Sideswipe Accident Lawyer in Birmingham, AL
A sideswipe accident can cause significant harm, particularly if your vehicle is pushed off the road or into another vehicle or object. If you were injured in a sideswipe collision in Birmingham, Alabama, you need a sideswipe accident lawyer who will take your case seriously and fight for the compensation you deserve. You need Collins Law, LLC.
Contact our firm today for a free case evaluation. We can help you understand your rights, provide an initial estimate of what your case could be worth, and help you seek financial recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more.
What Is a Sideswipe Collision?
Sideswipe car accidents occur when one vehicle scrapes or hits the side of another vehicle as they pass. The vehicles involved in a sideswipe collision can be heading in the same direction or opposite directions, and one vehicle may be parked.
In many cases, sideswipe accidents only result in property damage, especially when they involve a parked car. However, these accidents can cause serious injuries, particularly when the vehicles involved are traveling at high speeds, such as when someone merges into the side of your vehicle on the highway.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Like other types of car accidents, sideswipe accidents can have many different causes. Some of the most common of these causes include:
- Distracted driving, intoxicated driving, or drowsy driving, causing another driver to drift into your lane
- Aggressive driving, including speeding, causing another driver to lose control of their vehicle
- Driving too fast for poor weather or road conditions, causing a loss of control
- Failing to properly check mirrors and blind spots before merging into another lane, including when entering or exiting a highway
Secondary Collisions from Sideswipes
Often, a sideswipe car accident creates a chain reaction that puts many drivers in danger.
For example, when another vehicle strikes you on the side, it can push you into oncoming traffic, leading to a more dangerous head-on collision. Or, if your vehicle is pushed off the roadway, it may roll over after hitting a ditch. Rollover accidents can cause a wide variety of severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
Even if it’s the secondary collision that causes your injuries, the driver who caused the initial sideswipe impact may be liable.
Who Is at Fault for a Sideswipe Collision?
Depending on the cause of the sideswipe collision that harmed you, several parties could be at fault or share fault. For example:
- Another motorist may be at fault if they merge into your lane without checking that it is clear to do so.
- A vehicle manufacturer may be at fault if a defective part caused one of the vehicles involved to lose control.
- The government entity responsible for maintaining the public road may be at fault if poor road conditions, such as a large pothole, contributed to the accident.
Why Sideswipe Cases Are Different and How Our Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Sideswipe cases differ from other vehicle collisions because the impact occurs along the sides of the vehicles involved. This can make determining fault more difficult, as it may not immediately be clear which driver caused the accident.
To the victim of a sideswipe, it may be obvious that the other driver was at fault. However, to recover compensation through an insurance claim, you need evidence to support that finding, which is where our lawyer can help. We can conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and collect evidence to demonstrate the negligence of other parties.
Steps to Take After a Sideswipe Crash
Following a sideswipe crash in Birmingham, it’s essential to take these steps to strengthen your case and maximize your chances of financial recovery:
- Seek immediate and ongoing medical treatment for your injuries.
- Keep track of all medical bills, repair receipts, and other documents related to the accident.
- Collect evidence from the accident scene, including eyewitness contact information, if possible.
- Avoid providing a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer without your lawyer present.
- Write down your daily pain levels and how your injuries impact your ability to perform routine tasks.
- Consult an experienced sideswipe accident attorney about your case and let them handle it for you.
FAQ for Sideswipe Accident Lawyers
Below, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about sideswipe accidents in Birmingham, AL.
Why are sideswipe collisions dangerous?
Sideswipe collisions are dangerous because they can push your vehicle into other vehicles, fixed objects, or off the road entirely. The impact from the sideswipe itself typically isn’t what causes severe injuries. It’s what comes after that victims often have to worry about.
A secondary impact after a sideswipe could involve your car hitting a large truck, a parked car, or a guard rail on the side of the road. And if your car leaves the road entirely, the risk of a dangerous rollover increases significantly.
How do you prove fault in a sideswipe crash?
Proving fault in a sideswipe crash involves gathering various types of evidence to show that the other driver’s actions were the primary cause. This evidence may include:
- Accident scene photographs showing the damage to your vehicle, your vehicle’s final resting place, and skid marks on the road
- Traffic or dashboard camera footage showing how the accident occurred
- Eyewitness statements detailing the other motorist’s erratic driving or phone use leading up to the accident
- Expert witness testimony, such as that from a crash reconstruction specialist
Can I recover if I was partly at fault for a sideswipe crash in Alabama?
Unfortunately, if you were partly at fault for a sideswipe crash in Alabama, you may not be able to recover compensation. This is because the state follows the common law practice of contributory negligence.
Under contributory negligence, victims can only recover compensation if they play no part in causing the incident that harmed them. However, you should never assume that you won’t be able to recover compensation without first speaking to an experienced lawyer. An attorney can provide an honest assessment of your situation and the options available to you.
What compensation can I get from a sideswipe accident?
The compensation you could receive through a sideswipe accident claim in Birmingham covers losses such as:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity caused by your injuries
- Permanent disability caused by the accident
- Physical pain and emotional suffering related to your injuries
- Property damage caused by the sideswipe collision
How soon should I contact a sideswipe accident lawyer?
You should always contact a sideswipe accident attorney as soon as possible following a collision. The earlier you hire a lawyer, the more time they’ll have to investigate, gather evidence, and build a strong case for your claim.
Additionally, Alabama’s personal injury statute of limitations typically gives victims two years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries, though there are some exceptions.
What can a sideswipe car crash lawyer do for me?
A sideswipe car crash lawyer can handle your case from start to finish, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries without worrying about dealing with insurance companies.
Specifically, your lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident to identify the at-fault party or parties
- Gather supporting evidence
- Calculate the value of your case
- File your insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement that covers your losses
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement
Will my insurance rate go up after a sideswipe collision?
Your insurance rate may go up after a sideswipe collision in Birmingham. This depends on several factors, such as the fine print of your policy and whether you were partially at fault for the accident.
In many cases, your insurance premiums will not increase, or will only increase a small amount, if you are not at fault for the accident.
Why Choose Collins Law, LLC, as Your Attorney for a Sideswipe Car Crash?
For over 10 years, Collins Law, LLC, has been helping accident victims across Alabama recover the compensation they need after car accidents caused by other drivers. We believe every person who experiences personal injustice deserves to be heard, and our lawyers are prepared to give you a voice in your battle against the insurance company.
“The timing of my accident was so stressful but the assistance that I got from Attorney Collins and her lovely staff was unmatched. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Thank you all for everything. I appreciate you!” – A. Benson
If you were injured in a Birmingham sideswipe collision, contact our firm today for a free consultation about your case and to learn more about how we can help you seek financial recovery. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your case, explain your options, and walk you through the insurance claims process so you know what to expect going forward.