If you need legal representation for any accident involving a large commercial size truck, trust Burg Simpson's experience. Schedule your free consultation today.

Sideswipe accidents cause serious injuries, especially when they involve tractor-trailer trucks. With the extensive blind spots that large trucks have, lane changes and merges become extremely hazardous. Statistics show most sideswipe car accidents occur on the vehicle's left rear side.

While modern vehicles feature blind spot detection systems, older models lack this technology. We urge drivers to remain attentive to blind spots while prioritizing road safety.

At Burg Simpson Law Firm, we understand the devastating impact of such collisions. If you or a loved one has been affected by a sideswipe accident, our empathetic and knowledgeable team of personal injury lawyers at Burg Simpson is here to help. Call for a free consultation at 888-895-2080.

Side Impact Tractor-Trailer Collisions: What You Need to Know

A sideswipe accident occurs when the side of one vehicle contacts another. Often occurring between vehicles traveling parallel to each other, these collisions usually happen due to blind spots that hinder a driver’s awareness of surrounding traffic.

Sideswipe accidents with large trucks can cause severe injuries or fatalities due to their size and weight. To put things in perspective, a tractor-trailer can weigh between 35,000 and 80,000 pounds compared to a couple thousand for the average passenger vehicle. If a truck driver fails to notice a car in their blind spot during a lane change, a collision can force the vehicle into oncoming traffic, further increasing the destruction caused.

In extreme cases, fatalities can occur. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 5,000 large truck accidents resulted in death in 2020.

Avoiding a Large Truck Disaster: Understanding the Six Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents often happen during lane changes or when two vehicles attempt to merge onto the same roadway. Sideswipe semi-truck accidents have devastating consequences. Understanding what causes these types of accidents may help to prevent them. The six primary factors which contribute to sideswipe collisions are:

  1. Blind Spots: Trucks' large blind spots make it hard for drivers to see surrounding vehicles, potentially causing sideswipe accidents during lane changes.
  2. Distracted Driving: Sideswipe accidents can result from drivers not paying attention to the road because they use their cell phones, eat, or adjust their devices. These distractions can lead to unintentional lane drifting.
  3. Aggressive Driving: Behaviors like speeding or tailgating increase collision risks.
  4. Poor Road Conditions: Unsafe roads may force tractor-trailer trucks to maneuver quickly, potentially causing collisions with nearby vehicles.
  5. Driver Fatigue: Long hours of driving can lead to drowsiness and reduced alertness, causing unintentional lane drifting and accidents.
  6. High Speeds: Elevated speeds can worsen sideswipe accidents, resulting in severe injuries.

Sideswipe Accidents With Tractor-Trailer Trucks: Common Injuries and Long-Term Consequences

Sideswipe car accidents can lead to devastating injuries and long-term consequences for those involved. Common injuries resulting from these collisions include:

  1. Severe head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries result from sudden head impacts. Symptoms may be delayed but include headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Severe TBI cases may cause permanent damage or death.
  2. Damage to the spinal cord: Spinal cord damage can disrupt brain-body signaling, causing loss of sensation, movement, chronic pain, or paralysis. Spinal cord injuries sustained in a sideswipe car accident with a semi-truck often require extensive medical treatment that may include surgical intervention, physical therapy, and lifelong care.
  3. Shattered bones: Sideswipe collisions can cause broken bones or fractures due to forceful impact. Victims may suffer multiple bone breaks or compound fractures requiring surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and rehabilitation.
  4. Damage to internal organs: Sideswipe accidents can cause organ damage, internal bleeding, and chest or abdominal injuries. Symptoms don't always appear immediately, making them especially dangerous. In some personal injury cases, internal injuries could require surgery or lengthy hospitalization.
  5. Torn or strained muscles: Sudden force can stretch or tear muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Symptoms include swelling and stiffness. One example of a soft tissue injury resulting from a sideswipe car accident with a large truck is whiplash. This injury occurs when the head is jerked back and forth during impact. The force can cause tiny tears in neck muscles leading to stiffness or pain in the neck area.
  6. Post-traumatic stress: PTSD can include flashbacks or nightmares, heightened startle response, and avoidance behaviors such as avoiding driving altogether.

From Collision to Compensation: What to Do After a Sideswipe Incident

If you are involved in a car accident with a tractor-trailer truck, take immediate steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Here are some steps to take after a sideswipe car accident incident:

  1. Assess injuries: Examine yourself and others for injuries after the car accident. Call 911 emergency services if medical help is needed.
  2. Move to safety: If feasible, move your vehicle to a secure spot away from traffic, such as the roadside.
  3. Record the car accident scene: Capture photos of the damage to all vehicles and any visible injuries. Obtain contact details from witnesses.
  4. Swap details: Share insurance and contact information with other drivers involved in the collision.
  5. Inform your insurer: Promptly report the sideswipe car accident to your insurance company. Provide necessary details, such as your policy information, medical records, and a police report.
  6. Obtain medical care: Even if you feel uninjured, seek medical attention to detect concealed injuries and establish a medical record on the day of the accident.
  7. Speak with an experienced attorney: Consult a seasoned car accident attorney to understand your legal rights and potential avenues for compensation.

Remember, taking these steps after a sideswipe truck accident can help protect your legal rights as well as ensure you get compensated for your damages.

