Columbia Sideswipe Accident Lawyer

Columbia Sideswipe Accident Attorney

Sideswipe accidents can occur within seconds, but can have consequences that last for years. While some occur on larger roadways such as I-26 or other highways outside Columbia, sideswipe accidents frequently occur on local streets when drivers fail to pay attention or are distracted and drift into another vehicle’s lane. A Columbia sideswipe accident lawyer can assist those who have been involved in this kind of accident in understanding their legal rights.

About the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III

At the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III, we’ve proudly represented families and individuals throughout Columbia, Sumter, Camden, Orangeburg, and Florence Counties in South Carolina since 1996. Located in downtown Columbia near the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, we know Columbia’s roads and local laws better than most.

We take the time to listen to you and provide knowledgeable representation, no matter what type of personal injury or family law issue you need assistance with.

Understanding Sideswipe Accident Cases in Columbia, SC

In Richland County, there were 12,450 total traffic collisions in 2023, including 58 fatal crashes and 2,788 injury crashes, according to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book.

A sideswipe accident is defined by the side of one vehicle colliding with the side of another vehicle. When changing lanes on multi-lane roads or highways, merging into traffic, or sideswipe accidents are possible. Sideswipe collisions are quite common on highways where drivers travel at higher rates of speed. Columbia roads can cause sideswipe accidents due to high traffic during commuting times and high speeds.

A sideswipe accident case involves determining who failed to maintain lane integrity and struck the other vehicle. In most sideswipe accidents, one driver will say they were inside their lane, and the other was not. For this reason, evidence such as dashcam video, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction can become essential to proving who is at fault.

South Carolina law requires all drivers to operate their vehicles safely and within one lane of traffic. South Carolina Code § 56-5-1900 states that drivers who fail to stay in their lane can be considered negligent drivers. South Carolina Code § 15-3-530 determines how long you have to file a personal injury claim. These are just some of the sideswipe accident laws that affect your claim.

Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents

Driver error is arguably the main cause of sideswipe accidents. Like many car accidents, a combination of events can come into play. Also, due to the nature of sideswipe accidents happening often at high speeds, even minor distractions can result in serious injury.

Drivers often trigger sideswipe crashes by momentarily diverting their attention, perhaps to a text message or the radio. Any distraction can cause your vehicle to drift into another lane. If you don’t check your blind spot when merging into traffic, you can cause a sideswipe accident. Sideswipe accidents can occur when someone speeds or tries to pass another car before it’s safe to do so.

Construction zones and roads with tighter lanes are more prone to sideswipe accidents than roads with wide lanes. Weather conditions that limit visibility, such as rain or fog, can also increase the chances of getting into a sideswipe accident. Although any factor can be the cause of a sideswipe collision, determining the cause can help you with your sideswipe accident case.

Injuries Common With Sideswipe Accidents

Many people believe that sideswipe accidents are not that serious. The damage to the vehicle may be minimal compared to other types of automobile accidents. When sideswipe accidents happen at high speeds on the highway, run off the road, or cause you to hit another vehicle, serious injuries can occur. Common side effects include:

• Broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Just because an accident may not result in extensive vehicle damage does not mean you avoided a sideswipe accident injury. Emotional distress and anxiety are two other injuries you may sustain in a car accident. When your car suddenly gets hit by another vehicle, you could experience these injuries regardless of how fast you were going.

FAQs About Sideswipe Accident Law

Who Is at Fault in a Sideswipe Collision?

Determining who caused a sideswipe accident will often depend on who was driving in another driver’s lane or merging without safely doing so. However, many factors go into determining fault after an accident. Often, the driver who changed lanes without checking blind spots, drifted into another lane, or failed to signal is considered at fault. Proof such as damage to vehicles, witness testimonies, and video footage can determine fault after the accident occurred.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

Soft tissue damage may be the hardest injury to prove because there may be no visible evidence on X-rays or MRIs, yet you still experience pain when you move in certain ways. Symptoms of soft tissue injuries can take time to surface and are different for everyone. Insurance companies may believe you are not as injured as you claim.

What Percent of Hit and Run Cases Are Solved?

Hit and runs may be the hardest accidents to determine who is at fault because the negligent driver left the scene. Many different scenarios can play out when someone hits another car and leaves the scene. If there is proof, such as through surveillance cameras and witnesses, some cases may be solved. If not, they may go unresolved.

What Do I Do After a Sideswipe Accident?

After you are in a sideswipe accident with another vehicle, see that you and everyone else involved are safe and walk away from your car if necessary. Call the police to file a report and exchange information with the other driver. Document vehicle damage with photos, and get the contact information from witnesses. It’s also important to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Hire a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer

If liability is disputed after a sideswipe accident, you should hire a sideswipe accident lawyer right away. A Columbia sideswipe attorney can collect all evidence and build your case. Evidence includes finding traffic camera footage, witness statements, and hiring an accident reconstruction professional.

Our established law firm can help you in the legal process after a sideswipe accident. Contact the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III today.