Lafayette Sideswipe Accident Lawyer

While sideswipes cause the least amount of fatalities in U.S. crashes, any injury or death can dramatically impact life and result in financial hardship. Common causes of sideswipe accidents include:

• Lane changes, with one driver failing to see an automobile traveling beside it due to inattention to blind spots
• Swerving to prevent a collision with another vehicle, animal, or any object in the roadway
• Any distracted driving behavior that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road and surroundings
• Aggressive driving incidents
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and any other reckless behavior
• Automobiles merging into the same lane at once
• Roadway conditions that lead to skidding or hydroplaning

Proving the cause of sideswipe accidents can be challenging. One of the significant roles of a Lafayette sideswipe accident attorney is to establish the other driver’s negligence in an accident.

Lafayette sideswipe accidents are dangerous due to the placement of impact. In front and back impact collisions, a crumple zone protects occupants. However, the sides of motor vehicles do not have the same protection.

Depending on the vehicle, side protection often has a structural gap. During a sideswipe accident, the sides of the vehicle will crumple inwards and into the same space as any passengers. People can suffer extensive physical trauma, including crushing injuries.

In addition, sideswipe accidents can lead to additional impacts on people or objects. Consider a billiard table. When a pool ball strikes another moving ball, they bounce off each other with considerable force. When a car swipes the side of another, the vehicles will bounce off each other into buildings, pedestrians, other cars, trees, and more.

Lafayette sideswipe accidents can produce traumatic injuries from the initial impact and secondary impacts, with an individual suffering strikes inside the vehicle. Many of these injuries can have delayed symptoms, often making it challenging to link the injury with the accident. Injuries can range in severity and include:

• Back, neck, and spine injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Organ damage and internal bleeding
• Scrapes, cuts, and contusions
• Broken bones
• Joint damage, particularly to the knee area

When you work with Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer, you will receive unwavering support regardless of your challenging circumstances when you need it most.

Most sideswipe accidents occur on fast-paced interstates, expressways, and highways where traffic is moving at a high speed. A common reaction to a sideswipe accident is one of the drivers swerving suddenly out of the way to avoid being hit, leading to a head-on collision.

Many sideswipe accidents occur during a lane change, and many more occur in parking lots where tight spaces and careless drivers abound.

Getting needed medical attention is the most vital step after an accident. The ability to access treatment immediately can prevent further damage and loss. When immediate emergency medical care is not required, take the following steps:

• Call 911: Law enforcement will document the accident, which can help determine liability and provide a police report to submit for insurance. According to Louisiana Law (§398.A), accidents resulting in more than $500 in damages must be reported.
• Gather contact information: Getting contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved makes taking action after an accident simpler. Ask for the contact information of any witnesses to the incident who can provide an unbiased perspective of the events of the sideswipe accident.
• Document the accident: Take pictures of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved, the position of the automobiles, skid marks or objects, and weather-related factors. Photograph your injuries as well.
• Never apologize or admit fault: Our human nature can produce the tendency to apologize when we see someone in pain. However, a simple apology or admitting fault without full awareness of the incident can be costly.
• Contact your insurance company: It is imperative to start the claims process as soon as possible by providing pertinent information about the accident, such as when it happened and the other driver’s information. Speak to a Lafayette sideswipe accident attorney before making any recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer.

Experiencing a surge of adrenaline following a sideswipe crash is common, and failing to realize the severity of your injuries can occur. Schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor to discuss the accident and any symptoms that have developed since the accident or potential side effects from your injuries. Documentation from a physician is critical following a sideswipe accident, and failing to obtain appropriate medical care can significantly reduce the compensation you may recover.

An injured driver in a Lafayette sideswipe accident is responsible for proving the other driver’s negligence in an accident. Documenting critical evidence can be difficult while in recovery from serious injuries. Even in minor accidents, understanding what elements must be proven to demonstrate negligence requires extensive legal experience. 

Louisiana is a comparative fault state. An injured person may recover damages if they were partially at fault. However, their compensation will be reduced. An attorney will work to protect your best interests and establish fault as accurately and fairly as possible. 

Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer can help your claim by:  

• Gathering and compiling critical evidence, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements
• Sending demand letters, when applicable, to protect the erasure or deletion of time-sensitive information, including videotape evidence and commercial truck logs. 
• Evaluating the damages incurred in the accident to determine your claim’s proper value.
• Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure accurate and pertinent information is given and the settlement is fair. 
• Preparing and filing the extensive paperwork and ensuring all deadlines are met according to the legal time limits (§1209.A).
• Providing guidance on what to do and not to do after an accident, such as posting on social media or speaking with insurance adjusters.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached and the case must proceed to trial, our attorneys will provide strong representation and fight for the full value of your claim. 

Insurance companies profit most when they settle claims quickly before the total damages can be assessed and by paying out as little as possible. When injuries are significant, it can require time to determine the extent of the damages someone has suffered, and agreeing to a hasty settlement can result in a substantial reduction in the compensation you need to compensate for expenses. Let a Lafayette sideswipe accident lawyer fight to keep the insurance company from diminishing the value of your injuries.

The compensation that may be available is directly impacted by the extent of your damages resulting from the accident. While the costs associated with some injuries are more straightforward to document other injuries requires the experience of a sideswipe accident attorney in Lafayette, who can apply specific formulas to calculate future medical expenses and the cost of damages, such as pain and suffering. Compensation for damages that may be available to you includes:

• Costs of medical care and treatment for any injuries, including ongoing therapies
• Lost wages, potential bonuses, or any income unavailable to you because of the incident
• Medication and medical equipment rental costs
• Home care needs
• Transportation costs to medical appointments
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or amputation

This list is not a complete compilation of the damages that may be available to you following a sideswipe accident. Understanding the extent of your injuries and working to ensure the maximum compensation available to you is our goal. Reaching out as soon as possible lets us take action to determine if you have a case and provide the service you need while recovery can remain at the forefront of your goals.