Sideswipe Truck and Car Accidents: How is Fault Determined?

Determining fault in a tractor-trailer related sideswipe collision involves examining various factors. To best determine which driver caused the accident, the following evidence will need to be examined and considered:

  • Witness statements - They can provide firsthand accounts of what happened leading up to the sideswipe collision and help fill in any gaps in evidence. It is essential to look for consistency and accuracy across all statements. Any discrepancies or inconsistencies may require further investigation.
  • Police report - This document contains information such as the location, time, and date of the sideswipe collision, as well as the statements of any witnesses and the involved parties. In addition, a police report may indicate whether any traffic laws were violated, such as improper lane changes or failure to yield, which can also aid in determining fault.
  • Motor vehicle damage - The extent and location of the damage to the vehicles involved can provide clues as to which driver was at fault. For example, if the damage to the side of the truck is less severe than the damage to the side of the passenger vehicle, it could suggest that the tractor-trailer truck was responsible for the sideswipe collision.
  • Video footage - By analyzing video footage, investigators can determine the speed and trajectory of the vehicles involved and identify any driving violations, such as illegal lane changes or failure to signal. Video footage can sometimes also provide evidence of driver distraction, fatigue, or impairment, which may have contributed to the sideswipe accident.
  • Physical evidence - Skid marks on the road, for example, can provide details about the speed and trajectory of the vehicles involved in the accident. Debris left at the scene of the accident can also provide important information.

Fighting for Maximum Compensation After a Semi-Truck Sideswipe Accident

We understand that a large truck sideswipe accident can leave you facing physical and emotional challenges and financial burdens. That is why we want to make sure you know that you may be entitled to various types of compensation to alleviate the financial burden as well as the stress and anxiety associated with your personal injury.

This compensation can include:

1. Medical expenses

Serious injuries from sideswipe collisions with big rigs can lead to mounting medical bills, including multiple doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, and medication. Ambulance and emergency room fees can also be significant. Health insurance copays and deductibles may further strain finances.

Additionally, ongoing or long-term expenses like rehabilitation or home care for traumatic brain injuries can persist. If injuries hinder your ability to work, lost income can further impact your capacity to afford medical care, especially if you lose your health insurance.

2. Lost salary and wages

If you've experienced a sideswipe accident with a tractor-trailer truck, recovery may necessitate time off work, leading to lost wages and financial pressure on you and your family. Lost wages encompass missed income and potential earnings if you are unable to return to work in the future.

3. Physical discomfort and distress

Sideswipe collisions involving large trucks often have fatal injuries or lead to catastrophic injuries and lasting psychological distress, resulting in pain and suffering. Pain and suffering refers to physical discomfort from serious injuries like broken bones or TBIs as well as emotional trauma from the distressing event.

4. Ruined Property

Most sideswipe accidents involving passenger vehicles and semi-trucks result in significant property damages. The size and weight of commercial trucks worsen the vehicle wreckage. A sideswipe accident between a large truck and a small car could cause both vehicles to be completely totaled.

Don't Lose Your Right to Sue: The Role of Statute of Limitations in Sideswipe Accident Cases Involving Tractor-Trailer Trucks

There are time limits for filing a claim seeking compensation following a sideswipe collision involving trucks. This deadline is called the statute of limitations and varies by state.

In most states, this timeframe is two or three years from the date of the sideswipe accident. For example, Colorado is two years, and New York is three years. However, Florida's limit is four years.

It is best to pursue your sideswipe accident claim as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to receive compensation. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system to pursue justice and secure compensation for your injuries and losses.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Handles Sideswipe Cases

If you were involved in a sideswipe accident with a tractor-trailer truck, a car accident lawyer will handle your case by gathering evidence to determine who is at fault. This process may include the following:

  • Obtaining witness statements
  • Reviewing police reports
  • Examining traffic footage
  • Reconstructing the sideswipe accident scene

They may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and financial experts.

Once your lawyer can determine fault, they will work to help you calculate and recover the total compensation you are due for things like medical bills and property damage. They will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and file any necessary legal documents, while keeping you informed throughout the process.

When Sideswipe Accidents Involving Large Trucks Happen, Turn to Burg Simpson for Legal Help

Have you been sideswiped by a commercial truck and left to deal with the consequences of someone else's negligence?

At Burg Simpson, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with being involved in a serious sideswipe accident. Our mission is to provide you with exceptional legal representation as we fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Burg Simpson is a prestigious national law firm with over 40 years of proven success, having recovered over $2 billion for our clients. Our team of accomplished attorneys is well-versed in state laws throughout the United States, enabling us to protect your rights and best interests, no matter where the sideswipe accident occurred.

We take pride in our local impact and national strength, which allows us to recover every penny you deserve for your injury and losses. By choosing Burg Simpson, you can trust that our personal injury lawyers will handle your case professionally and with care and compassion.

Our extensive network of attorneys offers the support and experience needed to confront large corporations, big insurance companies, and their vast legal teams. At Burg Simpson, we believe in earning legal victories through hard work, determination, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Our passion for results creates a stress-free experience for you, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the complexities of your personal injury case ourselves.

Reclaim Your Life After a Sideswipe Commercial Truck Accident

Turn the tables on reckless truck drivers. Contact Burt Simpson today for a free consultation at 888-895-2080, and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Your future is too important to leave to chance.
phone-handset linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram