Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
A sideswipe accident involves a collision between one side of a car and another car’s side. Sideswipe accidents might not look as dangerous as, say, head-on collisions; however, that view is deceptive, and you can suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries in a sideswipe collision. Below are some of the potential causes of sideswipes.
Negligent Merging
You must ensure that you won't end up alongside another motorist before merging. For example, whenever your lane is about to merge with another, you must:
- Pay attention to your surroundings, including other road users
- Signal properly
- Maintain an appropriate speed
Otherwise, a sideswipe accident might occur since merging combines two traffic streams. For example, a sideswipe accident might occur if you are too slow and allows another motorist to catch up to you.
Negligent Lane Changes
Negligent lane changes can lead to a sideswipe accident by forcing two cars to share a lane. Examples of negligent lane changes include:
- Failing to signal so other motorists don't know your intention
- Lane changes at the last minute that don't give other motorists time to react to your maneuvers
- Failing to use your side mirrors and not noticing other road users too close to you
A good lane change should place you behind or ahead of the nearest motorist and not alongside them.
Improper Turns
A proper turn requires good skills and experience. Turning too tightly might place part of your car in the inner lane. Turning too wide might place you in the outer lane. A sideswipe accident might occur if other cars are turning at the same time as you.
Speeding
Speeding alone might not cause an accident. However, speeding increases the risk of a crash under certain circumstances. For example, speeding increases the risk of a crash if:
- Visibility is poor
- The road surface is slippery
- The car tires have an inadequate tread
For example, your car might skid into the next lane if you drive too fast after a snowfall.
Overcorrection
Some maneuvers are necessary to avoid accidents, but over-applying those maneuvers can cause a crash. For example, swerving to avoid a pedestrian, stepping on the brakes too abruptly, or accelerating too fast can all lead to sideswipe accidents.
Distractions
Driving distractions can lead to sideswipe accidents in multiple ways. For example, you might drift out of your lane while tuning the radio, using your cell phone, etc. You might also fail to notice an errant driver while distracted. Typical causes of distractions include eating, using the phone, or adjusting car settings.
Intoxication or Drowsiness
Intoxication causes accidents in multiple ways. For example, intoxication:
- Impairs judgment
- Reduces concentration
- Slows reaction times
- Induces drowsiness
For example, you can drift out of your lane while busy talking on the phone. Drowsiness and intoxication have roughly the same effects.
Road Rage
Road rage incidents can also lead to accidents, including sideswipe accidents. Consider a driver who tries to run you off the road because they think you refused to give them the right of way. Such a driver can cause a sideswipe accident if the road is narrow and you don't have maneuvering space.
Car Defects
Sideswipe accidents are not always due to drivers error. Other causes beyond drivers can also lead to such accidents. For example, even the most cautious driver can lose control of their car due to an unexpected car defect, such as loss of steering or braking power. In such a case, you might drift into other lanes or fail to avoid other drivers drawing up alongside your car.
Knowing why an auto accident occurred can help you identify the people liable for your damages. The knowledge can also help you prove your claim. Contact Todd East Attorney at Law if you are a victim of an accident. We will review the circumstances of your case and help you recover your damages.
