Why Some Sideswipe Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

When you are traveling down the road in your lane, your vehicle may suddenly be struck from the side by another car that is traveling in the same direction. This is referred to as a "sideswipe." These accidents can often lead to minor damage and injuries because of the physics of the accident, but this is not always the case. You will never want to assume that you're not very injured and it's important to consult with both a doctor and an accident lawyer.

Dangers Associated with a Sideswipe Accident

One of the consequences of a sideswipe is that you might collide with another object as a result such as a tree, a light pole, or a concrete barrier. When this happens, you could not only be injured by the initial impact but also by colliding with the other object.

How the Accident May Occur

There are various situations that can cause a driver to cause a sideswipe accident. The driver might fail to use a turn signal and try to change lanes very quickly. The driver might not check to make sure that there was enough space while changing lanes. These accidents also often happen when a driver is crossing multiple lanes or is changing lanes.

You might have been changing your lane and the other driver was not paying attention. Then, the other driver also tries to move into the same lane and you end up colliding. You may wonder how a driver can make this type of mistake, but many drivers are under the influence or are not paying attention. 

Legal Consultation After Your Accident

After the accident, you will need to prove that the other driver is at fault for the accident. This is best accomplished by consulting with a car accident lawyer. An attorney who is experienced with handling car accident cases will know what evidence you will need to provide to be able to prove fault.

How to Prove Fault

Fault can be difficult to prove in a sideswipe accident in some cases because both you and the other driver might claim to be without blame. Therefore, you will need help from your accident lawyer to gather evidence from the scene of the accident and to interview witnesses so you can have enough evidence to successfully prove that the other side is at fault. Then, you will be more likely to succeed when negotiating a settlement. 

For more information, contact a local attorney such as Todd East Attorney at Law​.

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