Sideswipe Accident Lawyer in Hollywood, FL
Sideswipe accidents can happen in the blink of an eye in Hollywood, Florida, leaving drivers and passengers with serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and emotional pain that can linger for years.
If you suffered an injury in a Hollywood sideswipe accident because of another party’s wrongful actions, you need an experienced lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and seek maximum compensation for your losses. The sideswipe accident lawyers at Rosen & Ohr, P.A., have the skill and dedication to fight for your rights and hold the at-fault party accountable.
Contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A., today for a free consultation to learn what we can do for you.
Why You Should Choose Our Law Firm After a Sideswipe Crash
After a sideswipe crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you need a zealous advocate to pursue the compensation you deserve. Let Rosen & Ohr, P.A., help you through this difficult time. Our firm provides personalized, compassionate, and effective legal representation in the following ways:
- Listening to you to understand your unique goals and challenges
- Thoroughly investigating your sideswipe accident case
- Exploring every legal option available to you
- Fighting aggressively for maximum compensation
- Pursuing the best possible outcome, even if that means going to trial
What Is a Sideswipe Accident?
A sideswipe accident usually occurs when the sides of two vehicles traveling parallel to each other scrape or swipe against each other. Several possible scenarios could constitute a sideswipe accident, including the following examples:
- Two vehicles are traveling parallel when one driver intentionally changes lanes without checking their surroundings and collides with the other.
- Two vehicles are traveling parallel when one driver initiates a turn at a roadway junction and collides with the other side-on
- Two vehicles are traveling parallel when a drowsy, distracted, or impaired driver drifts into the other’s lane and collides with the side of the other vehicle.
- Two vehicles are traveling parallel when one driver attempts a pass and sideswipes the other vehicle due to poor timing or depth perception.
- One vehicle reverses out of a parking spot or into an adjacent lane and collides with another vehicle to its rear.
- One vehicle attempts to merge onto a roadway and collides with a vehicle already on that road.
In some cases, the initial sideswipe impact may be less severe, but it could cause the driver to lose control and trigger a secondary impact with another vehicle or fixed object.
Unsafe Lane Change Accident Statistics in Hollywood, FL
According to an analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two-vehicle lane change crashes accounted for 9 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes in a one-year study period. Thirty-eight percent of these crashes involved one vehicle intentionally changing lanes and colliding with another traveling in the same direction.
Some sideswipe crashes prove deadly. According to the National Safety Council, sideswipe collisions accounted for 2 million accidents in one recent year, or about 21 percent of all traffic collisions. These accidents accounted for about 342,000 injuries and 1,600 deaths.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Crashes in Hollywood
Common causes of sideswipe crashes in Hollywood, FL, include the following:
- Failure to check blind spots – Drivers must check their blind spots before changing lanes or merging into traffic. If they fail to do so, they can miss other vehicles and collide with them.
- Distracted driving – When drivers get distracted by their phones, meals, or other passengers, they might ignore their surroundings and accidentally sideswipe other vehicles.
- Fatigued driving – Drivers who are tired or drowsy often have slower reaction times and reduced alertness to their surroundings, which can lead to sideswipe accidents when fatigued drivers drift into neighboring lanes unintentionally.
- Reckless driving – Reckless driving behaviors, like speeding and weaving through traffic, can also increase the risk of a sideswipe accident.
- Improper lane change – Drivers who change lanes abruptly without signaling properly can surprise other drivers and contribute to preventable sideswipe collisions.
- Improper passing – Drivers can only pass other vehicles when it is safe and legal. Improper passing significantly increases the risk of sideswipe collisions.
Effects of Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions can cause catastrophic injuries for the victims directly involved in the collision and those within proximity who get caught up in the mayhem. That’s because a sideswipe accident can cause drivers to lose control by forcing vehicles to swerve, spin, or roll over, depending on the speed and angle of impact. As a result, secondary collisions are common after sideswipe accidents, and these collisions can be just as dangerous and destructive as the initial crash.
Whether from the original crash or a secondary collision, sideswipe crash victims can suffer a range of accident-related injuries, including the following:
- Cuts and bruises
- Strains and sprains
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Who Is at Fault for a Sideswipe Accident?
Under Florida law, a driver can only move out of a lane once they have determined that they can do so safely. Therefore, the driver who initiates an unsafe or improper lane change is typically responsible for a sideswipe accident.
In some cases, more than one driver could bear responsibility for a sideswipe collision. For example, if one driver is speeding, and the other driver suddenly changes lanes without signaling, both drivers might share fault for the accident.
If you get hurt in a sideswipe accident in Hollywood, you should work with our personal injury lawyers, who can investigate your case and gather the necessary evidence to prove fault.
What to Do After a Sideswipe Accident in Hollywood FL
If you are at home, recovering from your injuries after a sideswipe accident, you might wonder what to do next. First and foremost, take care of yourself. Follow your doctor’s orders and pay close attention to changes in your medical condition.
Consider documenting your health progress in a daily journal. This could help you quantify your physical pain, psychological suffering, and emotional distress in a future injury claim. You should also consult a sideswipe accident attorney who can explain your options for seeking compensation as soon as possible.
Talk to Our Experienced Hollywood Sideswipe Accident Attorneys Today
At Rosen & Ohr, P.A., we understand the devastating impact a sideswipe accident can have on your life and livelihood. That’s why we are committed to providing personalized and compassionate legal representation to each and every one of our clients.
Contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A., today to speak with one of our sideswipe crash lawyers in a free initial case evaluation.