California Sideswipe Accident Attorneys
- PAY NOTHING UPFRONT
- OVER $0 MILLION RECOVERED
- ZERO-FEES UNTIL WE WIN
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
California Sideswipe Accident Attorneys With A Supportive Approach To Injury Cases
Sideswipe accidents happen when two vehicles traveling next to each other make contact, often during lane changes, merges, or when a driver drifts out of their lane. These collisions may seem minor, but they can lead to serious injuries and disputes over fault. Our California sideswipe accident lawyers can review your case, explain your legal options, and pursue claims for the losses you’ve suffered. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Sideswipe accidents, also called “angled collisions” by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are a rarely discussed type of car crash because they usually don’t result in the dramatic rescue scenes often seen on the news. However, victims get hurt in sideswipe accidents, too, and they need to protect their legal right to seek compensation for their injuries.
If you are injured in a sideswipe collision, our sideswipe accident attorneys in California can investigate what happened and assess who may be responsible. They can assist you in pursuing potential damages for medical care, income loss, and pain and suffering. We focus on handling the legal process so you can concentrate on healing from your injuries.
How Can California Sideswipe Accident Attorneys Help Your Case?
Sideswipe collisions are often underestimated, but they can lead to serious injuries, emotional distress, and financial strain. Here’s how sideswipe accident lawyers may be able to assist:
- Case Investigation — Lawyers review accident details, gather photos, witness statements, and police reports, and analyze the scene to determine how the collision occurred. This helps identify whether driver negligence, such as reckless lane changes or distracted driving, played a role.
- Evidence Collection & Analysis — Beyond basic reports, attorneys may consult experts to reconstruct the accident or clarify liability issues. Strong evidence builds a clearer picture of the fault and strengthens a client’s legal claim.
- Communication With Insurance Companies — Insurance providers often seek to minimize payouts after sideswipe accidents. Lawyers handle communications on behalf of victims, recognizing low settlement offers or tactics that could jeopardize claims.
- Settlement Negotiation — Attorneys review settlement proposals and compare them with the documented damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. They work to secure outcomes that reflect the true impact of the accident.
- Court Representation — If an agreement cannot be reached through negotiation, a lawyer can present your case in court. This includes filing legal documents, making arguments, and advocating for you before a judge or jury.
Why Hire Our Sideswipe Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe accident and are unsure of how to move forward, our attorneys at Arash Law are here to support you. We aim to make the legal process clear, accessible, and focused on your needs. Here’s what we offer:
- Experience With Sideswipe Claims — Our team has handled a wide range of motor vehicle accident cases in California, including sideswipe collisions. This background allows us to approach your case with an understanding of the traffic laws and insurance issues that may apply.
- Client-Centered Approach — We take time to learn about each client’s circumstances and goals. Our attorneys work to keep your needs central to the process while guiding you through the legal system.
- Clear Communication — From the initial consultation to the resolution of your case, we provide regular updates and answer your questions in straightforward language.
- Contingency Fee Arrangement — We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney’s fees are collected only if you receive compensation. This payment structure allows clients to seek legal representation without worrying about upfront legal costs or hourly fees. Case-related costs may still apply and will be discussed during the free case review.
For more information, our California sideswipe accident attorneys can explain your options, guide you through the claims process, and help you understand what to expect in your case.
Verdict for a client who was sideswiped by a commercial truck.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Is A Sideswipe Accident?
A sideswipe accident occurs when the sides of two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions come into contact. This type of incident typically occurs when one vehicle drifts or swerves out of its lane or when two vehicles merge into the same lane at the same time.
According to an analysis report by the NHTSA, the most common causes of sideswipe accidents are a failure to focus on the road ahead and a lack of awareness of other drivers. If drivers take their eyes off the road, they might not notice important changes in their surroundings that could affect where they can safely drive.
This type of accident is also associated with reckless lane changes. According to the study, drivers who almost hit another car from the side did not carefully check their side-view mirrors, side windows, or center mirrors before switching lanes.
Most sideswipe accident cases lead to less severe injuries compared to head-on collisions or T-bone accidents. However, no two cases are the same, and sideswipe accidents can still lead to serious injuries and significant vehicle damage. Injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious ones, such as open fractures and dislocated bones in the arms or elbows. The extent of the damage often depends on factors such as the speed and the safety features of the vehicles involved.
