Who’s Responsible for a Sideswipe Car Crash?

The Ohio Department of Public Safety states that someone is injured in a car crash in Ohio every 5.2 minutes. In the event of sideswipe crashes, most result from people failing to check blind spots, which means many can be avoided by simply taking an extra moment to check for cars.

If you’ve been injured because a negligent motorist sideswiped your car, you know how jarring it can be. What’s more, it doesn’t take much for your car insurance premiums or medical bills to rack up quickly. Fortunately, the Ohio car accident lawyers with KNR have the experience and record of success to navigate the claim process and recover the compensation you need.

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW. There’s no because we only get paid when you recover compensation.

Sideswipes: What They Are and How They Happen?

By definition, a sideswipe is a collision between two vehicles where the right side of one car and the left side of another collide. These usually happen when one of the cars drifts over the lane line at the wrong time.

Sideswipes can range from relatively minor to outright fatal. That being said, here are some of the most common causes of sideswipe collisions:

• Distracted driving – It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to tell you why keeping your eyes on the road at all times. But that does little to stop people from trying to multitask on the road, whether it’s texting, eating, fixing hair or makeup, or merely letting the mind wander elsewhere. Drivers attempting to do more than just drive often drift in and out of lanes without even realizing it, thereby putting them at risk of a sideswipe collision.
• Merging without a turn signal – Here’s another surprisingly common–and easily fixable–cause of sideswipes. Driving school taught us all to flip on your turn signal well before you turn or switch lanes. More than a few drivers take liberties with this, and ultimately they land themselves in an accident.
• Drowsy drivers – Obviously, sleeping and driving do not go together, but many drivers often have no choice to drive late at night, especially if it’s for work (e.g. truck drivers, overnight workers, etc.). When drowsy drivers begin to zone out, the risk of a sideswipe collision is incredibly high.
• Driving under the influence – Everyone knows that drinking too much alcohol or ingesting drugs will significantly impair your ability to stay in your lane, much less operate a vehicle at all.
• Aggressive driving – Drivers prone to road rage are more likely to get into a collision than calmer drivers. This is because aggressive drivers are more likely to flout traffic laws by making illegal turns and passes, running red lights, or merging without warning, to name a few.

Naturally, there are a few injuries commonly associated with sideswipe collisions: whiplash, lacerations, broken bones in the hands, feet, arms, and legs, spinal cord injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries.

Dealing with these injuries on top of all the other aftermath of a sideswipe car crash can be overwhelming. This is why it’s best to hire a personal injury lawyer who can help you make sense of your case.

Proving the Fault & Liability for a Sideswipe Accident

Victims of sideswipe collision accidents often struggle with the need to prove the other driver was to blame, when the answer is obvious to them. But to recover compensation after a car accident, you must demonstrate that the other driver owed you a duty of care, and somehow violated it, thereby causing the accident and your injuries.

After being sideswiped, you attorney may review police reports, witness statements, photos of the damage, and consult experts that will reconstruct the conditions of the accident. By reviewing this evidence, you can point the negligent actions of the other driver, such as their speed, phone logs, or prior instances of aggressive driving, and prove their actions led to the accident.

Once fault is clear, then your attorney will point to your resulting injuries, and make a case that the at-fault driver and their insurance company should be held financially responsible.

How Kisling, Nestico & Redick Can Assist You

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we understand how traumatic a sideswipe collision can be for all parties involved. Between the medical bills, insurance claims, and general emotional trauma that follows a car accident, it’s easy to want the matter over with fast. But be wary of accepting quick settlement offers.

Fortunately, our team of experienced Ohio personal injury lawyers will help guide you through every step of the way so that you can get the recovery you deserve. Give us a call today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to learn more.