Sideswipe accidents in Huntsville are usually not “accidents” at all. These collisions are typically caused by improper lane changes, failure to signal, or weaving in and out of traffic. If a distracted, intoxicated, or aggressive driver sideswiped you and caused an injury accident, you have the right to seek fair compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Unfortunately, sideswipe accidents can present some serious challenges when it comes to establishing liability and proving fault. If you were injured and believe that the other driver was responsible for the crash, turn to an experienced car accident lawyer right away for help.
The Huntsville sideswipe injury lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are ready to help you seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries. We’ve successfully handled countless car accident cases, including sideswipe accidents. We want to put our experience to work for you.
Contact us today to get started with a free, no-risk consultation.
What Is a Sideswipe Accident?
A sideswipe car crash occurs when one vehicle swerves or drifts into another lane, hitting another vehicle on the side. Many sideswipe accidents are the result of inattention. Distracted or fatigued drivers could drift or veer out of their designated lanes and hit other vehicles traveling in the same or the opposite direction.
Sideswipe accidents can also happen when negligent drivers merge onto highways and collide with vehicles in the lanes they are entering. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, sideswipe accidents account for nearly 3 percent of all fatal crashes.
Causes of Sideswipe Collisions in Huntsville
The trusted team at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., frequently handle Huntsville sideswipe accident cases caused by:
- Driver inattentiveness – Drivers focused on text messages, phone conversations, or other distractions are less likely to notice other drivers in their blind spots and more likely to drift into neighboring lanes.
- Failure to signal lane changes – When negligent drivers fail to use their signals before merging or turning, other drivers have no way of knowing what to expect and may become involved in dangerous sideswipe wrecks.
- Road rage – Aggressive drivers who succumb to road rage may cause sideswipe collisions when they make unsafe lane-change maneuvers or attempt to run other drivers off the road.
- Driving under the influence – Drivers who are drunk, high on illegal drugs, or even impaired by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications are significantly more likely to drift out of their lane and collide with other vehicles.
- Unsafe merging maneuvers – If a negligent driver fails to ensure it is clear before merging into a new lane, they can easily run into the sides of other vehicles already in the lane they are entering.
- Drowsy driving – Extreme fatigue can be just as dangerous for drivers as alcohol intoxication, and drowsy drivers are at risk of coasting into neighboring lanes and causing severe side-wipe accidents.
Common Injuries Associated with Sideswipe Accidents in Huntsville
Huntsville sideswipe accidents can result in severe injuries with long-term and potentially life-threatening complications, such as:
- Back injuries such as herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries and partial or total paralysis
- Neck injuries such as whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Amputated or crushed limbs or digits
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Thermal, chemical, or friction burns
- Broken bones and other orthopedic injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Knee, elbow, and other joint injuries
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional injuries
- Wrongful death
Compensation for Sideswipe Collision Accidents
A knowledgeable attorney can help you file an injury claim after a sideswipe accident to seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical bills – Reasonable and necessary medical care costs for your accident-related injuries, including hospital stays, surgical expenses, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages – The value of any wage losses you suffer when you miss work while you recover from your injuries.
- Lost earning potential – The projected value of losses in your future earning capacity if you suffer a disabling injury that prevents you from returning to work.
- Pain and suffering – The subjective costs of the physical pain, psychological anguish, and losses in quality of life you suffer from the accident.
- Wrongful death – If a close family member was killed in a sideswipe accident, you might be entitled to claim wrongful death benefits. These benefits can provide compensation for medical expenses on behalf of the deceased, lost wages and benefits, and funeral and burial costs.
- Incidental expenses – Out-of-pocket costs for expenses related to the accident, such as travel costs to and from medical appointments.
- Repair or replacement costs – Costs of repairing any vehicle damage caused by the accident or replacing the vehicle in the event of a total loss.
Legal Liability for a Huntsville Sideswipe Collision
If you suspect you have grounds for a sideswipe accident claim in Huntsville, it’s essential to understand how liability could affect your case.
Alabama follows a doctrine of pure contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, you are legally barred from recovering compensation from a personal injury lawsuit if you are even 1 percent at fault for the accident.
This means if the other driver can prove that you were at fault in any way, it could ruin your claim. A sideswipe accident attorney can help you demonstrate the other driver’s negligence and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Do After a Sideswipe Accident?
If you were involved in a Huntsville sideswipe accident, you can protect your legal rights and give your injury claim the boost it needs by:
- Seeking prompt medical attention for your injuries
- Following through on your doctor’s treatment recommendations
- Gathering information from the other driver and evidence from the accident scene
- Holding on to medical bills, pay stubs, and other proof of accident-related expenses
- Avoiding posting photos or sharing information about the accident on social media
- Refusing to provide recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company
- Contacting a trusted car accident attorney for dependable legal advice
Talk to Our Huntsville Personal Injury Lawyers About Your Best Options
The Huntsville attorneys at the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., have been fighting for the rights of injured victims since 1966. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to help you secure the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Contact us today to learn more about our compassionate and transparent approach in a free initial case review.
