Sideswipe collisions often happen so fast that drivers have no time to brace for impact. These accidents involve one vehicle striking the side of another, typically when both cars are traveling in the same direction on multi-lane roads or highways.Â
When your vehicle gets sideswiped, you can lose control, potentially careening into other lanes, barriers, or oncoming traffic. Many people underestimate their severity, but the reality is that sideswipe collisions can result in serious injuries and complex legal battles that require professional legal representation.
A skilled Milwaukee car accident lawyer can help you investigate the crash, determine liability, and pursue the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
The Physics of Sideswipe Accidents
When two vehicles make contact side-to-side, the physics involved can cause dramatic and unexpected reactions. The impact transfers energy between the vehicles, often causing the struck car to veer suddenly into adjacent lanes or off the roadway entirely.
This sudden event can overwhelm even experienced drivers, especially at highway speeds where there is little time to correct course.
Many sideswipe accidents occur during lane changes. The drivers involved are often caught off-guard because they are focused on the traffic ahead, not necessarily the vehicles traveling alongside them.
The sudden jolt can cause drivers to overcorrect their steering, leading to rollovers or head-on collisions with other cars. These accidents can be very severe and, sometimes, deadly.Â
Common Injuries from Sideswipe Collisions
The injuries sustained in sideswipe accidents can be severe, often requiring extensive medical care and lengthy recovery times.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Neck injuries and soft tissue damage from sudden movements
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis due to the impact
- Head trauma when occupants strike side windows or door frames
- Arm and leg injuries from the door being pushed inward
- Internal injuries from seat belt compression or the force of impact
- Cuts and lacerations from broken glass
- Psychological trauma and anxiety following the accident
Determining Fault in Sideswipe Accidents
If you are injured in a sideswipe collision in Wisconsin, you have the right to hold the driver accountable for the injuries you experienced. However, you will need to prove that the at-fault driver truly caused the accident. The driver who initiated an unsafe lane change typically bears responsibility, but this isn’t always the case.
Establishing fault in sideswipe collisions requires careful investigation of multiple factors. Your attorney, law enforcement, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company will examine lane markings, vehicle positions, witness statements, and any available traffic camera footage.
This analysis will help establish the sequence of events leading up to the accident and therefore determine who is at fault.
Get Legal Representation for Your Sideswipe Accident
Sideswipe accidents can be far more complex than they appear on the surface, which is precisely why you need an experienced attorney on your side. A Milwaukee personal injury attorney will know how to reconstruct your collision, gather the right evidence, and build a compelling case proving the other party was at fault.
They will also help you calculate the true value of your settlement, prepare for any meetings or hearings, and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout your claim.
If you were involved in a sideswipe accident, seek medical attention and preserve all evidence related to the collision. Then, contact us to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case and plan your next steps.Â