What Makes A Sideswipe Accident Dangerous?
One of the primary reasons sideswipe collisions are so dangerous is the element of surprise. The sudden jolt can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, leading to more severe accidents involving multiple vehicles or even pedestrians.
Even seemingly minor incidents can cause injuries. Catastrophic injuries are possible if the sideswipe is particularly forceful or involves a larger vehicle, like a truck. In certain cases, the impact may even force a smaller car to slide underneath a bigger vehicle, a situation called an “underride.”
In 2023, the National Safety Council estimated that sideswipes and other two-vehicle collisions contributed to over 2 million crashes in America. These cases led to approximately 1,600 fatalities and 425,000 nonfatal injuries across the U.S.
Common Sideswipe Accident Scenarios
There are many ways in which a sideswipe accident can occur. Here are the most common dangers to look out for when you are behind the wheel:
Changing Lanes
Many drivers simply do not check their blind spots properly before executing a lane change. A driver who causes a sideswipe while trying to change lanes is generally at fault for the accident. Our California sideswipe accident attorneys can help you hold potentially liable parties accountable for any resulting losses.
There are many new safety features in new car models that can help prevent this scenario. Collision warnings, lane-drift assist warnings, and automatic braking can all help drivers avoid collisions with cars that are in the driver’s blind spot. Of course, drivers should never rely wholly on these technologies. Be sure to check your blind spots carefully before attempting to execute any lane change.
Parked Cars
In California, we have many busy cities with limited parking. This congestion means that street parking is common in several areas throughout the state. Unfortunately, street parking leaves these cars open to being hit. This situation can be especially common on narrow streets where street parking has limited the lanes of traffic to a tiny corridor. Distracted drivers are also more likely to sideswipe a parked car.
Drivers who park on the street should park as close to the curb as possible. Be sure you are within the lines of a designated parking spot. Doing this will make it very clear that the other driver was at fault for sideswiping your parked car. If this happens to you, our car accident lawyers who focus on sideswipe accident cases in California can help.
Merging Onto The Highway
California has many highways, state routes, and other busy thoroughfares. Drivers will inevitably have to merge onto these roads often. Some drivers get on and off the highway multiple times per day in the course of their regular commute. Some of our highways have short merging areas that must be navigated quickly. On busy roads, traffic is heavy, and this can make other motorists reluctant to let you in.
Be very careful any time you are merging onto a highway. Allow plenty of space between yourself and other cars, and never try to force your way in. If other drivers do not allow you into the merging lane, simply wait patiently with your turn signal on until there is an opening. Try not to force your way in to avoid causing a sideswipe accident. The car that is already established in the traffic lane has the right-of-way.
Typical Injuries In Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents may lead to the following injuries:
- Fractures — The force of a sideswipe accident can break bones, particularly in the arms or legs.
- Eye Injuries — Airbag deployment or shattered glass can cause eye injuries, which could lead to blurred vision or even blindness.
- Back Injuries — The sudden impact of a collision can strain muscles and ligaments in the back and neck, resulting in pain, discomfort, and limited mobility.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — In some cases, a sideswipe collision creates a force that can damage the spinal cord, leading to loss of sensation, partial or complete paralysis, and other life-altering conditions.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) — These are serious injuries that can lead to long-term cognitive issues that affect a victim’s memory, bodily functions, and relationships.
- Burns — If the accident leads to a fire or explosion, occupants can suffer from first-, second-, or third-degree burns.
- Wrongful Deaths — In the worst-case scenario, the injuries sustained in a sideswipe accident can be fatal.
Injuries can be complex and have lasting consequences. Our California sideswipe accident attorneys can assist you in documenting medical evidence, working with experts to assess long-term effects, and pursuing claims that account for both immediate and future losses.
Why Your Medical Bills Don’t Tell The Whole Story Of Your Injuries
Medical bills are often used as one way to estimate the value of an injury claim, but they rarely capture the full impact of an accident on a person’s life. For example, formulas used by insurers sometimes consider medical costs alongside multipliers for pain and suffering. While this approach can provide a framework, it may not reflect the unique circumstances of every individual.
That is why it is important to recognize that the real effects of an accident go beyond hospital or pharmacy receipts. Sideswipe accident attorneys in California can present evidence that illustrates how an injury affects day-to-day life, medical recovery, and long-term health.
