Sideswipe accidents happen when two vehicles are driving in the same direction, and the right side of one vehicle impacts the left side of the other.
Sideswipe car accidents can cause serious injuries and damage to the parties involved because neither car can see the accident coming or try to avoid the impact.
With Harry Albritton of Irons & Irons P.A., our car accident attorneys understand how serious and complicated a sideswipe accident can be for the victims, and we zealously advocate for our clients that are hurt in sideswipe accidents across North Carolina.
Damage Caused by Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe car damage is a serious matter. These types of accidents can be extremely dangerous if it occurs on the interstate and at high speeds.
The surprise and force of the impact can cause the driver to try and overcompensate in order to maintain control of the vehicle, which then causes a series of events that can lead to the car swerving into other lanes, crossing the median, and impacting other vehicles, guardrails, or other objects.
Another common instinct is to hit the brakes after impact, which can then lead to vehicles traveling behind the car to crash, causing even further damage.
Sideswipe accidents can occur for a number of reasons, but most of the time the simple fact is that one driver is not paying enough attention while behind the wheel. Some of the most common causes of sideswipe accidents includes
- drivers failing to check blind spots,
- drivers drifting into other lanes while distracted,
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- road rage,
- racing or reckless driving,
- failing to signal during a lane shift,
- merging without checking for traffic,
- two drivers changing lanes at the same time, and
- hydroplaning on wet roads.
Compensation for Sideswipe Accidents
Victims of sideswipe accidents can collect economic and noneconomic damages for the injuries caused by the accident.
Economic damages refer to the out of pocket costs of the accident, which can include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and lost future income and benefits.
Noneconomic damages refer to the less tangible harms, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Sideswipe Accident Fault: Who Gets Compensated?
North Carolina is one of the few states that still operates under a pure contributory fault standard for car accidents.
This means that if you are found even one percent at fault for the accident, you are barred from recovering any compensation for your claims. The driver of the other vehicle must be found completely at fault for the accident in order to collect compensation for your injuries.
Sideswipe accidents can be very difficult to prove fault, especially when both parties claim that the other driver caused the accident. It is very important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney working on your case.
Our Office Can Help
Obtaining the legal services of a top quality personal injury attorney is critical to the success of a sideswipe accident case.
Within hours or days of the accident, the insurance companies will begin building a case that places you at fault for the accident, or mitigates the damages as much as possible for the case. An attorney and their team will open their own investigation into the case, collecting evidence like photos, videos, reports, and witness statements to prove that the other party is at fault for the accident.
A lawyer will also shield you from the insurers who are trying to get you to make a statement against your own best interests. By hiring a lawyer, the insurance companies are required to go through your attorney for all communication and negotiation on your case.
An experienced personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case and know what the full and fair value of your claims should be and will not settle until you are given what you are owed. If the insurers are not willing to settle fairly, your lawyer can take the case to trial and make the best possible arguments for compensation in front of a judge and jury.
Sideswipe accidents are particularly difficult cases to argue, so you want someone with experience handling these cases by your side every step of the way.
Contact Our Attorneys Today
If you were involved in a sideswipe accident and have questions about your case, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help. Call our office at (252) 752-2485 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your car accident claims. We promise to help injured victims and their families recover the compensation and benefits they deserve.