One potential type of motor vehicle accident that could take place on a San Antonio roadway is the sideswipe accident, where the sides of two vehicles collide with each other or make contact. Understanding your rights as a victim of a sideswipe collision in Texas is important. You may need assistance from a car accident attorney in San Antonio to obtain fair financial compensation.

What Is a Sideswipe Accident?

A sideswipe accident describes a motor vehicle collision where two cars sustain an impact against their sides, either while traveling in the same or opposite directions. While sideswipes may not be as serious as direct impacts, such as T-bone or head-on collisions, they can still cause significant damage, including secondary crashes and serious injuries.

What Are Common Causes of Sideswipes?

The sideswipe accident is a common type of crash in San Antonio, especially on crowded and congested highways such as I-10, I-35 and Loop 1604. This type of accident can occur when a motor vehicle driver makes an unsafe lane change, merges on top of another driver or drifts into an adjacent lane. Sideswipe accidents can be caused by many types of driver errors, such as:

In addition, sideswipes can occur when a motor vehicle experiences an equipment malfunction, such as a tire blowout or brake failure. Much of the damage from a sideswipe accident can occur due to how a driver reacts to the initial contact. Many drivers overreact, which can result in a loss of vehicle control, secondary car accidents and vehicle rollovers.

Who Is Liable for a Sideswipe Accident in Texas?

Sideswipe accidents in San Antonio often occur because of preventable acts of negligence, or the failure to act with proper care. For example, driver inattention or poor vehicle maintenance can increase the odds of these collisions. When someone else is to blame for a sideswipe accident, a victim can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. Holding a driver liable, or financially responsible, for a sideswipe in Texas could lead to financial compensation for related injuries, medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, the victim will have to prove the case against the other driver using clear and convincing evidence.

How to Prove a Sideswipe Accident Claim

If you get involved in a sideswipe accident in San Antonio, do your best to start gathering information and evidence while you are still at the scene. This includes talking to eyewitnesses and taking photos of the crash scene. Bring this information to a car accident lawyer for a case review and comprehensive crash investigation. An attorney can help you collect further evidence, such as hiring accident reconstruction and medical experts, to prove your case. Your lawyer will work to establish that the other driver violated a traffic law or behaved negligently and caused the sideswipe. It is especially important to rely on an attorney if there is a liability dispute involved in your claim.

How a Sideswipe Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Help

A car accident lawyer in San Antonio will have the experience, knowledge and tools to build a case against another driver for causing your sideswipe collision. A San Antonio personal injury lawyer can take over your claim if there is a dispute regarding fault, such as if both drivers were changing lanes at the same time. A lawyer can communicate with insurance claims adjusters on your behalf to negotiate for a fair settlement or bring your car accident case to trial in San Antonio, if necessary. For more information about how legal representation could benefit you during a sideswipe accident claim in San Antonio, contact the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo, LLP for a free consultation.