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Side Swipe Accident Lawyer

In the first quarter of 2022, Taylorsville, UT, had 272 reportable traffic accidents. Some of these accidents resulted in serious injuries. While many car accidents pose a danger to vehicle occupants, sideswipe crashes are among the worst. Many people think these accidents are primarily caused by drivers having obstructed views, commonly referred to as “blind spots.” While this is true in some incidents, many crashes occur due to negligent actions by drivers failing to act safely when operating vehicles.

Residents should talk with a local attorney if injured in a side-impact crash. Depending on the speed and force of the collision, victims may walk away or be left with severe or permanent injuries. Talking with a lawyer is the right step, no matter what type of injury you incur. You may be eligible for damages if liability rests with a driver or another responsible party. In Taylorsville, Fielding Law is ready to work with you and protect your right to fair compensation.

What Is a Sideswipe Accident?

A sideswipe accident is when one vehicle makes contact with another by scraping or hitting its side. Both cars can be in motion, or one is stopped. Drivers may be headed in the same or opposite directions when accidents take place.

These accidents frequently occur when vehicles merge or one drifts into another lane. Moving vehicles colliding, especially on highways at higher rates of speed, cause the most serious injuries in side-impacts.

What Are the Common Causes of These Collisions?

In 2021, distracted driving accidents caused 2,892 injuries in Utah. Distractions are major factors in sideswipe collisions. Texting while driving is a widespread public safety concern and is against the law in Utah while operating a motor vehicle. These are other common reasons for these accidents:

In some situations, inattentive drivers aren’t aware they are drifting into another lane and hit the side of a vehicle, or they overcorrect a steering error causing a sideswipe crash.

What Factors Make Sideswipe Crashes Dangerous?

Taylorsville, UT, residents must exercise caution while traveling on busy roadways. Being in a side-impact collision can result in severe injury. These are reasons why sideswipe crashes present grave danger to vehicle occupants.

Differing Vehicle Sizes

Over the years, passenger vehicles have transformed into differing makes and sizes, putting vehicles on unequal footing on roadways. While motorists are accustomed to driving alongside smaller and larger vehicles, in crashes, height and weight make a significant difference in the force vehicles must endure.

There is a considerable difference between a large truck or SUV and a compact or subcompact car. Being sideswiped by a larger vehicle can lead to more significant damage to the passenger cabin. It may also be challenging to keep your vehicle safely under control.

High-Clearance Vehicles

18-wheelers add an entirely different level of concern in sideswipe accidents. A tired or distracted truck driver drifting into your lane is a disastrous scenario, especially when you are sandwiched between other vehicles, guardrails or abutments.

The high clearance of trucks makes blind spot issues a significant factor in sideswiping incidents. However, truckers can become lax about checking lanes before moving over. Some assume other drivers will get out of their way. This can be a deadly calculation given an 80,000 lb. fully loaded truck.

Talk with an attorney to learn your rights when a truck driver is careless and causes you harm. Truck accidents are complex and often drawn-out matters that require victims to have skilled legal representation.

Traveling Speeds

The speed at which vehicles travel factors into the seriousness of a side-impact crash. The combination of high speeds and colliding vehicles rarely has a positive ending. When negligent drivers are oblivious to what’s occurring, their slowed reaction times can worsen outcomes.

Pinning or Rolling Issues

Drivers hit by larger vehicles and pushed against other objects can be pinned or crushed, unable to protect themselves. In some situations, a car may slide or spin sideways and roll. This can cause a multiple-vehicle crash or pile-up. These are terrible events and amplify the prospects of suffering catastrophic injuries.

Do Vehicle Protection Systems Help?

Vast improvements in vehicle safety designs have been made in recent decades. These are some key features that have been added to cars:

  • Reinforced occupant compartments
  • Vehicle framing technology (impacts beams that minimize intrusion)
  • Side airbags
  • Lane-assist technology

Engineers are consistently testing new ways to keep the driving public safe. Unfortunately, while warning systems and structural changes help, they are not foolproof preventative measures. You can still have catastrophic injuries due to negligent driver actions or inactions.

What Injuries Result From Vehicle Sideswipes?

If you were hurt in a side-impact crash, these are some of the injuries you may sustain:

As many as 14% of traumatic brain injuries occur due to car accidents nationwide each year. This level of brain injury has many devastating effects, including the inability to maintain employment without adequate support. A full recovery from a TBI is unattainable for many car accident victims. Pain and suffering from significant cognitive deficits and emotional struggles are tragically typical results.

What Damages Can You Recover?

Fielding Law wants you to have the time and resources you need to recover from your injuries. We represent your case and strive to get you full and fair compensation. These are the types of damages allowed in personal injury claims:

  • Medical bills (current and future)
  • Lost wage (current and future)
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental and emotional anguish
  • Quality of life changes

A serious accident can alter your life and adversely impact your family. As personal injury lawyers, we understand the depth of your losses because we’ve witnessed what our clients go through. We’re ready to listen and help.

How Does Having a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?

From start to finish, personal injury claims require careful legal attention. You first need to know whether you have a viable claim. If so, an attorney takes on the duties of building your case for damages.

Your lawyer handles insurance communications and claims negotiations, so you have time to rest and heal. If a case can’t be settled outside of court, we take it to a jury. We know how to prepare and present a compelling case on your behalf.

Work With a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer

At Fielding Law, our focus is on you as our client. A sideswipe accident is an unwelcome story unfolding in your life, and we want to help you write a better ending. As attorneys, we delve into researching and organizing cases that hold people accountable for the harm they cause. We desire that our clients get the compensation necessary to restart life with a fresh outlook.

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, the first thing to do is speak with an attorney. Severe injuries may qualify for a damage recovery outside of what’s covered under a no-fault insurance policy. A case review can answer your most immediate questions and give you greater peace of mind. You have direct access to our attorneys. Call us to talk about your case.