WHO IS RESPONSIBLE IN A SIDESWIPE ACCIDENT?
Who is at Fault in a Sideswipe Accident?
Nevada auto accident laws require drivers to stay a single land of travel “until the driver has given the appropriate turn signal” and determined the “movement can be made with safety.” So, in a sideswipe accident, the driver who fails to stay in their single lane of travel is generally the party at fault for the car accident. However, as is often the case with the law, this is not the end of the analysis. There can be times when, for whatever reason, other drivers do something that causes another driver to leave their lane of travel. In cases like this, it is essential to hire an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer who can identify all the parties responsible for your automobile accident.
What is a Sideswipe Accident?
As the name implies, a sideswipe accident is an accident between two motor vehicles, typically traveling in the same direction of traffic, where the sides of both cars make an impact. These collisions usually happen because one of the two vehicles moved out of the lane it was traveling in at a time when it was unsafe to do so.
Sideswipe accidents can cause significant damages and severe injuries, mainly when they occur on highways, because often, neither vehicle is aware the accident is about to happen. The surprise of the impact can cause the vehicles to lose control or overcompensate for a car or truck that “came out of nowhere.”
This often leads to a chain reaction of events that, unfortunately, can involve more than just the two vehicles involved in the initial sideswipe accident. The best Las Vegas car accident lawyers understand the causes of these accidents and what to do when they happen.
What are the Common Causes of Sideswipe Collisions?
Sideswipe collisions can occur for lots of different reasons. Nevertheless, most happen simply because one of the drivers was momentarily not paying attention. Some of the most common causes of sideswipe accidents include:
Distracted drivers illegally using their cell phones while driving
Drivers failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
Road rage incidents, racing, or reckless driving
Failure to signal a lane change
Merging onto the highway without being careful
Two drivers changing lanes at the same time
Drunk drivers drifting out of their lane
Hydroplaning on wet roads
What Should I Do After a Sideswipe Accident?
Most of our clients come to us because they do not know what to do after an accident. Below are five steps you should take to protect you and your family’s rights after a sideswipe accident:
Seek Medical Attention – At Cohan PLLC, the most important thing for us is you and your family’s future. If you are not healthy, it is hard to go about your daily life. So, while it may not be the first thing you will do, the number one thing you can do if you are in an accident is to seek medical attention to address your injuries. If you do not have insurance, one way to pay for your treatments might be medical liens.
Call the Police – As it relates to deciding fault, nothing is more determinative in a car accident case than the police report. So, if you are able, you should call the police and have a report made no matter what the driver who hit you says they are going to do.
Take Photographs – We can visit the car accident scene after the fact, but we can never fully recreate it as it existed on that day. So, if possible, you should get photographs of both the damage to the vehicles and the accident scene itself. Our expert accident reconstructionists will use this information to make their determinations about fault.
Get Everyone’s Information – If there are issues with a police report, independent third-party witnesses can make or break cases when it is, “he said, she said.” They can offer powerful evidence for your case. So, if possible, identify anyone who saw the accident and get their information.
Contact Experienced Lawyers – With automobile injury cases, time is of the essence. That is because insurance companies will do anything they can in the initial days after an accident to position themselves for potential litigation. Contacting Cohan PLLC, experienced car accident lawyers in Las Vegas will give you the advantage you need.
How Much Does Hiring a Lawyer Cost?
Cohan PLLC works on a contingency fee and we pay all the litigation expenses upfront. This means that you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we do not win your case, we eat our expenses, and you pay nothing. If we win, in addition to our costs being reimbursed out of the proceeds, our attorney’s fee is 33.33% if we settle before filing a lawsuit, 40% if we file a lawsuit, and 45% if the case goes up on appeal.
Contact a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer at Cohan PLLC today for a 100% free consultation.
Have You Been Injured? We Can Help.
Suffering an injury at the hands of someone else is a profoundly disorienting experience. Many of our clients come to us because they simply don't know what to do next. What kind of claims do they need to file? What do they do to get medical care for their loved ones, or how do they afford a funeral in the wake of a wrongful death? Most of our clients ask an even more straightforward question: "with all my medical expenses, how do I provide for my family?"
Regardless of your situation, you are bound to have countless questions. Cohan PLLC will help you get answers. To help you find your feet during this difficult time, we have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions and provided general answers. For specific answers about your case, review your legal options with us in a free consultation.
Contact our accident lawyers if you were involved in a serious car accident at (888) 424-2736. We're ready to fight for what is right and get you the compensation you deserve.