You Have Been Sideswiped on the Road: Now What?
When a tractor-trailer loaded with bricks veered from its lane and sideswiped a nearby pickup, it led to yet another collision between two more vehicles on I-215 in Murrieta in August 2022. While this incident did not lead to injuries or fatalities, there were plenty of frayed nerves and lots of property damage.
Others Not So Lucky
Sometimes sideswipe accidents are less “accidental,” as in the case of road rage, for example, and often they result in serious injuries or death. Such was the situation in a Temecula sideswipe incident in August 2022, when a resident of Perris was killed.
What is a Sideswipe Accident?
Sideswipe incidents generally occur when one vehicle slides out of its designated lane into another vehicle and the sides of said vehicles collide—to the tune of nearly 250,000 such incidents throughout the United States annually. They usually, though not necessarily, occur when vehicles are travelling in the same direction. They even transpire when one vehicle is completely stationary. The reasons a vehicle veers from its lane can include the following:
- The driver is distracted by a phone, passenger, or another issue;
- Drowsiness has impacted a driver’s concentration;
- Drugs or alcohol diminished a driver’s cognitive abilities;
- A driver fails to check a blind spot before changing lanes;
- Weather conditions lead to hydroplaning, sliding, or skidding out of one’s lane.
According to the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts, between 8% and 9% of crashes are sideswipes, which result in about 1,500 deaths throughout the country annually. Here in California, the number of fatalities related to sideswipes comes in at roughly 320 annually.
Injuries Related to Sideswipe Incidents
To be sure, a fatality is the worst possible scenario in any accident. Many serious injuries, however, have been linked to these kinds of accidents, as well, including:
- Fractures and abrasions;
- Nerve damage;
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries;
- Neck and spinal cord injuries;
- Injuries to joints and ligaments.
The Aftermath of a Sideswipe Injury
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a sideswipe accident and are suffering serious injuries or worse, you may be entitled to damages to address medical bills, lost present and future wages, and more. It is important to fight for these, particularly when the other party was reckless or negligent, because the long-term impacts of an accident could leave you reeling with financial impacts otherwise.
Advocating for You After a Car Accident in Temecula
Following any significant accident, people often feel isolated and overwhelmed. But at Gibbs & Fuerst, our experienced and compassionate personal injury attorneys are on your side, prepared to advocate for the best possible outcomes for you. To discuss the possibilities, schedule a free, confidential consultation with the Temecula Personal Injury Attorneys at Gibbs & Fuerst today.