Who Is At Fault In A Sideswipe Accident In California?
Like in any other car accident, sideswipe collisions can have multiple parties involved, including:
- Other motorists
- Car owners
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Employers
- Government entities
Establishing who may be responsible for your injuries typically requires a thorough investigation into factors such as driver behavior, vehicle conditions, and roadway environment. Sideswipe accident attorneys in California can review these details, consult experts if needed, and explain how liability may be assigned under the law.
Determining Liability In Sideswipe Accidents
How do you know who’s responsible for compensating you in a sideswipe accident? Fault boils down to the concept of negligence, a legal term that refers to a person’s failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another party.
When negligence is evaluated, our California sideswipe accident lawyers consider these four key elements:
- Duty of Care — Each driver has a legal duty to act with reasonable care towards other road users. This includes obeying traffic laws, maintaining a safe distance, and being attentive to their surroundings.
- Breach of Duty — Failure to uphold a driver’s duty of care leads to a breach. Common examples include changing lanes without signaling, driving under the influence, or failing to yield the right of way.
- Causation — The breach of duty must be directly linked to the accident. In simpler terms, the driver’s negligent actions must have caused the sideswipe.
- Damages — The accident must have resulted in some form of harm, whether property damage, injuries, or emotional distress.
Because multiple parties can share responsibility, liability in sideswipe accidents is rarely straightforward. A sideswipe accident lawyer can review the specifics of your accident, analyze available evidence to assess who may be responsible, and guide you on your next steps.
What Types Of Damages Can I Pursue?
In sideswipe accident cases, injured individuals may be able to pursue different types of damages through a personal injury claim. These generally fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover the financial costs of the accident. Depending on the facts of your case, you may seek compensation for:
- Medical Expenses — These include the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care you might need.
- Lost Wages — You can claim compensation for income lost because your injuries prevented you from working and reduced your future earning capacity.
- Property Damage — You may also seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
Meanwhile, non-economic damages aim to compensate for the non-financial impact of the accident on your life. These can include:
- Pain & Suffering — You can seek financial compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced from your sideswipe accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life — The inability to do or enjoy activities that you used to love can also be part of your claim.
- Emotional Distress — If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues resulting from the accident, you can claim compensation for how they affected your life.
You may also be awarded punitive damages. However, these are less common and are not tied to the losses you’ve suffered. Instead, they are intended to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or malicious behavior and to deter others from similar conduct.
Evidence That Can Support Your Claim
Proving liability and the impact of a sideswipe accident typically requires different forms of evidence. Every case is unique, and the evidence that may be helpful depends on the circumstances. Below are some examples of evidence often used in sideswipe accident claims:
Photos And Videos Of The Accident Scene
Evidence from the accident scene is used to determine who was at fault for causing the accident. Photos and videos might be taken by officers who responded to the accident scene or by insurance company employees who were investigating the scene. In some cases, sideswipe accident attorneys can also use photos and videos taken by the victim.
If it is safe and you can do so, feel free to record evidence on your phone at the accident scene. However, you should never endanger yourself or others by taking photos.
Stay far out of the path of oncoming traffic. Do not interfere with law enforcement investigators or emergency responders who are working on the scene. Do not move around if you have injuries that could be made worse. Follow the directions and advice of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.
Testimony
In some cases, insurance companies cannot tell who was at fault simply by looking at the physical evidence of the accident. They might need eyewitness testimony to hear what happened in the accident. The insurance company will ask for statements from both drivers. Of course, these statements do not always match up, and each driver may try to blame the other.
This fact is why insurance companies are especially interested in statements from bystanders and other “third parties” who do not have a stake in the case’s outcome. You should try to get any witnesses’ contact information if it is safe and possible to do so. Police officers will also gather this information at the scene if they are able to.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses might be required to testify about how the accident and your injuries happened. Your California sideswipe accident attorney can work with an accident reconstructionist to get a professional opinion about how the incident occurred.
In court, an accident reconstructionist is not allowed to offer an opinion about who was at fault because it is the “ultimate issue” of the case (which the jury must determine). Nonetheless, professional opinions may strengthen your claim. An accident reconstructionist’s report can also be used in settlement negotiations to prove to the insurance company that their driver was, in fact, at fault for causing the accident.
