The Dangers of Sideswipe Car Accidents By Rocky Walton on November 27, 2019

If you've been injured in a sideswipe car accident, having a car accident attorney on your side can help get you a fair settlement. Representing clients injured in sideswipe car accidents in and around Arlington, TX, attorney Roger “Rocky” Walton can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

About Sideswipe Car Accidents

Sideswipe car accidents occur when the sides of two vehicles collide. The two cars may be driving in the same direction or opposite directions at the time of impact, and one or both drivers may be at fault.

Sideswipe accidents usually occur when one driver tries to make a lane change. Drivers can hit another car if the vehicle is in a blind spot or they failed to properly check and make sure the other lane was clear.

Sometimes, sideswipe accidents occur when a driver grazes a stationary object, like a road block or a parked car.

As a result of a sideswipe accident, the impacted vehicle may be pushed into a guardrail, a road block, or another moving vehicle.

Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents can occur for many of the same reasons as other accidents, like driving while distracted, driving under the influence, or driving while fatigued, but some causes more specific to sideswipe accidents include:

Failure to check blind spots before lane changes
Failure to yield when merging onto the freeway
Failure to signal when changing lanes
Two vehicles driving into the same lane at the same time

Sideswipe Car Accidents Can Be Dangerous

Sideswipe accidents can be deceptively dangerous to Arlington drivers. Even though the impact is on the side of a vehicle in a sideswipe accident, injuries can be severe. And what can make sideswipe car accidents even more dangerous is when they set off a chain of accidents.

One or both drivers may quickly turn their steering wheel or swerve to avoid the initial impact. Unfortunately, if such abrupt movements are done without looking, another vehicle could be hit, resulting in a more serious accident.

Quickly turning the wheel to avoid a sideswipe collision may also lead to a rollover accident or cause a driver to lose control of the car. Add freeway speeds into the equation, and sideswipe accidents can be deadly, not just for the people directly involved in the collision but also for other vehicles on the road.

Sideswipe Accidents and Serious Injury

Although some people are fortunate enough not to suffer serious injuries in a sideswipe accident, some aren't so lucky. Sideswipe accidents can result in serious injuries, including:

Lacerations
Broken bones
Neck injuries
Spinal injuries
Traumatic brain injuries

Determining Fault Can Be Difficult

It can be difficult to determine fault in a sideswipe accident, especially when multiple vehicles become involved. Even in sideswipe accidents involving two vehicles, determining if one party is solely to blame or if both are more or less at fault can be a challenge.

It's important for those in Arlington who have been injured in a sideswipe car accident to have an attorney knowledgeable in sideswipe accidents on their side to help present a clear picture of the accident to insurance companies so that they may get a fair settlement.