Driving in San Diego may be difficult at times, owing to the busy traffic and an inflow of tourists. Car accidents are not uncommon on busy highways and crowded intersections. Not all such car accidents take place in the same manner. Head-on car accidents and rear-end collisions are more commonplace than sideswipe accidents.
You may feel a sideswipe accident is not a serious mishap. However, on closer analysis, you will realize such collisions can also lead to serious injuries and vehicle damage. The worst thing is insurance firms may try to dismiss such accidents as minor, denying proper compensation. In such scenarios, you need the intervention of a veteran car accident attorney.
What is a sideswipe car accident, and how does it occur?
A sideswipe accident takes place when two cars traveling in the same or opposing directions collide on their sides. These accidents occur when the driver:
- Fails to check the blind spots well before lane changing.
- Drifts into the wrong lane for some reason.
- Makes reckless lane changes.
- Takes incorrect turns on ramps and highways.
A sideswipe accident can cause vehicle damage, especially if it occurs at a high speed. The affected car may lose control, swerve, and hit other vehicles, pedestrians, etc., leading to a complex accident.
Injuries caused in sideswipe car accidents
A sideswipe accident can cause serious injuries, especially when the clash takes place on busy roads or when both vehicles are moving at high speed. In many such cases, the car drivers and passengers may end up with whiplash and neck injuries. Small fractures can also occur, as can soft tissue injuries. Lacerations and cuts can occur if the window glass breaks during the impact.
If you get involved in a sideswipe accident and there is no visible injury or swelling, do not delay a clinical checkup. Some soft tissue injuries do not show immediate symptoms. For nuanced legal advice on such cases, consult seasoned attorneys at hhjtrialattorneys.com.
Fault determination in a sideswipe accident
Determining fault in sideswipe car accidents may not be easy. Usually, the driver failing to stay in the designated lane is held liable, but multiple complications can be avoided. So, veteran car accident attorneys’ resort to proven tactics to determine the liability in such cases.
- Such legal experts gather all traffic data, including CCTV footage and drone clips, if available. They may also use advanced AI software simulations to reconstruct the mishap scene and decide the fault digitally.
- They may also consult car experts to assess the damage caused to the client’s vehicle. This helps them in getting proper compensation from the insurance firms.
- They may also use relevant documents and traffic records to prove their clients adhere to traffic norms in the past.
Conclusion
Getting proper compensation in sideswipe car accidents may not be a cakewalk. A veteran car accident attorney can help you overcome the hurdles. Ensure you hire the right attorney and offer him/her all types of information and relevant records. Following the attorney’s advice to deal with the case’s opponents and other involved parties would be prudent