Being involved in any accident can be unwelcome. Although some of these accidents might be minor, when sideswiped it is important to take action quickly to protect yourself because even minor collisions can cause significant damage. All it takes is a momentary lapse in attention or the smallest maneuver in the wrong direction for two cars to make contact in a sideswipe accident.
Sideswipe accidents can happen both when cars are traveling in opposite directions and when they’re traveling in the same direction. They most frequently happen when one vehicle begins moving into the other vehicle’s lane, sometimes caused by drunk, drowsy, distracted or reckless driving. Drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots can also end up in California sideswipe accidents.
It’s important to realize that sideswipe collisions can also happen with a parked vehicle. Initial contact from a sideswipe accident might not be significant, but the impact of another vehicle hitting another can cause either of those drivers to lose control of their own car and swerving can cause the second driver to crash into other objects like light posts, trees, guardrails and other cars.
Rollover crashes can also occur when a sideswipe accident happens. If your car is drivable, immediately move it off the road as much as possible and contact the authorities. Everyone involved in a sideswipe accident should get medical attention in case there are issues that occur following the crash. If you or someone you know has already been hurt in a California sideswipe crash, you need to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your interests.