Expert witnesses can also be used to prove the value of your claim. Once the insurance company accepts liability (or a jury finds the defendant at fault), you must prove how much loss you incurred and seek compensation. There are many tricks an insurance company may use to try to reduce the value of your personal injury claim.
They might claim that your medical bills are unnecessarily high because your providers charged too much or recommended excessive treatment. This is especially common with chiropractors and other medical professionals who provide less traditional services. The insurance company may also downplay the amount of your pain and suffering to reduce your overall award.
This is where expert witnesses can be critical in proving your case. Your sideswipe accident attorneys can ask medical experts to testify about the care you received and why it was necessary. They can also testify about the effects of an injury: the recovery period, the physical pain it causes, and how the nature of the injury will impact a victim’s life. Testimony from medical experts can be very persuasive to a jury and even to the insurance company opposing you.
Medical Records
Medical records provide objective evidence of the injuries sustained in a sideswipe accident and the treatment received. Bills, diagnostic results, and physician notes can help establish the type and extent of harm. These documents are often important in discussions with insurance companies because they rely on verifiable data.
Not all losses are captured in medical charts or bills. You may also experience pain, emotional distress, or limitations in daily activities that are not easily quantified. Personal accounts about difficulties in sleeping, missing work, or being unable to participate in hobbies may help illustrate the broader impact of your injury.
Your testimony, combined with supporting records, may be used to present a fuller picture of how the accident has affected your life. This information, along with medical evidence, can help sideswipe accident lawyers explain the scope of the harm in settlement negotiations or, if needed, in court proceedings.
Statute Of Limitations For Filing Accident Claims
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for initiating legal proceedings. This time limit encourages the timely resolution of legal disputes. After all, evidence may deteriorate over time, memories fade, and witnesses become unavailable.
In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failure to do so within the allotted time frame may compromise your right to seek compensation.
If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, our experienced California sideswipe accident attorneys can assist you and track legal deadlines that may apply to your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will My Sideswipe Accident Case Take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The duration of your sideswipe case depends on several factors, including:
- The Severity of Injuries — More extensive injuries typically require more medical treatment, leading to a longer timeframe for reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI). When determining compensation, MMI is a crucial factor, especially in cases involving temporary or permanent disability.
- Fault Determination — Clear-cut cases where the fault is easily established tend to move faster than those with disputed liability.
- Settlement Negotiations — Reaching a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company can be time-consuming, especially if they contest your claim. Our dedicated sideswipe accident attorneys in California can advocate for your legal interests during negotiations and work toward a timely resolution of your case.
- Court Involvement — If a settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit becomes necessary. The court system can add significant time to the process due to procedural steps and potential court appearances.
How Much Do Sideswipe Accident Attorneys Charge In California?
Attorney fees can vary depending on factors like case complexity and the work involved. Each case is unique, so there’s no standard cost that applies to everyone. We offer consultations to review your situation and explain how legal fees would work in your case. That way, you know exactly what to expect before you commit to any legal action.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer For A Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?
Consider seeking legal help from our California sideswipe accident attorneys if:
- You sustained injuries and face substantial medical costs.
- There are multiple parties involved.
- There is extensive property damage, and the repair or replacement costs are hefty.
- There’s a disagreement about who caused the accident and who is liable for the damages.
- The insurance companies refuse to make a fair settlement offer or any settlement offer at all.
What If I’m Found Partially At Fault For A Sideswipe Accident?
In California, the rule of pure comparative negligence applies. This means you can still file a personal injury claim even if the court finds that you share some responsibility for the accident. However, compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault.
For example, a person found 30% at fault with total damages valued at $100,000 could only recover $70,000 because their fault reduced the compensation by 30%.
Determining liability can be complex, but sideswipe accident lawyers can review your case, explain how fault might be assessed, and help you understand how the law impacts your potential recovery of the damages.
Contact Our Sideswipe Accident Attorneys In California For Legal Help
If you were injured in a sideswipe collision, the injury attorneys at Arash Law can help you understand your legal rights and options. With decades of combined experience handling accident claims, our team can help Californians navigate the claims process and help them seek fair compensation for damages under the law.
We offer free and confidential consultations, available by phone or online. During this meeting, you can share details about your case, ask questions, and learn more about the potential steps ahead. We can handle the legal matters for you so you can focus on your healing.
Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free case review.
Our experienced attorneys, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., provide legal representation for clients in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, Stockton, Oakland, Modesto, and the rest of California.
