Sideswipe Collision Causes and Injuries
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What You Need to Know About Sideswipe Collisions

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm on May 31, 2018 in Auto Accident
Updated on February 24, 2022

sideswipe crash with two carsSideswipe collisions occur when two vehicles make contact that are next to one another and are moving in the same direction. Sideswipe accidents tend to occur at higher speeds and can cause more severe injuries than rear-end or turning collisions.

If you or a loved one was injured in a sideswipe collision, it may be in your best interest to seek legal counsel. An experienced Sacramento, CA car accident lawyer can discuss the legal options that you have to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Sideswipe Collisions

Driver error is usually responsible for sideswipe accidents, such as:

  • Distracted driving – These collisions occur because a motorist is not paying attention due to distractions like texting, using the internet, talking on the phone, talking with another occupant in the vehicle, adjusting vehicle settings or using other electronic devices.
  • Speeding – A motorist may lose control of his or her vehicle when driving at higher speeds or driving too fast for the area. Speeding can be especially dangerous when driving through construction zones or school zones.
  • Failing to yield – A driver may begin to merge into another lane and not yield to oncoming traffic, causing a sideswipe accident in the process.
  • Overcorrection – A child or animal may run out in front of a driver who may swerve into an adjoining lane, causing a sideswipe accident. In other situations, a driver may see a hazard and overcorrect to avoid the hazard, and hit another vehicle.
  • Drowsy driving – Sleepy or fatigued drivers may drift into another lane or fall asleep behind the wheel. This may cause them to collide with another vehicle.
  • Impaired driving – Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may have their depth perception and judgment hindered, resulting in them colliding with an adjacent vehicle.  
  • Reckless driving – Drivers who engage in dangerous driving maneuvers like frequently changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, speeding or being overly aggressive may cause sideswipe collisions. Some collisions of this nature are even intentional when a driver rams his or her vehicle into another vehicle.

Sideswipe Injuries

Sideswipe accidents can be difficult to anticipate or avoid. They can be very dangerous because both motorists are often driving at high speeds when these accidents occur.

Additionally, sideswipe collisions primarily impact the side of the vehicle, where there is typically less protection than at the front or back of a vehicle. This factor may cause victims to suffer more serious injuries. The actual injuries that a victim suffers and their severity depend on many other factors, such as the size of the vehicles involved, the momentum involved in the crash and the vehicle with which they were speeding.

Common injuries that occur in sideswipe collisions include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Damage to internal organs
  • Neck, back and shoulder injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Fractures
  • Hip damage and injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Cuts and bruises

Contact a Lawyer for Help

The experienced personal injury lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm have successfully recovered compensation for victims injured in car accidents for more than 40 years. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate if you have a case against a negligent driver.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today to get started.