Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions collide with each other, with the point of impact on the side doors. Drivers often get into these car accidents due to untimely lane changes, a failure to yield from one party, or distracted driving. While not as dangerous as head-on collisions, sideswipes can still harm both passengers and drivers, sometimes resulting in critical injuries and lifelong medical expenses.
What Types of Injuries Can You Sustain in a Sideswipe Accident?
Depending on the relative speed of the vehicles, the angle of impact, and the location of the collision, victims of sideswipe collisions often suffer from whiplash, a condition caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of your neck. Whiplash can result in lingering pain and limited mobility, as can other common injuries like fractures, head trauma, and soft tissue damage.
The sudden jolt from the impact can also damage internal organs or cause concussions—but unlike fractures or head trauma, these injuries do not immediately show symptoms. Rather, they may feel like slight headaches or muscle pains at first, and exacerbate over time. If you get involved in a sideswipe accident, you should contact medical services as soon as possible to rule out an invisible but critical injury.
Sideswipe collisions often occur without any warning, which means that you generally do not have time to try and avoid the accident or mitigate the damage -especially if you get into a collision with a larger vehicle like a commercial truck. Unfortunately, trucks have unique risks, such as wide turns and larger blind spots, which can exacerbate the effects of a sideswipe collision.
How Can Psychological Injuries Affect You After a Sideswipe Accident?
Aside from physical injuries, car accident victims often suffer from psychological consequences, such as emotional trauma, anxiety, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These sorts of mental issues can make it challenging for victims to return to everyday activities, which obviously include driving.
What Should You Do if You Are Injured in a Sideswipe Accident?
Seek immediate medical attention after a sideswipe accident, even if you feel fine initially. Not only will you catch any hidden injuries, but your report will also create a paper trail that can help you pursue compensation down the road.
Take photographs of the accident, the road conditions, and any injuries you or your loved ones sustained. Collect contact information from the other involved driver and any eyewitnesses, report the accident to your insurance company, and document your experiences on a notepad or via a voice memo on your phone.
Then, we strongly recommend consulting with a personal injury lawyer in your area if you want to pursue compensation for your accident-related injuries and damages.
Let the Somerset County Car Accident Lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. Help You Pursue Justice for Your Case
If you are dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing therapy costs from your sideswipe accident, an experienced lawyer can build your best case for demanding the accident-related compensation that you deserve. Trust the seasoned Somerset County car accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow &Mascolo L.L.P. to advocate for your interests, negotiate on your behalf, and protect your rights. We have years of experience defending car accident victims and helping them claim the compensation they need to cover their costs. Call us at 732-247-3600 or fill out our onlineform for a free consultation. Our office locations in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Manalapan, New Jersey, serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Somerset County.
