Few events feel as unsettling as a sudden jolt from another car grazing the side of your vehicle while you travel along a busy roadway. One moment, everything feels routine. The next moment, you might be fighting for control of your car, struggling to pull over safely after a sideswipe collision. The consequences might not be as obvious as in a head-on or rear-end crash, but that does not mean injuries and damages are minimal.
At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, we understand that healing—physically, mentally, and financially—can be an uphill climb. Sideswipe collisions have unique characteristics that set them apart from other types of car accidents that can create questions about fault. Drivers may argue about whether each one had an obligation to yield or check their blind spot. Meanwhile, you might wonder how to hold the responsible party accountable.
Our Long Island car accident attorneys represent clients throughout Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the Boroughs, doing what we can to help our neighbors seek fair compensation from the parties who caused their injuries. A sideswipe crash can leave you feeling anxious, confused, and in pain. Seeking legal support is one way to feel some relief.
What Are Sideswipe Collisions?
A sideswipe collision occurs when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make contact along their sides. Often, one driver attempts to merge or change lanes without properly checking blind spots, and the vehicle drifts into an occupied lane. The initial sideways impact can have unexpected consequences for drivers.
Vehicles can spin out, especially if they collide at high speeds or if weather conditions reduce tire traction. A minor contact can sometimes spiral into something more severe if the driver loses control and hits other vehicles, guardrails, or oncoming traffic. Occupants may suffer injuries ranging from whiplash to more severe harm, and even a seemingly “minor” collision can lead to property damage, emotional distress, and disruption of daily life.
These collisions can happen anywhere: a crowded city street in the Boroughs, the LIE (Long Island Expressway), or a highway in Nassau or Suffolk County. Regardless of the setting, a sideswipe collision may create extensive legal complexities when trying to establish who had the right-of-way, whether someone was distracted, and which party is liable for your losses.
Unique Factors That Set Sideswipe Collisions Apart from Other Crashes
Sideswipe collisions might appear similar to other accidents at first glance, but several features set them apart:
- Ambiguous Liability: Determining which driver initiated contact can sometimes be unclear. One driver might say the other “drifted” into their lane, while the other might claim they had the right-of-way. Unlike a rear-end collision, where the trailing driver often bears responsibility, sideswipe collisions need a thorough investigation.
- Possible Chain Reactions: Although sideswipes can start with just two cars, the impact can force one or both vehicles to swerve or lose control, leading to multi-vehicle collisions. Determining liability in multi-car crashes requires careful scrutiny of evidence.
- Highway vs. Urban Environment: Sideswipes on city streets can happen at lower speeds, but they can still cause serious damage if one car collides with parked vehicles or pedestrians. High-speed sideswipe collisions on highways in Suffolk County or Nassau County, on the other hand, are more likely to involve spin-outs or rollovers.
- Disputed Facts: Police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness accounts might offer differing views of who truly caused the collision. This adds complexity to any claim or insurance negotiation.
- Blind Spot Issues: Sideswipe collisions often revolve around blind spots, which are more prominent in trucks, buses, or SUVs. Accidents can occur because a larger vehicle fails to notice a smaller car or motorcycle traveling alongside.
These factors make it worthwhile to talk with a car accident lawyer who can conduct a thorough investigation into the collision, especially when injuries require medical care. A thorough inquiry also sets the stage for better negotiation leverage with insurance companies.
How Sideswipe Collisions Happen on Long Island and Across New York
Sideswipe collisions can happen for a range of reasons, and in a dense area such as Long Island, a split-second distraction is all it takes. With so many vehicles on the roads, merging, changing lanes, and even parallel parking can create scenarios where two vehicles touch sides. Some common causes include:
- Failure To Check Blind Spots: A driver might not see a car in the adjacent lane before switching lanes or may assume the lane is clear when it is not.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, using navigation apps, or talking on the phone can reduce a driver’s awareness of nearby vehicles.
- Aggressive Driving or Road Rage: Impatient drivers sometimes dart between lanes or cut others off, heightening the risk of sideswipes.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use diminishes a driver’s reaction time and awareness, making sideswipe collisions more likely.
