Not unlike traditional passenger-vehicle accidents, sideswipe accidents result in a wide range of injuries. Many sideswipe accidents result in property damage only claims, even when the collision occurs at a high speed. Contact may be minimal, and if both vehicles are able to maintain control then there may be scrapes to the side of the vehicles, damaged mirrors, and similar consequences.
However, sideswipe accidents also have the potential to cause serious injuries and major wreckage. One difficult factor about assessing these accidents is that their severity is often not based on the speed the vehicles were traveling so much as the force of the initial impact. Heavy impacts, such as by a vehicle that departs its lane unexpectedly, can cause whiplash and other soft tissue damage. Secondary strikes within the vehicle cabin, such as the driver hitting their side window, can lead to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, sprains, strains, and contusions.
Worst of all, many drivers are forced off the road or into the path of other vehicles once they have been sideswiped.
Injuries in any major sideswipe collision can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Back, neck, and spine injuries
- Contusions, cuts, scrapes, and burns
- Damage to joints, especially knees
- Organ damage, internal bleeding
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Death
Seek Medical Attention
Receiving medical care is a top priority when you have been involved in a sideswipe collision. Once EMTs arrive, allow them to examine you and perform an assessment of your injuries. If they recommend transport to the nearest emergency department, follow their advice. However, if you are not in need of immediate medical attention, you may wait until after the police have interviewed you before seeking treatment. But if you are currently in pain or are concerned about your possible injuries, visit the nearest emergency department
If you think you may have minor injuries, seek out medical care from a clinic or primary care physician within the next few days. Whether you have sustained severe or minor injuries, keep detailed notes about your injuries and the care you receive. Never delay seeking care. Doing so could not only impact your ability to recover, but it can also hurt your ability to file an injury claim seeking damages.
Document Your Injuries
After you are injured in a sideswipe accident, it is important to document your injuries. Take close-up pictures of any visible injuries or bruises in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Also, take pictures of how your injuries progress over time. For example, you might not have any visible injuries after the accident but you may develop severe bruising or swelling in the days that follow. Be sure to keep a detailed log of your doctor’s appointments including any pain management care.
Furthermore, document how your injuries have affected your quality of life. This includes keeping a track of any days you have missed work and professional duties you can not fulfill as a result of your injuries. Moreover, keep a record of the types of activities you can no longer engage in at home, such as household chores.
Work With Proven and Dedicated Long Island Sideswipe Accident Lawyers
TonaLaw wants to fight for you after you have been hurt in a sideswipe collision. Your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses all constitute damages that you can seek to reclaim in a personal injury action.
Find out how you can seek the maximum amount of compensation available with the help of a Long Island car accident attorney. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation when you call 1-833-TONALAW (833-866-2529) or contact us online.
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