Due to its dense population, the City of New York is no stranger to car accidents. Every day, there are multiple crashes throughout the five boroughs. In fact, there were more than 12,000 car accidents in Brooklyn alone during just 1 year.
One common type of car accident that occurs frequently in the city is sideswiping. This is when two vehicles that are traveling alongside each other collide. In some cases, sideswiping accidents may be a gentle bump, but they may be deadly in others. Sideswiping may occur when the driver of one of the cars loses control after the collision and veers into other lanes, or even goes off the road.
Since sideswipe accidents can be deadly in some cases, familiarizing yourself with the common causes will enable you to take practical preventative steps that may actually save your life. Additionally, if you or your loved one has recently experienced a sideswipe accident, knowing what to do now will protect your right to pursue fair compensation.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Brooklyn, NY
Sideswipe accidents occur due to a variety of reasons. Since it can be a challenge to establish liability, being familiar with common causes of this type of accident can assist you in providing evidence to strengthen your claim should you experience an accident.
Some of the most common causes of sideswipe accidents in Brooklyn, NY, include the following:
- Distracted driving: When a driver’s attention is diverted away from concentrating on the road, the vehicle can easily veer into the other lane. The most common type of distracted driving is talking or texting on a phone. According toone source, there are more distracted drivers on the road today than drunk drivers. Other types of distracted driving include eating or drinking, engaging with passengers, and applying makeup.
- Improper lane changing: Quite often, a sideswipe accident will occur when two lanes merge into one, and one of the drivers fails to yield, thinking he or she can get ahead of the other driver. In other cases, a driver will aggressively weave through traffic, switching lanes without signaling and attempting to squeeze into small spaces between cars.
- Driving under the influence: If a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, his or her reflexes are slowed. Also, the driver’s judgment is impaired. Being behind the wheel in such a state can easily lead to the vehicle swerving into the other lane, sideswiping another vehicle.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while drowsy is the cause of more than 325,000 accidents every year, across the nation. In some cases, sleeping disorders, side effects from medications, or shift work is the cause of fatigued driving. But far too often, a driver fails to get sufficient rest before getting behind the wheel.
In some instances, it may appear that a negligent driver was totally at fault for the sideswipe accident. However, sometimes there may be other contributing factors that may not be immediately apparent.
Some of these factors include:
- A faulty car part: If the braking system, accelerator, tires, or a steering component becomes faulty, a driver may lose control of the car, resulting in a crash. In such a scenario, the cause of the accident would be a defective car part, making the manufacturer liable.
- Hazardous road conditions: When dangerous road conditions exist, such as potholes, huge cracks, and debris on the road, a driver may swerve to avoid contact with such hazards. This could result in a sideswipe accident. In this case, the city may be found to share some measure of liability.
- Inclement weather conditions: In some cases, bad weather conditions, such as dense fog, can limit a motorist’s visibility. Also, hazardous road conditions—such as rain, snow, or ice—can cause a driver to lose control and result in a sideswipe accident.
This list is by no means comprehensive. It does highlight, however, how determining who is liable for a sideswipe accident can be complicated in some cases. This is why it is crucial to have the assistance of a personal injury lawyer who knows how to perform a thorough investigation to obtain evidence, isolate the facts, and pursue all potentially liable parties for compensation.
Steps to Take after a Sideswipe Accident
Immediately after experiencing a sideswipe accident, you may be in a heightened emotional state. It may be difficult to concentrate on anything in such a state. However, there are several important steps that you should take that could help strengthen your claim for compensation.
These steps include:
- Immediately pull over and check for injuries. You should seek medical attention if needed. Your health is more important than the other steps listed here.
- If you are able, exchange information with the other driver. This includes his or her driver’s license and insurance information.
- Call 911 for police assistance. The police will document the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as their opinion of who or what was the cause.
- While waiting for the police to arrive, take as many pictures as possible of the damage to both vehicles. Also, take videos and photographs of the surrounding area, including the road and any potentially hazardous conditions.
- Obtain contact information of any witnesses to the sideswipe accident. Their testimonies could be used to strengthen your recollection of the facts.
- Consult an experienced car accident attorney before speaking with your insurance company. A lawyer would provide legal advice on how to proceed with your claim.
Get Legal Advice From a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or your loved one recently experienced a sideswipe accident in Brooklyn, know that the experienced car accident lawyers at Cellino Law stand ready to assist you with your claim.
Even if you did not suffer serious injuries in the crash, talk to our lawyers. Far too often, injuries that initially appear to be minor wind up worsening over time. By then, it may be too late.
You should not have to pay for medical treatment for an accident that you did not cause. The responsible party who caused your injury should pay for your recovery to ensure you have peace of mind and an enjoyable life ahead of you.
However, pursuing fair compensation after a car accident can be very complicated. First, insurance companies, including your own, will likely try to offer you a settlement amount far lower than you may be entitled to receive.
Insurers are in the market to make money, not to pay it out. Further, there may be a potentially liable third party, or the amount of fair compensation may exceed insurance limits. In either case, a lawsuit may need to be filed and pursued in court.
At Cellino Law, our lawyers have the resources needed to perform a thorough investigation, including hiring experts if needed. We also have a network of highly experienced attorneys around the country who can review your case. Let us put our more than 60 years of success with personal injury cases to work for you. We will fight, while you heal. Call us today at (800) 555-5555 to schedule a free consultation.