- Fatigue: A drowsy driver might drift out of their lane inadvertently, resulting in sideways contact with a neighboring vehicle.
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, or even wet leaves can make it harder to control a vehicle or keep track of other cars. It is the motorist’s responsibility to anticipate and prepare for these conditions.
- Inadequate Merging Practices: Ramps and exits on highways throughout New York present extra danger when drivers fail to merge properly.
Each of these factors contributes to how a sideswipe collision develops, and they can all come into play when determining legal fault and liability.
Investigating Liability in a Sideswipe Collision Claim
Liability involves establishing that another driver behaved negligently or recklessly, causing the accident and your resulting injuries. One of the reasons these cases benefit from careful legal work is the need to tie all the facts together. Lawyers often look at:
- Police Reports can provide an unbiased third-party perspective. They often state the initial conclusions about which driver might be at fault or which traffic violations occurred.
- Traffic Camera Footage: In some parts of Long Island and New York, traffic cameras capture footage of congested intersections or busy highways. Such recordings can show whether a driver crossed lane markers or changed lanes suddenly.
- Witness Statements: Accounts from other motorists or pedestrians can often paint a clearer picture of exactly how the collision happened. Witnesses might notice which car drifted first or whether someone was texting and driving.
- Vehicle Damage Analysis: The location and pattern of damage on both cars can suggest the angle of impact and which vehicle likely initiated contact.
- Driving Records and History: If a driver has a record of reckless behavior or multiple citations, that might point to a pattern of unsafe driving. Although not always definitive proof, this history may supplement other forms of evidence.
- Cell Phone or App Usage: If distracted driving is suspected, phone records can help determine whether the at-fault driver was texting or otherwise distracted just before the collision.
- Accident Reconstruction: In more complicated or severe collisions, experts in accident reconstruction can analyze skid marks, debris, and other physical evidence to simulate the crash.
Attorneys working on sideswipe accident cases often compile all relevant evidence to show how one party’s negligence led to a collision. That evidence is then used to negotiate a settlement with insurance carriers or, if negotiations fall through, present a compelling case in court.
Common Injuries Tied to Sideswipe Collisions
Even when a sideswipe collision occurs at relatively moderate speeds, injuries happen. The force from an unexpected lateral impact can strain the body in ways one might not expect. Some frequent injuries after a sideswipe crash include:
- Whiplash and Soft-Tissue Injuries: These involve damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and upper back, often caused by a sudden jerk of the head or upper body.
- Head Injuries and Concussions: If an occupant’s head hits the window or the side panel of the car, a concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury could occur.
- Shoulder, Arm, and Rib Injuries: The sideways force can bruise or fracture bones around the upper torso. Passengers on the side of impact are at greater risk.
- Back Injuries and Spinal Cord Injuries: Depending on the severity of the collision, the back and spine can sustain damage. These injuries can range from muscle sprains to herniated discs or worse.
- Psychological Trauma: Sideswipe collisions can be alarming and might leave a person dealing with lingering stress or anxiety about driving.
In some cases, the injury severity might not be obvious immediately after the collision. It is often recommended to seek medical attention right away to diagnose any hidden injuries. This also creates a medical record that can be used later if you decide to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Damages Recoverable in a Sideswipe Collision Case
When a sideswipe crash upends your life, recoverable damages can extend beyond the immediate cost of fixing or replacing your car. Potential damages include:
- Medical Bills: This can involve emergency care, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future healthcare needs for more serious injuries.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Time away from work due to an injury can mean lost paychecks. If your injuries require a lengthy recovery or reduce your capacity to work, compensation can reflect that loss.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical discomfort, emotional distress, or mental anguish you experience because of the accident.
- Property Damage: This includes repairing or replacing your vehicle and any valuable items that were damaged inside.
- Loss of Quality of Life: This intangible category recognizes the ways an injury can diminish your ability to engage in hobbies, family activities, or daily tasks.
