Sideswipe Car Accidents
When we hear “sideswipe” accident, it brings to mind minor fender-bender incidents with the inconvenience of a scratched paint job as the worst result. Still, when sideswipe car accidents occur on multi-lane roadways at high speeds, the results can be devastating, sometimes sending one or both vehicles careening off the road or into other lanes of traffic.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), about 1,600 fatalities occurred from sideswipes in a single recent year despite the fact that this type of accident makes up only 8.2% of two-car collisions.
What Are the Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents?
A sideswipe accident occurs when one vehicle strikes a glancing blow off the side of a second vehicle. Sideswipe accidents happen when cars move parallel to each other in the same direction on multi-lane highways or between vehicles traveling in opposite directions on two-lane roads. Most sideswipe accidents occur due to one driver’s negligence. The most common causes of sideswipes include the following:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Distracted driving
- Speeding (especially around curves)
- Improper passing
- Failure to signal a lane change or turn
- Obstacles in the roadway
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
- Poor visibility due to inclement weather
- Tire blowouts
When one vehicle departs from its lane and strikes the side of another vehicle in a sideswipe accident, it can cause injuries to the occupants of both cars. If a driver’s carelessness or reckless actions cause a sideswipe accident in fault-based insurance states like Georgia, they are liable for the damages caused to other motorists. Less commonly, a negligent road maintenance agency or the manufacturer of a defective auto part could be liable for damages after a sideswipe accident.
What Types of Injuries Happen In Sideswipe Car Accidents?
Sideswipes cause injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic, depending on the speed of both vehicles during the impact and whether or not one or both drivers lose control, causing a secondary collision, roadway departure, or rollover. Common injuries experienced in sideswipe accidents include the following:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains and strains) to shoulders, knees, wrists, ankles, and other body parts
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
- Internal organ injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial trauma
- Traumatic limb loss
Injuries in sideswipe accidents quickly become expensive when medical bills and related expenses pile up while the injury victim is unable to return to work. Depending on the severity of the injury, these damages may be temporary or permanent. Seeking an attorney to file a personal injury lawsuit can help victims recover compensation.
What Damages Do Accident Victims Recover After a Sideswipe Accident?
The consequences of a serious car accident often impact all aspects of the injury victim’s life. These repercussions of an accident are the “damages” in a car accident claim. A successful claim results in compensation for damages such as:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost income
- Future lost earnings
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages that may apply such as compensation for the loss of a limb or organ, the loss of hearing or vision, disfigurement, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
If a loved one dies from injuries suffered in a sideswipe accident caused by someone else’s negligence, close family members may file a wrongful death claim against the driver at fault.
How Can a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer in Georgia Help?
Fault-based insurance states require compelling evidence of a negligent driver’s liability for the damages caused to other motorists in an accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a sideswipe accident in Georgia, call an Atlanta car accident lawyer at Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC for experienced representation to get the most out of your accident claim.