Sideswipe Accidents: Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right, Here I Am
A sideswipe accident can cause serious injuries, especially if you lose control of your vehicle and cause a secondary accident. They’re also particularly deadly if the victim is a motorcyclist. If you or a family member are injured in a sideswipe accident, the Hicks Law Firm can help.
Our Costa Mesa car accident lawyers have successfully represented individuals like you injured in sideswipe accidents. Our team can help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. The first step is to schedule a complimentary case consultation by contacting us today.
What is a Sideswipe Accident?
A vehicle sideswipe accident is a traffic accident that occurs when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make contact along their sides.
How Do Sideswipe Accidents Occur?
Sideswipe accidents can happen for various reasons, including:
- Lane Changes: One of the most common scenarios is when a vehicle attempts to change lanes without checking blind spots or signaling properly, resulting in contact with a vehicle in the next lane
- Merging: When a vehicle is merging onto a highway or changing lanes, it may inadvertently collide with a vehicle already in the adjacent lane. In this situation, the driver in the travel lane has the right of way and may be unable to safely move out of the merging vehicle’s way
- Inattentiveness: Distracted driving, such as texting or using a mobile phone, can cause a driver to drift into another lane and collide with an adjacent vehicle
- Fatigue or Impairment: Fatigue, drowsiness, or impairment due to alcohol or drugs can affect a driver’s ability to maintain their lane, potentially leading to a sideswipe
- Slippery Roads: Adverse weather conditions like rain, ice, or snow can reduce tire traction, making it easier for a vehicle to slide sideways into another
All these accidents have one thing in common – driver error. Even if the road surface is slippery, if drivers don’t slow down and bring their vehicles under control, an accident is more likely.
How Bad Can a Sideswipe Accident Be?
Sideswipe accidents can range in severity. After the vehicles initially touch each other, both drivers may steer out of the accident and prevent injuries from happening. These collisions may also lead to chain reaction accidents involving multiple vehicles if the drivers lose control. Motorcyclists may be knocked off their motorcycle and struck by another vehicle.
What Injuries May Result from a Sideswipe Accident?
The types and severity of injuries can vary widely depending on several factors, including:
- The vehicles’ speed
- The vehicles’ size and type
- Whether seat belts are worn
- Whether airbags deployed
- Whether the sideswipe caused a second collision with another vehicle or object
Vehicle occupants are better protected in accidents that involve the front or rear of the vehicle because there’s an engine compartment in the front, and a trunk or storage space in the rear. They are “crumple zones” that at least partially absorb a collision’s impact. Though more recent vehicles have side airbags, only the doors separate occupants in a side collision.
Potential injuries include:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: They can include whiplash, strains, sprains, and contusions. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked, often due to the lateral motion of the impact
- Broken Bones: Fractures can occur, particularly in situations where the force of the impact is significant. Common fractures in sideswipe accidents may involve the arms, hands, ribs, or legs
- Head Injuries: While not as common as in frontal collisions, head injuries can still occur, especially if the vehicle’s side is struck near the occupant’s head. This can result in concussions, contusions, or even traumatic brain injuries
- Chest and Abdominal Injuries: Blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen can lead to injuries such as rib fractures, organ damage, or internal bleeding
- Spinal Injuries: While sideswipe accidents typically involve less severe forces on the spine than head-on collisions, it’s still possible to sustain spinal cord injuries or herniated discs, especially if the impact is severe
- Psychological Injuries: Experiencing a sideswipe accident can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals
No matter your injury, get medical treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment, the better your chances of a quicker recovery. The more you delay seeing a healthcare professional, the greater the chance your insurance claim will be denied because the carrier will claim you’re engaging in fraud. They’ll allege you’re trying to collect money for an injury that happened after the sideswipe accident.
How Can I Avoid a Sideswipe Accident?
You can prevent causing a sideswipe, and being a victim of one, by:
- Checking blind spots before changing lanes
- Using your turn signals to warn others where you’re going
- Staying in your lane by paying attention, avoiding distractions, and not speeding
- Checking your mirror regularly so you know what vehicles are behind and beside you so you know when it’s clear to change lanes. You may also notice the vehicle next to you is getting too close
- Driving defensively. You can speed up to pass a vehicle to cut the time you’re next to each other. Get out of the way of a vehicle that’s speeding, or weaving in and out of lanes
- If your vehicle has them, take advantage of advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring systems and lane departure warning systems
An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of accident cure. By driving carefully may prevent life-altering or deadly injuries to yourself and others.
FAQs: Answered by a Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer
1. Why should I consult a Costa Mesa car accident lawyer at Hicks Law Firm after a car accident?
When you or a loved one is involved in a car accident in Costa Mesa, it’s essential to seek legal advice from experienced professionals. At Hicks Law Firm, our attorneys have a successful track record of recovering millions of dollars for Southern California residents. Consulting our team ensures you have expert representation to navigate the complexities of car accident cases, protecting your rights and helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
2. What immediate steps should I take after a California car crash?
After a car accident in California, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and gather essential information. Follow these steps:
- Move your vehicle and yourself to a safe location.
- Check for injuries and call 911 if there are life-threatening injuries.
- Contact the police and provide them with a detailed account of the accident.
- Exchange insurance information, identification, and contact details with the other driver(s) involved.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine, and maintain organized records of medical bills and expenses.
3. How much do California car accident attorneys charge?
The fees for car accident lawyers in California can vary based on factors like the complexity of the case, trial involvement, and specific fee arrangements. At Hicks Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, where our fees are typically a percentage (ranging from 33% to 45%) of the final settlement or court award plus expenses. If we don’t successfully recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us a fee, though you may be responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses.
4. When should I consider consulting a Costa Mesa motor vehicle accident attorney?
If you’ve sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Costa Mesa, it’s wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible. Recovering from such injuries can take weeks or months, and managing an insurance claim without legal support can be challenging and may result in inadequate compensation. Insurance companies prioritize their interests, so having a skilled and reputable car accident attorney like Hicks Law Firm on your side can help you secure the full compensation you deserve.
5. How can I contact the Costa Mesa car accident attorneys at Hicks Law Firm?
To get in touch with our skilled and compassionate Costa Mesa car accident attorneys, you can call the car accident attorneys at Hicks Law firm at (949) 541-9944 to schedule a risk-free, no-obligation consultation. Fill out a contact form on our website, and we will promptly schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.
Orange County Car Accident Lawyer Aaron Hicks Represents People Like You
The car accident attorney’s at the Hicks Law Firm can answer your questions and address your concerns about seeking compensation for car accident injuries. Pursuing an insurance claim by yourself can result in a settlement you can’t reverse after you agree to it. There’s a good chance it’ll be for far less than what your case is worth.
Our firm serves clients seeking to file a car accident injury claim throughout Orange County and Southern California. Learn more about our practice areas and call the Hicks Law Firm today at (949) 541-9944 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a complimentary consultation.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
