Sideswipe Auto Accidents
Of all the various types of auto accidents that serve as the basis of personal injury lawsuits, sideswipe accidents can be among the most challenging to litigate. In many cases, defense lawyers will try to minimize the damage that was done, and often they will argue that the injured victim was partly or even entirely at fault for the accident. This is why it is important for victims of sideswipe accidents to secure the services of lawyers with extensive experience and a history of success in handling sideswipe auto accident cases.
The personal injury attorneys of Gary A. Zucker & Associates, P.C., are among the most esteemed in all of Brooklyn. Our car accident attorneys have the skills, resources, and knowledge to bring even the most complex sideswipe auto accident claims to successful resolutions. If you have been seriously injured in a sideswipe auto accident, or if a member of your family has been injured or killed in such an accident, we urge you to contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule an evaluation of your case.
What Is a Sideswipe Accident?
Simply defined, sideswipe accidents are those in which the side of one automotive vehicle collides with the side of another automotive vehicle traveling parallel to it. While many people think of sideswipe accidents involving two motor vehicles traveling in the same direction, most sideswipe accidents actually involve two motor vehicles traveling in opposite directions, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.
The most common cause of sideswipe accidents involves one car entering the lane occupied by another car when it is unsafe to do so. Such a lane change often occurs on freeways or when one lane is merging into another, such as on a freeway on-ramp. It can also occur when one vehicle enters the lane of opposing traffic in an attempt to pass another vehicle, not realizing that there is a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction in that lane.
Other common causes of sideswipe accidents include:
- Drifting into another lane due to being distracted by technology, such as a cell phone or an iPod
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigue or falling asleep behind the wheel
- Losing control of a vehicle due to a defective auto part
- Aggressive or reckless driving
Whatever the cause of your sideswipe accident, our auto accident attorneys will use all of the resources at their disposal to investigate and recreate the accident and build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Common Sideswipe Accident Injuries
Because most cars, trucks, vans, and especially motorcycles offer less protection on the sides of the vehicle than on the fronts and backs, victims of sideswipe accidents are particularly vulnerable to injury. Common injuries in sideswipe auto accidents include:
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury
- Back injuries, including possible paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Leg injuries, including knee injuries
- Hip injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Wrongful death
If you or someone you love was harmed in a sideswipe auto injury and are in need of legal representation of the highest caliber, please call or email the law firm of Gary A. Zucker & Associates, P.C. today.
