How Do Sideswipe Accidents Happen?

Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles make contact side-to-side. This type of accident is often perceived as minor or less dangerous than other collision types, such as head-on or T-bone crashes.

However, many of them can result in serious injuries or death, especially at high speeds. The Insurance Information Institute reported that sideswipes caused 1,067 fatal crashes nationwide in 2022.

Find out how to keep yourself safe from sideswipe accidents by learning how they happen, when they are the most likely, and defensive-driving techniques to avoid them.

If another driver injured you in a sideswipe crash, a Syracuse car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

What Are Sideswipe Accidents?

A sideswipe accident happens when the sides of two vehicles collide. These accidents typically damage both vehicles’ sides, doors, and side mirrors. They usually fall into two categories:

• Same-direction Sideswipes: These occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make side-to-side contact, such as when the right side of one car scrapes or bumps another car’s left side. This type of accident happens most often on multi-lane roads and highways.

• Opposite-direction Sideswipes: These occur when one vehicle traveling in one direction scrapes against another traveling in the opposite direction. For example, when one car’s left side at an intersection scrapes another car’s left side.

Sideswipe accidents can happen anywhere: city streets, highways, residential roads, intersections, and parking lots. However, the dangers they pose increases with speed and traffic density.

When a sideswipe occurs at high speeds, the impact is more likely to cause both drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of a serious accident and injuries.

High-Risk Scenarios for Sideswipe Accidents

Numerous road situations can lead to a sideswipe crash. Most of them involve a distracted or irresponsible driver failing to keep their vehicle under control. Examples include:

• Unsafe Lane Changes: When a driver does not check their mirrors, fails to signal, or begins a lane change without verifying it is clear.

• Merging Accidents: Drivers entering a highway and failing to yield or wait for a safe opportunity to pass, resulting in a sideswipe with vehicles already in a lane.

• Distracted Driving: Driving while texting, eating, or using a smartphone can result in drifting away from the lane and hitting another car.

• Blind Spot Errors: Failing to check a blind spot while turning at an intersection, merging, or changing lanes on a multi-lane road.

• Unsafe Driving on Narrow Roads: Failing to keep a safe distance from parked cars or oncoming vehicles can cause sideswipe accidents.

• Inclement Weather: Driving in bad weather, such as rainy or foggy conditions, can reduce visibility and increase the likelihood of sideswipes.

Common Injuries in Sideswipe Accidents

Many sideswipes happen at low speeds and only damage the vehicles involved: scratched paint, dented doors, or broken side mirrors. However, at higher speeds or as part of a more severe accident, a sideswipe accident can cause injuries such as:

• Whiplash: A high-speed sideswipe can cause the head to jerk suddenly side-to-side, straining the neck and shoulders.

• Concussions and Head Trauma: A forceful side impact can cause the head to impact a side window. At high speeds, this can cause concussions, brain injuries, or skull fractures.

• Arm and Shoulder Injuries: Sideswipe impacts can send occupants against the doors and door trim, such as handles and armrests, causing bruises, cuts, or broken bones.

• Cuts and Bleeding: High-speed sideswipes can sometimes break or shatter windows and door elements, cutting occupants with the debris.

Preventing Sideswipe Accidents Through Defensive Driving

While you cannot predict how other drivers will behave on the road, you can take measures to avoid dangerous or reckless individuals and limit the risk of a sideswipe.

Here are some common defensive driving techniques:

• Keep aware of your vehicle’s position. Keep your vehicle centered in your lane whenever possible. Before changing lanes or passing, always check your mirrors and blind spots, and make sure to leave enough space between you and the vehicle you’re passing.

• Maintain situational awareness. Always watch and anticipate what other drivers are doing. Check for vehicles approaching quickly, swerving, or behaving erratically. If you’re on the highway or a multi-lane road in New York, follow the state’s recommendations and keep to the rightmost lane except when passing.

• Use modern safety features. If your vehicle is equipped with modern safety systems, such as lane departure warning systems or blind spot monitoring, use them as much as possible.

Contact a Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer After a Sideswipe Accident

Sideswipe crashes can happen in an instant on Syracuse’s busy roads. If another driver’s negligence injured you, reach out to a local car accident lawyer who understands New York law and knows how to get results for crash victims.

The legal team at Catalano Law is ready to assess the facts of what happened, offer legal guidance, and help you get the evidence needed to build a case against the at-fault driver.

Contact our offices for a free, confidential consultation.