s blindspot before changing lanes, therefore brushing into a car driving next to them in that lane already. Distractions are also a leading …
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Lasting Affects

  • More often than not, people think of sideswipe accidents as being minor occurrences, resulting in only damage to the cars, rarely affecting those inside. This is untrue, however, as these kinds of accidents can easily cause a loss of control over the vehicle(s), and may even start a domino effect between multiple cars. Even if this is not the case, drivers can often overcorrect and pull t…
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Recoverable Damages

  • If you or a loved one has been injured in a sideswipe collision, the Car Accident Lawyers at Eric Blank Injury Attorneys can help you recover compensation for the damages and injuries that you have received. You may be entitled to receive compensation for the following: 1. Medical Expenses: You may receive compensation for the cost of medical trans...
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Obtaining Legal Representation

  • The experienced auto accident attorneys at Eric Blank Injury Attorneys can lessen the stress and frustration that comes to auto accident victims. Our team of Personal Injury Attorneys can help you: 1. Obtain medical records and bills from hospitals and treating physicians; 2. Recommend follow-up treatment options; 3. Obtain information from insurance companies; 4. Submit settlem…
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