Sideswipe Accidents

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A sideswipe collision can happen in an instant. One moment you are driving down the road, and the next, you are involved in a collision. These accidents can be hazardous, especially if they occur on a busy highway. This blog post will discuss what to do if you are involved in a sideswipe accident. We will also provide some tips on how to avoid these accidents altogether.

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate. 

Get in touch with us today for a free consultation as soon as you can. Please contact us online or call (202) 659-8600. We will do what we can to protect your rights if you’ve suffered an injury due to the actions of a negligent driver.

If you've been involved in a sideswipe accident, contact us as soon as you can.

What is a Sideswipe Car Accident?

A sideswipe accident is a type of car collision that occurs when two vehicles collide while traveling in the same direction, but their side mirrors touch. Sideswipe collisions can be very dangerous, as they often result in serious injuries. In some cases, these accidents can even be fatal.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Sideswipe Accident

If you are involved in a sideswipe accident, there are several things that you should do:

-Stay calm and pull over to the side of the road.

-If you are able, take pictures of the damage done to both vehicles (including their license plates). These will be helpful when filing an insurance claim.

-Check on the safety of yourself and your passengers.

-Call 911 or the police department to report the accident.

-Get contact information from the other drivers involved in the accident.

-Contact an accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Causes of Sideswipe Accidents

sideswipe accident victim

There are several factors that can contribute to a sideswipe accident. Some of the most common causes include:

Distracted driving (including texting and talking on the phone)

Driver fatigue

-Illegal maneuvers (such as making a lane change without signaling)

-Icy or wet roads

-Poor road conditions (such as potholes or uneven pavement)

Why are Sideswipe Accidents So Dangerous?

When a sideswipe accident occurs, it can be hazardous, resulting in serious injuries. In some cases, these injuries can be life-threatening. Additionally, these accidents can cause a lot of damage to both vehicles involved, leading to expensive car repairs and insurance company claims.

Potential Injuries that Can Result from Sideswipe Accidents

Some of the most common injuries that can result from a sideswipe accident include:

Concussions or other Brain Injuries

Broken bones

Wrongful Death

Bruises

-Cuts

-Lacerations

Whiplash

How is Fault in a Sideswipe Accident Determined?

To determine fault in a sideswipe accident, you, of course,  must know who was driving when the accident occurred. You can obtain this information from law enforcement officers at the scene of the crash or by requesting an accident report from your local police department (if one was filed). Often in a sidewipe accident the at-fault driver will try to blame you if there was a lane change.  In that event, witnesses can be important.   Try to obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of any witnesses.

 Potential Damages in a Sideswipe Accident

If you are involved in a sideswipe accident, you may be able to recover damages for the following:

-Medical expenses

-Vehicle repairs

-Lost wages

-Pain and suffering

Emotional distress

-Property damage

If you have suffered an injury in a sideswipe accident, you must contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will review your case and determine whether or not you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries.

If so, they can help guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against those responsible for causing your accident. In some cases, this could mean negotiating with opposing counsel on behalf of their clients (such as in settlement negotiations).

They can also represent you during a trial. This is where both parties present their arguments before a judge and jury to decide who is at fault.

What Can I Do to Help My Car Accident Claim?

documenting evidence after a sideswipe accident

If you have been injured in a car accident, there are several things that you can do to help your claim.

The most important thing will be to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This will ensure that any injuries sustained during the incident are properly treated and documented by trained professionals who specialize in treating such cases (such as emergency room doctors or registered nurses). Symptoms of serious injuries may take time to fully appear, so it is critical to seek medical aid for even minor injuries.

Another essential step to take will be to hire an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to help build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

An attorney may, for instance, be able to obtain evidence you probably could not gather on your own. This could include footage from any security cameras positioned near the scene of the accident. For example, there might have been a camera at a nearby gas station or convenience store parking lot that can show what happened. There could also be cameras in office buildings near where the accident occurred.

Proving fault in a car accident can be difficult, which is why it is important to hire a good attorney. Your attorney will work to prove that the other driver was responsible for causing your injuries and damages through their negligent or reckless behavior. 

The best way to determine if you have a case is by contacting an experienced car accident attorney who can review your claim and advise whether or not you may be eligible for compensation. They will also guide the next steps regarding filing a lawsuit against those responsible.

How Can I Avoid a Sideswipe Accident?

There are several things that you can do to avoid getting into a sideswipe accident:

-Always use your turn signals when changing lanes.

-Be aware of your surroundings and be cautious when driving in busy areas.

-Always check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging into another lane of traffic.

-Maintain an appropriate following distance between yourself and vehicles in front of you so that if they have to stop abruptly, there will be enough time for you to do so as well.

-Keep your vehicle in good condition so it is less likely to break down on the road and cause other drivers problems while trying to drive past you safely.

Above all, stay focused on your driving and avoid distractions at all costs. This includes avoiding texting, talking on the phone, eating in your car, etc. If you need to make a call or send a text message while behind the wheel, pull over first.

The same goes for any other activity that could distract you from driving safely. For example: if you drop something under your seat, don’t reach down and try to grab it while driving; instead, stop somewhere safe so that you can retrieve it without being a hazard to other drivers on the road.

Sideswipe accidents can be hazardous, but you can help reduce your risk of being involved in one by following these tips. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a sideswipe accident, remember to stay calm and take steps to protect yourself and your passengers.

sideswipe accident damages

Why Hire Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.?

The car accident attorneys with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a decades-long track record of success in these kinds of cases. These are just a few of the results we’ve been able to achieve on behalf of our clients:

  • $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
  • $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
  • $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
  • $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
  • $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
  • $1 million settlement on behalf of client suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

We Will Be Ready to Help

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to a personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.

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