Determining fault in a sideswipe car accident can be complicated. Every accident is different, and even if you think another driver sideswiped you and is at fault, liability can be shared between more than one party. If you have suffered serious personal injuries or vehicle damage in a sideswipe accident, you should consult with an experienced lawyer for help holding the responsible party accountable.
A sideswipe accident is when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. This can happen in a number of different ways, but often it is the result of a driver forgetting to check their blind spot before merging or changing lanes. This is especially common in situations where the road or highway has several lanes moving in the same direction. Because of their large blind spots, trucks are particularly susceptible to sideswipe accidents. A sideswipe accident can also happen when two lanes merge into one such as a ramp entering the highway.
Other sideswipe accidents happen when one of the vehicles is stationary and the other one is parking or trying to squeeze through a crowded street.
In addition to drivers failing to check their blind spots, sideswipe accidents commonly occur for the following reasons:
Sideswipe accidents are typically not as violent as a T-bone or head-on collision; however, they can still cause significant damage and serious injuries if contact is sudden and made at high speeds. This is because cars are designed to bear the brunt of an accident in the front or back and these areas have bumpers to absorb the impact of a crash. The sides of a vehicle offer much less protection from collisions.
If one driver suddenly moves out of their lane and sideswipes another car, that car may react by swerving and hitting other vehicles causing a multi-car pile-up. The car being sideswiped could crash into a guardrail, road sign, or concrete barrier. A sudden side impact can also cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and roll over. Injuries from these kind of serious sideswipe accidents can be devastating and life threatening such as:
There are a few ways to prove liability in a sideswipe accident. One is to examine the damage to each vehicle because usually the vehicle with the most damage at the point of impact is the one that was hit. If both vehicles exhibit significant damage where they collided, proving who was responsible could be more difficult.
Video footage can be extremely helpful in showing who caused an accident. Video may be available from dashboard cameras of vehicles involved in the accident or cars that were nearby. Surveillance footage from intersection cameras, neighborhood houses, or businesses may have captured what happened.
Liability for the accident can also be supported through eyewitness accounts. They may be able to report clearly what occurred, whereas the drivers involved in the accident were taken by surprise and preoccupied with getting control of the situation.
After a sideswipe accident or any accident, it is important to stay calm and take the following steps to protect your rights:
If you or someone you love was injured in a sideswipe car accident, the experienced Washington DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King can help. We will investigate the cause of the accident and fight to secure the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia, and National Harbor, Maryland, we work with clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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