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When driving in Charleston, especially on narrow roads or in bad weather, a driver in one lane can swerve into another lane and collide with another driver. This type of collision is called a sideswipe. While the force of impact of these crashes is usually less severe than that of other types of crashes, significant destruction of property and injury can occur. The right sideswipe accident lawyer will get you the compensation you deserve from any collision. If you or a loved one have experienced significant loss as a result of a sideswipe accident, call on a car accident lawyer with a record of winning.
Understanding Sideswipe Accidents
The label of “sideswipe accident” can be applied to any collision in which one car in motion makes contact with the side of another vehicle. Both cars might be in motion at any speed.
Direction of movement does not matter; the two vehicles involved might be moving in the same or opposite directions. A sideswipe might also occur when one car is moving, but the other is not, such as when a car is parked on the street.
Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Individuals and families are impacted by the aftermath of sideswipe accidents every day. While no two collisions are exactly the same, there are some common reasons why sideswipe accidents might occur.
- Understeering or oversteering. On many roads, steep curves can cause collisions. When a car oversteers, it might turn too hard and drive directly into another car’s path. When understeering occurs, a car does not take a turn hard enough and drifts into another lane.
- Distracted driving. The use of wireless communication devices, such as smartphones, while driving is strictly prohibited under South Carolina law. However, plenty of drivers hit the road every day with a phone in hand. Drivers who don’t have their eyes on the path ahead may not notice a turn and unintentionally veer into another lane.
- Improper merging. When shifting from one lane to another, a driver should signal and be sure to check all blind spots before attempting to move over. If a blind spot is missed, a driver runs the risk of swiping the side of another moving vehicle.
- Driving while drowsy. Much like other forms of distraction, driving while at less than full mental capacity can lead to accidents. If a driver starts to doze off while in motion, they may not notice a turn or accidentally direct their car into another lane.
- Driving under the influence. Nowhere in the United States is it legal to drive while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances. Doing so can result in disastrous consequences.
Common Injuries from Sideswipe Accidents
The type of injury resulting from a sideswipe accident depends on the strength of force exerted on the two cars, the precise location of the vehicles, the speed at which both were moving, and a variety of other factors specific to each accident. Injuries that may result from sideswipe accidents include:
- Neck injuries. If the force of a collision knocks your head back and forth too quickly, you may be at a high risk of neck injury. This includes whiplash, an injury that results from many car accidents.
- Head injuries. The force of the airbag hitting a face, as well as contact the head makes with any object at high speeds, can result in head injuries. Even if you don’t see any open wounds, a sideswipe accident can lead to a concussion or other brain injuries.
- Broken bones. Depending on how your car was hit, you may suffer broken bones from the impact of the collision.
Legal Steps to Take After a Sideswipe Accident
After a sideswipe accident, there are a few steps that you can take to ensure that you receive proper compensation.
Get a Police Report
As soon as it is safely possible, contact law enforcement. A police officer can come to the scene and file a police report regarding the incident. They will want to ask you, the other driver, and any eyewitnesses what they think happened. Law enforcement will also likely look at any other evidence present on scene, such as skid marks on the road or damage done to vehicles and/or property.
File an Insurance Claim
Once law enforcement has been called, file a claim with your auto insurance company. They can start you on the path to receiving proper compensation.
Determining Liability in Sideswipe Accidents
Generally speaking, whoever did not follow motorist laws is at fault for a sideswipe accident.
However, few sideswipe cases are ever that cut and dry. Your insurance company will take a look at all of the evidence presented to them, including a police report, to determine who was at fault.
Sometimes, insurance adjusters will assign a percentage of liability to each driver involved in a collision.
When speaking with insurance, do your best to stick to the facts. Opinions logged during a recorded phone conversation may hurt your case later.
Compensation
In most cases, the driver most at fault is responsible for damages. This includes paying for medical compensation and vehicle repairs or replacement to other involved parties.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in a sideswipe accident, the insurance company may not be offering to pay you the full amount owed to you. In that case, it is wise to get a sideswipe accident attorney on your side.
How a Charleston Sideswipe Accident Lawyer Can Help
In a sideswipe accident, determining that you were not at fault can help get you the maximum amount of compensation owed to you. The team at Trey Harrell Auto Accident Attorney will review your case and help gather evidence to bolster your claim. We can help collect information after the accident occurred and speak to witnesses that saw what happened.
After a sideswipe accident, you and your family deserve a sideswipe accident lawyer that will fight for the best outcome both in and out of court. For a free consultation regarding your case, reach out to our team today.
