What Is a Sideswipe Collision?
A “sideswipe” collision happens when the sides of two vehicles brush or scrape each other, often occurring during lane changes, merges, or a distracted driver drifting out of their lane. Although sideswipes may look minor, they can set off a chain reaction of more serious car accidents and cause significant injuries.
What Leads to Sideswipe Accidents?
Drivers may fail to check a blind spot before moving over, pick up a phone call, change the radio station, or simply look away from the road—and any of these distractions can cause their vehicle to veer unexpectedly. Alcohol or drug impairment can also dull a driver’s reaction times and judgment, making sideswipe collisions more likely. Plus, aggressive maneuvers in heavy traffic—like cutting off another car without signaling—can easily lead to dangerous side-impact crashes.
Why Are Sideswipes More Serious Than They Look?
At first glance, a scraped fender or bumper might not seem like a big deal. But the impact of a sideswipe collision can jolt drivers or passengers and lead to whiplash, back strains, and even head injuries. Additionally, when a car receives an impact to its side, the force can spin the vehicle into adjoining lanes or off the road entirely, into oncoming traffic or roadside objects.
What Types of Injuries Can Occur?
Whiplash tops the list in sideswipe cases, as the neck snaps back and forth during impact. Victims may also experience chronic neck pain, herniated discs, or lingering headaches.
If the side airbags fail to deploy on time (or even at all), the victims of the collision could hit their head on the interior door or window, leading to facial cuts, broken bones, and head trauma. Even glass shards can cause deep lacerations.
Who Is Typically at Fault in a Sideswipe?
The law often holds the driver who merged lanes accountable for the crash, as merging vehicles usually need to yield. However, if both drivers drifted into the same space simultaneously, or if road defects forced a swerve, the involved parties could share blame.
Investigators use skid marks, damage patterns, traffic camera footage, police reports, photos of the scene, and witness accounts to untangle what happened.
What Compensation Is Available After a Sideswipe?
Sideswipe victims can pursue compensation for medical bills, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. They can also file a claim to cover any lost wages and reduced earning capacity, especially if their injuries prevent them from returning to work. Additionally, courts have awarded victims with pain and suffering compensation to address their physical discomfort and emotional distress, as well as property damage payment to cover vehicle repairs or replacement costs.
Let the Skilled Lackawanna Car Accident Lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys Help You Get the Compensation That You Deserve
If a sideswipe collision has turned your life upside down, you do not have to face the consequences alone. The Lackawanna car accident lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys bring more than 30 years of courtroom experience to every case, recovering hundreds of millions in settlements and judgments for everyday clients. Located in Hamburg, New York, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas. For a free case review, call us today at 716-648-3030 or fill out our online contact form.
