Side-swipe car accidents are one of the most common types of collisions. This type of accidents, in which the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle, can result in significant damage. A driver who is involved in a side-swipe accident may sustain severe injuries because the other vehicle strikes them directly.

Liability in some types of accidents, such as rear-end collisions, is nearly uniform in most situations. The fault for a rear-end collision is almost always attributed to the person driving in the back. But because side-swipe accidents often involve two cars moving in similar ways, determining fault can be complicated.

Causes of Side-Swipe Collisions

Responsibility for a side-swipe accident will depend on how the accident occurred. The movement of the vehicles alone can exhibit who is liable for the damages.

Side-swipe accidents usually occur when drivers are:

  • Merging

  • Changing lanes

  • Completing a multi-lane turn

The cause of an accident can be determined based on witness accounts, the type of vehicle damage, and security footage, if it is available. With the support of other forms of evidence, fault can be determined.

Side-Swipe Accident Evidence

In car accident cases, drivers must be able to demonstrate how the collision happened, and who caused the incident. Expert witnesses can examine vehicle damage, through photographs and other physical representations, as signs of how each vehicle was moving at the time of the crash. For example, damage closer to the front passenger side of one vehicle, paired with damage to the back driver side of the other car, can be evidence that a driver changed lanes without checking their mirrors and blind spot. This would exhibit negligence and attribute fault to the driver who switched lanes.

The process of recovering compensation after a car accident can be complicated. To help with your case, contact Frohlich, Gordon & Beason, P.A.

Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys by sending us a message or by calling us at (941) 979-9010.