Sideswipe accidents do not always result in small scrapes and harm to the car and its occupants. It can sometimes result in significant injury. However, fortunately, the majority of sideswipe collisions result in the opposite outcome. Though, the aftereffect of a sideswipe collision can have serious results. Many drivers lose control of their vehicles after a sideswipe and crash into an object or another person.
The majority of sideswipe automobile accidents occur when two cars are traveling next to each other, and one merges lanes into the other. Blind spots in the car, as well as a lack of attention or recklessness, are frequently to blame.
When two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide, it is called a sideswipe accident. When two lanes merge, such as on the on-ramp or exit ramp to a highway, sideswipe collisions are common.
Sideswipes can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
One thing to keep in mind is that this accident does not require the involvement of two moving automobiles. The presence of non-moving objects can also be an influence. When a car sideswipes an inanimate object, such as a barrier, it is also deemed a sideswipe accident.
However, the initial swipe is usually simply the start of a more serious catastrophe. The driver overreacts to a sideswiping collision by over-steering or swerving too soon, which causes the after-effects. Many people lose control and end up in a rollover car accident as a result of this abrupt motion.
A “side-impact” collision is defined as one in which one of the cars is impacted directly from the side. These types of car accidents can have a wide range of hazard levels, but they can be exceedingly severe if they occur at high speeds. While the front and back of a car provide a significant amount of protection and metal between the hit and the occupants, side-impact collisions provide significantly less protection, which means they could become more deadly at much slower speeds than other types of collisions.
Sideswipe: The less harmful of the two forms of side-impact collisions is a side-swipe accident. In many cases, the danger of harm from the collision itself is actually quite low in side-impact incidents, owing to the reduced speed of impact.
Side-Impact: Side-impact (T-Bone) collisions are far more deadly than side-swipe incidents. These occur when the front or rear of a vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle at high speeds. These normally include the transmission of a significant level of force, which often crushes the side of the impacted car and poses a major risk of serious injury to the occupants.
When discussing a sideswipe or a side-impact collision, the differences are in the mechanics of the crash, not how a person approaches the process of recovering compensation.
Drivers and passengers should address a sideswipe collision the same way they would any other car accident. First, double-check that no one has been hurt. If medical aid is required, dial 911 right away. Regardless of the severity of the injury, the authorities should be contacted to guarantee that a police report is filed. If the vehicles are drivable, take them off the road to a safe spot and turn on the hazard lights while remaining in a safe zone.
Name, address, vehicle details, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance company information should all be exchanged with the other motorist(s).
Always take photos of the automobiles and surroundings before moving them, and then take more photos once the vehicles have been relocated.
Before signing any settlement forms or giving any comments to insurance representatives, always contact a car accident attorney. Do not wait to file a lawsuit or an insurance claim because there are severe deadlines.
Also, write notes about what transpired as quickly as possible following the accident. Include information on the time of day, traffic, the road, and the weather. Many of these vital things may be forgotten as time passes. Keeping a journal might also help you track your rehabilitation process.
Finally, stay away from social media. Do not use social media to share photos or remarks about the accident. These could jeopardize a future claim. Even saying something online as simple as “I took my kids to the ballgame today,” could be enough to harm your injury claim in the eyes of the insurance carrier.
The capacity to submit a claim for damages is limited by a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Oklahoma is usually two years from the date of the incident. If the collision was caused by a government employee or a government-owned vehicle, there is a critical exemption (whether state, county, or municipal). If the case includes potential government culpability, then parties usually only have one year to file a formal claim.
The statute of limitations for practically all claims originating from a car accident is regulated by Oklahoma Statutes title 12, section 95 (except those for wrongful death). The time to file an accident claim starts from the date of the accident, which is why it is imperative that the parties contact attorneys and file any necessary paperwork immediately.
If someone died as a result of the car accident, a representative of the estate must file any wrongful death lawsuits within two years, according to Oklahoma Statutes title 12, section 1053, but the “clock” starts ticking on the day of the accident victim’s death, which may be later than the date of the accident if they did not die at the scene.
Most people believe that a sideswipe collision is usually a small incident with modest vehicle damage with hardly any physical injuries. The majority of sideswiping accidents, on the other hand, have the exact opposite outcome. They can result in vehicle loss of control or other potentially tragic outcomes, such as total loss of the car, severe physical injury, or even death.
Sideswipe crashes are often known as “blind spot” collisions because they frequently result in car damage such as dented doors, scraped side panels, and missing or damaged mirrors. Many insurance companies may challenge certain injury claims since intrusive harm is often not as severe as other, more direct impacts. Between the side of the car where the hit occurs and the placement of the drivers and passengers within the vehicle, there is very little space.
Because of the abrupt side-to-side jerking action that such a collision might create, even minor impact crashes can cause harm to the occupants’ shoulders and necks.
The Oklahoma State Commissioner’s office generally recommends four steps to filing an auto claim after an accident:
Also obtain the information of all witnesses at the scene.
If the claim amount provided by the insurance company does not sound adequate for the damages sustained, the parties have additional options:
Whatever the parties choose, it is important that all parties track their injuries and keep all financial records of damages sustained from the accident.
Liability insurance only protects from claims for bodily injury and property damage caused by an accident for which someone is proven at fault.
Auto collision insurance covers damage to the car in the event of a collision, regardless of who is at fault.
Damage to a vehicle caused by something other than an accident is covered under comprehensive insurance coverage.
The at-fault driver should file a claim with their carrier if they have damages. Additionally, the other party will likely be filing a claim to the at-fault insurance driver’s carrier for their damages.
The party not at fault should also advise their carrier of the accident and file a claim with the responsible party’s carrier. If there is an uninsured driver, there are various legal options that can be taken, and often, insurance policies will carry specific coverage in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver.
After an accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. An experienced Tulsa sideswipe accident lawyer will review your case at no cost to you. Our team is dependable, and we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm by calling 918-359-6600 or by filling out the form online.
