The Law Office of Nikolaus W. Reed helps people that have been injured in car accidents in San Pablo. Being in an accident where another car sideswipes you might seem minor, but it can still lead to serious injuries in certain situations. Don’t let the aftermath of these accidents take over your life. Contact us for a free consultation to talk about your options.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Sideswipe Accident?
Whether you need a lawyer after a sideswipe car accident depends on a few different things, but mostly on the seriousness of your injuries and the damage to your car. If it’s a minor accident and you have all the insurance details, filing a claim might be enough.
But in cases where you’re more injured or there’s other questions to answer, my firm can help you by:
- Building a timeline of events.
- Exploring your options and recommending next steps.
- Gathering extra evidence like medical records.
- Talking to witnesses and reviewing insurance policies.
- Assisting with insurance claims, lawsuits, or both if necessary.
The decision to take further legal action is all yours, but we’re here to help. Your initial consultation is free, and we work on a contingency basis-so you pay nothing upfront.
What First Steps Should You Take After Being in a Sideswipe Accident?
Given the amount of cars on the road in San Pablo, it’s not all that surprising that sideswipe accidents are so common. But the question isn’t whether a sideswipe will happen to you, it’s all about what steps you need to take when you’re in one:
- Call 911 – First things first, call 911 to get the local police to the scene and also ask for an ambulance. Even if you feel fine, paramedics can check for hidden injuries and will take care of any immediate injuries.
- Take pictures – Use your phone to take pictures or videos of the damage, the accident scene, and anything else important. These will be key pieces of evidence for your claim.
- Get information – Swap insurance and contact information with the driver that sideswiped you. Also, make sure to talk to witnesses and write down their names and contact info. Their statements–and any photos or videos they have–can help show what happened.
- See a doctor – After the accident, visit a doctor within a few days to check for injuries. Keep all receipts and records of your medical care.
- Watch statements – Be careful when talking to police or insurance reps. Just try to stick to the facts of what happened and don’t make detailed statements or admit any fault.
By following these steps, you can strengthen your claim and build a solid case if you decide you want to take action. And given that you might be facing pretty serious injuries or damage, the claims process can really help you.
What Damages Can You Get in a Sideswipe Car Accident Claim?
Legally, a sideswipe accident is treated like any other car accident. If someone else’s negligence caused the crash, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. You can either:
- File an insurance claim out of court
- File a personal injury lawsuit
Depending on your injuries and losses, you may be able to recover things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers all expenses for treating your injuries, like doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing care if needed.
- Lost income – This covers any income you lose while recovering from the accident. If your injuries prevent you from working like before, you can claim for reduced earning capacity or permanent job loss.
- Car repair or replacement – This covers costs for fixing your vehicle or replacing it if it’s totaled, plus the cost of a rental car if needed.
- Pain and suffering – This covers costs relating to the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress – Similarly, this covers the mental health impact of the accident, like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and the cost of therapy if needed.
- Reduced quality of life – If your injuries stop you from enjoying your hobbies, sports, or other activities, you can claim for the loss of quality in your life.
Getting injured is something you never want to go through, whether it’s in a sideswipe or any other type of car accident. While these damages are available to you, you have to file within two years of the accident date to get them. But there’s other more important things you also need to figure out, starting with who pays for your damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Sideswipe?
Figuring out who’s responsible for a sideswipe car accident isn’t all that difficult. When a car crosses into your lane, that driver is mostly at fault. That means they’ll have to pay for your damages, but it also depends on the circumstances. So, any of the following might share liability if they’re also involved in the accident:
- Other drivers – Even if another car didn’t hit you, their actions–like unsafe lane changes or sudden braking–could have caused the accident.
- Passengers – A passenger who distracted the driver or interfered with driving might share some responsibility.
- Pedestrians and cyclists – If someone walking, biking, or riding behaved recklessly and caused unsafe conditions, they could be partly at fault.
- Car or parts makers – If a defect in the vehicle, like faulty brakes or steering, caused the accident, the carmaker might be liable.
- Government agencies – Poorly maintained roads, broken traffic signals, or unclear road signs could mean a city or state agency shares responsibility.
Anyone involved in the accident could be responsible. Knowing who’s at fault is important because that’s who will pay for your injuries and damages. And obviously, sideswipe accidents happen because someone wasn’t careful. So, looking at the actual cause can help you narrow down liability:
- Not checking their blind spot before changing lanes.
- Getting distracted by their phone, radio, or passengers.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Switching lanes quickly and without warning.
- Driving aggressively or carelessly.
- Forgetting to signal when changing lanes.
- Merging into another lane without looking.
- Trying to move into the same lane at the same time.
- Losing control of their car on wet or icy roads.
Sideswipe accidents, especially when they happen at high speeds, can cause serious injuries like head injuries, whiplash, broken bones, and damage to your back or neck. The more serious the injury, the higher your medical bills and other costs will be. But having the right legal help can make things easier and help reduce your stress and financial burden. My firm will be there to support you.
Get Help After a Sideswipe Accident in San Pablo
If you’ve been sideswiped in San Pablo, it can lead to serious injuries and car damage. But there are legal options to help you. At NWR Law, we can find out who’s at fault, deal with their insurance, and support you through the process. Contact us today for a free consultation to start your claim.