Sideswipe, Or Lane Change Car Accidents
Getting into a Florida car accident can leave you dealing with a lot of stress. If involved in an auto accident, you could end up dealing with physical and emotional pain, car damage, lost wages, medical expenses, and many other losses. Apart from intersectional and rear-end collisions, serious injuries can arise from lane change accidents.
Lane change accidents often occur due to improper lane change. Most lane change accidents are preventable. Nonetheless, even though these accidents are preventable, they are more common than one would think. One type of collision that can occur due to an improper lane change is a sideswipe collision. Sideswipe collisions are pretty dangerous. If you or a loved one were in a sideswipe accident, then you can attest to just how dangerous these accidents can be. These accidents are hazardous because the impact of a sideswipe accident can force a car into the path of another vehicle or an object. Unfortunately, because the side of a car is not as protected as the rear side, a passenger or driver who gets involved in a sideswipe accident risks sustaining severe or fatal injuries.
Sideswipe Collisions
A sideswipe collision occurs when one vehicle collides with the side of another car traveling in the same direction. Often, such accidents take place when a motorist negligently changes lanes. However, sideswipe accidents that happen because of no negligent acts are not uncommon. For example, a sideswipe accident can occur when a motorist loses control of their vehicle because of other reasons that have nothing to do with negligence. A sideswipe accident can also happen when a driver makes a move to try to avoid another accident.
As much as sideswipe accidents can occur due to reasons that have nothing to do with negligence, human error is often the leading cause of sideswipe collisions. The most common human errors that cause sideswipe collisions include;
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Road rage
- Distracted driving
- Failing to check blind spots
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Driving under the influence
According to Florida statute 316.089, a Florida motorist is expected to stay within a single lane and only move from such a lane after determining that such movement can be made safely. Therefore, suppose another motorist unsafely moved from their lane and into yours, causing the accident that left you with severe injuries. In such a case, you have the right to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions.
Common Injuries That Result From Sideswipe Accidents
First of all, when you are involved in a Florida sideswipe accident, your car will suffer damage. In some instances, vehicles that are involved in sideswipe accidents end up totaled. When your vehicle is totaled, it means your car is damaged beyond repair, or repair will cost more than the car is worth. An average-sized vehicle can be destroyed if it sideswiped by a truck or another heavy-duty vehicle such as a pick-up. Structural and weight differences can also cause severe or catastrophic injuries.
Some of the common injuries you risk suffering in a sideswipe accident include;
- Back injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
- Head injuries such as traumatic brain injuries
- Spine injuries
Establishing Sideswipe Accident Claim and Obtaining Compensation
If negligence played a part in causing the sideswipe accident that led to your serious injuries, you have the right to file a lawsuit and obtain compensation from an at-fault party. To establish sideswipe accident claims in Florida, you need the help of a skilled car accident attorney. You need an attorney to help you prove that the other motorist’s actions were negligent and caused the sideswipe accident that led to your serious injuries. An attorney can help you collect the evidence you need for your claim. Some of the evidence your attorney can help you gather includes;
- Witness testimonies
- Police reports
- Traffic video footage
- Expert testimonies
Please note that it is crucial for you to contact a skilled and reliable car accident attorney as soon as possible after your sideswipe accident because of the statute of limitations.
Some of the compensatory damages you stand receiving after filing a sideswipe accident claim include;
- Medical expenses
- Car repairs
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
To increase your chances of getting a fair amount of compensation, make sure, you, among many other things;
- seek medical help immediately after a sideswipe accident
- gather as much evidence as you can
- devotedly attend doctor’s appointments and keep records
- cooperate with your attorney
Contact a Naples Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you know was severely injured in a Florida sideswipe accident because of another driver’s negligence, contact a Naples car accident attorney at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., today to receive legal assistance.
