Sideswipe car accidents can be quite serious, causing significant damage and lasting injuries. Unlike head-on collisions or side-impact crashes, sideswipe accidents have a reputation for being minor. However, sideswipe accidents can still cause substantial property damage and serious injuries. After a sideswipe accident, a driver should follow a few simple steps to ensure that they are preserving all available evidence to support a personal injury case.
What Factors Cause Sideswipe Accidents?
Many sideswipe car accidents happen every year in the United States. They are usually caused by distracted or impulsive drivers. For example, an inattentive driver distracted by a cellphone may drift into an adjacent lane, or a driver merges without properly looking. In many cases, drunk driving or aggressive driving leads to sideswipe accidents.
What Steps Should be Taken After a Sideswipe Accident?
The first priority for a driver is to identify and seek treatment for injuries. After an accident, it is important for a driver to contact emergency services. Even if an accident is minor, a victim should be seen by a doctor. In some cases, injuries may appear later.
After addressing any injuries, the main actions that should be taken are aimed at collecting and preserving evidence. Even if emergency medical attention does not appear necessary, law enforcement should be notified. The dispatcher will send an officer to the scene of the accident to take an incident report. A police report includes identifying information from all persons involved and statements from each driver.
A driver should obtain a copy of the report and also collect additional information on their own. Make note of the make, model, and color of the other vehicle and its license plate number, even though that information should be part of the accident report. Personal accounts from witnesses should be recorded in writing or videos. Drivers can even record their own version while it is still fresh in their minds.
Photographs should be taken of the scene, property damage, and any road signs or conditions that may have been factors in the accident. All of this information will help support a case against the other driver.
An important step is to contact a lawyer. A lawyer will help with collecting evidence, filing a claim, and will protect their client’s rights.
Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm, LLC Represent Injured Car Crash Victims
A sideswipe accident can cause property damage and injuries. If you were hurt in a car accident, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries and car repairs. Our Monmouth County car accident lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm, LLC will evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible for compensation. Contact us online or call us at 732-454-3306 for a free consultation. Located in Oakhurst, Parlin, and Aberdeen, New Jersey, and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Asbury Park, Belmar, Deal, Ocean Township, Point Pleasant, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Sayreville, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey, as well as Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