- Wrongful Death-Related Damages: If a loved one lost their life in a sideswipe collision, surviving family members might be able to claim compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and other related losses.
Documenting these losses is part of building a claim for fair financial recovery. Every accident is unique, and compensation depends on the severity of the injuries and the impact of the collision on your life. A personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accident claims is a valuable advocate.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
Insurance companies in New York, and particularly on Long Island, manage numerous car accident claims daily. Because sideswipe wrecks frequently spark disputes about fault, insurers tend to challenge them. They might try to pin blame on you or argue that your injuries are minor or unrelated. This is where having a lawyer by your side becomes a key advantage.
An attorney can compile strong evidence, organize medical records, and present your case in a way that points to the at-fault driver’s negligence. Lawyers are often skilled negotiators who aim to counter the insurance company’s low offers or arguments that reduce payouts. If insurers suspect that you are willing to settle for less or fear taking the matter to court, they might provide minimal compensation.
By contrast, when an attorney handles your negotiations, it signals that you are serious about recovering losses. A lawyer can also parse through policy details, liability coverage, no-fault insurance coverage (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP), and other legal intricacies that might otherwise overwhelm someone dealing with injuries and mounting bills. Sometimes, the mere possibility that your lawyer will take the claim to trial can encourage the insurer to negotiate in good faith.
Recognizing When a Settlement Is Fair
Knowing whether a settlement offer is fair in a sideswipe collision claim depends on multiple factors:
- Extent of Injuries: A settlement covering a short-term injury might be too low if you have long-term medical needs or a permanent disability.
- Economic Losses: Are all lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and future costs factored in?
- Non-Economic Losses: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life deserve monetary consideration. Does the offer address these intangible losses?
- Comparative Negligence: If you share fault, how is that reflected in the settlement?
- Legal Costs: After deducting attorney fees and other legal expenses, do you still receive a sum that fairly addresses your losses?
An experienced legal team can put the offer into perspective. The final decision to accept or reject a settlement rests with you, but professional input can help you make an informed choice.
Can You Afford a Lawyer for a Sideswipe Collision?
Lawyers representing sideswipe collision victims typically handle claims on a contingency fee arrangement. At Rosenberg & Gluck, this means you pay no out-of-pocket fees for representation. Instead, the law firm receives a percentage of your compensation once the case is settled or a court judgment is secured. If the firm recovers nothing, you typically owe nothing in attorney fees.
This arrangement opens the door for those recovering from injuries and dealing with financial difficulties to still seek guidance. A free consultation often allows you to ask questions and learn your options before making any commitments. That way, you can focus on recovery rather than the cost of legal representation.
Rosenberg & Gluck LLP’s Approach
At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, our mission is to represent Long Island victims of sideswipe collisions and other car accidents with an unwavering focus on your well-being and financial recovery. Throughout Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the Boroughs, our team has one clear priority: protecting your rights after a sideswipe collision and guiding you toward a resolution that accounts for your losses.
We see the people behind each accident, not just a case number. To explore how Rosenberg & Gluck LLP can help you, get in touch for a consultation. You can share your story, learn where you stand legally, and decide on your best approach for moving forward.
A sideswipe collision does not have to define your future. Our legal team is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for the harm you have endured.
Contact Rosenberg & Gluck to Move Forward After a Sideswipe Collision
Sideswipe collisions present challenges that can sometimes look straightforward but often require careful handling to untangle which driver caused the crash and prove your losses to insurers. The combination of careful evidence gathering, thorough case building, and skilled negotiation can improve the likelihood of a fair settlement or favorable outcome at trial.
No one can rewind the clock to prevent the collision that shook up your life. However, taking action now can set you on a path toward physical, emotional, and financial recovery. It starts with making an informed decision to call a law firm that supports you every step of the way—working to hold the at-fault party accountable, minimize stress, and help you rebuild your life.
Contact Rosenberg & Gluck LLP today to discuss your legal options and find out how we can help you move forward. We serve Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the Boroughs. Call our Long Island personal injury lawyers at 631-451-7900 or contact us online.
