These accidents may seem minor but can cause serious damage and injuries. If you have been involved in a sideswipe collision, getting the right help is crucial. Working with a Dallas car accident lawyer can make a big difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
At Patterson Law Group, our Dallas sideswipe accident attorney has decades of experience helping individuals in Dallas and across Texas protect their rights after accidents. We are here to help you understand your rights and fight to protect them.
Risks of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents usually happen when two vehicles travel next to each other and one moves into the other vehicle’s lane. One of the most significant risks comes from blind spots—areas around the vehicle that the driver can’t see using mirrors alone. When a driver doesn’t check their blind spots before changing lanes, they could end up causing a sideswipe accident.
These types of accidents are more common than you might think. According to national traffic statistics, thousands of sideswipe accidents happen yearly involving passenger vehicles. These crashes can lead to severe injuries, especially when drivers are speeding, or the vehicles involved are large, like trucks.
Side Impact Collisions: What You Need to Know
A sideswipe accident occurs when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle traveling in the same or opposite direction. These accidents often happen during lane changes or merges. While they may not always seem serious at first, sideswipe accidents can lead to significant damage or even fatalities.
The danger lies in the loss of control after the initial impact. A vehicle may veer off the road, hit another car, or crash into a barrier. Fatal outcomes are more likely when high speeds or a collision causes one or both cars to spin out.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents can happen for various reasons, many of which are avoidable. Here are some of the most common causes:
Blind Spots
As mentioned earlier, blind spots are a significant cause of sideswipe accidents. Blind spots are areas around the vehicle that a driver can’t see using just their mirrors, and they’re one of the most common reasons for sideswipe accidents.
Drivers must turn their heads and double-check these areas before changing lanes to ensure there isn’t another vehicle in the way. Failing to check blind spots can easily lead to hitting a car in the next lane.
Distracted Driving
In 2023, distracted driving caused one out of every six accidents in Texas. Any activity that can pull a driver’s attention away from the road can lead to deadly crashes.
When someone’s not fully focused on driving, they might accidentally drift into another lane and sideswipe a car. Even just a few seconds of distraction can be enough to cause a serious accident.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive drivers often change lanes without signaling, speed through traffic, or try to squeeze into small gaps between cars. This behavior makes it much more likely that they’ll sideswipe someone else’s vehicle, risking their own safety and putting others in danger.
Poor Road Conditions
Bad weather, like rain or snow, and hazards like potholes or uneven roads can make it hard for drivers to control their cars. When drivers hit a pothole or lose grip on a wet road, they might accidentally slide into another lane and sideswipe a car. Poor road conditions require extra caution to avoid accidents.
Driver Fatigue
Tired drivers have slower reaction times and might even nod off at the wheel. This can cause them to unknowingly drift into another lane, resulting in a sideswipe accident and driving when sleepy is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
High Speeds
Failing to control speed is Texas’s leading cause of crashes, accounting for more than 138,000 accidents in 2023 alone. When drivers are speeding, they have less time to react to cars around them, making it easier to lose control and sideswipe another vehicle.
The faster a car goes, the harder it is to correct mistakes, which increases the risk of accidents. Speeding also makes any collisions more dangerous due to the higher impact.
Common Injuries and Long-Term Consequences
In a sideswipe accident, injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Severe head injuries: The impact can cause the head to jerk, leading to concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord damage: This can lead to long-term paralysis or other mobility issues.
- Broken bones: The force of the collision may break bones in the arms, legs, or ribs.
- Internal organ damage: Even if there are no visible injuries, internal organs can be damaged, which can be life-threatening.
- Torn or strained muscles: The sudden force from the crash can strain or tear muscles, causing pain and long recovery times.
How is Fault Determined in Sideswipe Car Accidents?
Determining who is at fault in a sideswipe accident can be tricky, but several factors are usually considered:
- Witness Statements: People who saw the accident can provide valuable information about what happened.
- Police Reports: The police officer at the scene will create a report that may indicate who they believe is at fault.
- Vehicle Damage: The location of the damage on each car can help show how the accident happened.
- Video Footage: Dashcams, traffic, or security cameras can provide video evidence of the crash.
- Physical Evidence: Skid marks, road debris, and other physical clues can also help determine fault.
Fault can vary depending on the situation. In some cases, only one driver is at fault, but both drivers may share responsibility in others.
Fighting for Maximum Compensation
After a sideswipe accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
Medical Charges
This includes hospital bills and costs for doctor visits, surgery, and emergency room treatments. You can also be compensated for follow-up care like physical therapy, medications, and any special equipment needed to help recover. If you need long-term care, that can be covered, too.
Lost Salary and Wages
If your injuries keep you from working, you can get paid back for the money you would have earned during the time you couldn’t work. This can include missed paychecks, bonuses, or even future wages if you’re out of work longer.
If your injuries stop you from returning to your old job, you can also get compensation for reduced earning potential.
Physical Discomfort and Distress
This is for the pain, discomfort, and emotional stress you experience because of the accident. It covers things like ongoing pain, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or depression that make it hard to live your life like you did before. These non-physical issues can also greatly impact your day-to-day life, and you deserve to be compensated for that.
Damaged Property
You can ask for compensation to repair or replace your damaged vehicle or any other personal items affected, like a phone, laptop, or even clothes damaged in the crash. If your car is a total loss, meaning it can’t be fixed, you should get enough money to buy a similar car. The value of any personal belongings damaged in the accident can also be included in your claim.
Our Dallas sideswipe accident attorney will work hard to ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve, covering every area of damage. We will handle the legal process to ensure nothing is overlooked. It’s important to file your claim within the statute of limitations, which varies by state.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Handles Sideswipe Cases
A Dallas sideswipe car accident lawyer can help you through every step of your case. Here’s how:
Gathering Evidence
Your attorney will collect important things like police reports, medical records, and accident scene photos to build a strong case. If available, they might also gather witness statements and video footage to support your claim.
Consulting with Experts
Your lawyer might talk to experts, like accident reconstruction specialists, to help show exactly how the crash happened. These experts can explain technical details that strengthen your case in court or during negotiations.
Determining Fault
The lawyer will review all the evidence to determine who was responsible for the accident. They’ll examine the facts carefully to ensure that the right person or people are held accountable.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to pay less than you deserve, but your lawyer will fight to get you the most compensation. They’ll handle the back-and-forth, so you don’t have to deal with the stress of negotiations yourself.
Contact Our Dallas Sideswipe Car Accident Lawyer For Guidance
If you’ve been involved in a sideswipe accident, getting help from a top-rated sideswipe accident lawyer in Dallas can make a big difference. Dallas’s best sideswipe car accident lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
At Patterson Law Group, our no-win, no-fee sideswipe accident lawyers in Dallas have the experience and dedication to help you through this difficult time. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
