What to Do After a Sideswipe Accident
Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles crash into the side of each other. They can happen when the vehicles are traveling in the same or opposite directions. They only occur because one driver moved out of their lane when it was not safe to do so. These accidents are extremely dangerous, particularly when they occur on a highway or freeway with high speeds. The drivers involved are typically unprepared because neither the car that is sideswiped, nor the swerving vehicle was aware that an accident was about to occur.
The sudden nature of the crash can cause the drivers involved to overcompensate or lose control. This can easily lead to a chain reaction in which drivers swerve out of their lane and hit other vehicles and objects such as guardrails, resulting in a multi-vehicle crash. Below, our San Antonio side-impact crash lawyer explains the common causes of these accidents and the steps to take following one.
What Causes Sideswipe Accidents When Vehicles are Traveling in the Same Direction?
Sideswipe accidents that occur when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction are often caused because one or both drivers:
- Failed to check a blind spot before changing lanes
- Drifted into another lane while distracted or fatigued
- Swerved into another lane due to impairment by drugs, alcohol, or medication
- Lost control due to reckless driving or road rage
What Causes Sideswipe Accidents When Vehicles are Traveling in Opposite Directions?
Sideswipe accidents involving drivers traveling in opposite directions are not as common but they still have many common causes. In these cases, one or both drivers may:
- Navigate a curve at a high speed and drift into the lane of oncoming traffic
- Try to pass a slower-moving vehicle when it is unsafe
- Drift across the center line while distracted
- Swerve across the dividing line due to impairment
Steps to Take After a Sideswipe Accident
Sideswipe accidents are traumatic and drivers do not always know what to do afterwards. The most important steps to take include:
- Call the police. They will visit the scene and write and file an accident report, which may indicate fault.
- Take photos of the damage to both vehicles. These can sometimes show the direction of impact and which driver changed lanes, causing the crash.
- Take photos of the entire accident scene. The location of road damage or debris is helpful when accident reconstruction specialists are trying to determine fault.
- Locate any witnesses to the crash and ask for their names and contact information. This information serves as important evidence.
- Seek medical attention at the scene or immediately after leaving it.
- Contact a lawyer immediately if you are hurt, as time is of the essence.
Call Our Side-Impact Crash Lawyer in San Antonio Today
At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio side-impact crash lawyer can review the facts of your case, advise on important evidence to collect, and help prove fault. You do not pay any fee unless we successfully recover a settlement or favorable verdict. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney.
Source:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=TN&chapter=TN.545&artSec=545.060
