Sideswipe Accident: How To Tell Who Sideswiped Who
Posted on: March 13, 2025Picture this: You’re driving down the road focused on reaching your destination, when you feel a sudden impact and hear the screeching of tires. Your heart skips a beat as you realize you’ve been involved in a side swipe accident.
As you survey the accident scene, a wave of uncertainty washes over you. Questions race through your mind: Who sideswiped who? Will the insurance company think you were at-fault? What steps should you take to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve?
If you’ve found yourself in this unfortunate situation, know that you’re not alone.
Sideswipe collisions are a common occurrence on the roads, and the determination of fault in a side swipe accident is crucial for insurance claims, legal proceedings, and ultimately, receiving the compensation you deserve.
As your local Orlando car accident lawyer, we’ll provide you with valuable insights, expert advice, and practical tips to help you figure out how to tell who sideswiped who.
What Is A Side Swipe Accident?
A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact with each other’s sides.
There are many potential causes for sideswipe car accidents, including poor road conditions and speeding, but the most common is drivers who fail to check their blind spots when crossing into a lane of travel. In addition to property damage, victims can also become injured in a side swipe accident.
Understanding the nature of this type of accident is essential to accurately assess fault.
Wondering if you have a case? Take our quiz to find out.
Vehicle Damage
One key aspect of determining fault in a side swipe accident is carefully assessing the damage sustained by each vehicle involved.
In a sideswipe crash, experts commonly observe concentrated damage on the sides of the vehicles involved. Scratches, scrapes, and dents along the length of the vehicles’ sides indicate the path of the impact.
By meticulously examining the damage patterns, police officers, collision experts, and insurance adjusters can gather evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine who sideswiped who. This thorough evaluation of the physical evidence plays a pivotal role in reconstructing the accident and accurately assigning fault.
Paint Transfer
By examining the color, type, and location of transferred paint, experts can identify if there is a match between the paint found on one vehicle and the surface of the other. If the paint samples align, it strongly suggests that the vehicle with the matching paint was the one responsible for the impact.
Scrape Marks and Debris
Scrape marks and debris left on the vehicles or the road surface can also provide important clues in determining fault in a sideswipe accident.
The length, direction, and location of scrape marks help identify which vehicle initiated the sideswipe. Scratches and marks predominantly found on one vehicle’s side while the other vehicle remains intact indicate the direction of the sideswipe.
Additionally, the presence and distribution of debris can further support the determination of fault. It can help establish which lane that the impact between the two vehicles took place. Therefore, take photographs of any and all debris after a sideswipe impact.
Eyewitness Accounts and Testimonies
Eyewitnesses play a crucial role in determining fault in a sideswipe accident. Their accounts and testimonies provide valuable information about the sequence of events and the actions of the drivers involved.
Collecting contact information from eyewitnesses allows for obtaining their statements, which can be helpful for insurance claims or legal proceedings. Their unbiased observations can corroborate or challenge the versions of events provided by the drivers, providing additional perspectives to consider.
Eyewitness testimonies can offer valuable details about factors such as vehicle speeds, positions, and any erratic driving behavior observed before the sideswipe. Contacting eyewitnesses promptly and involving them in the process can contribute to establishing fault and seeking the compensation deserved.
Video Footage and Surveillance Evidence
Video footage from dash cams and surveillance cameras has become increasingly important in assessing sideswipe accidents, as it provides a clear and objective visual record.
Promptly securing any video footage before it gets overwritten or lost is crucial. By acting swiftly to identify potential sources of video footage and requesting access to the recordings, you can preserve critical evidence that can strengthen your case.
Expert analysis of the footage can help determine the sequence of events and assess fault accurately. Utilizing video footage enhances your ability to seek fair compensation for the damages caused by the sideswipe accident.
Consulting Accident Reconstruction Experts
Consulting accident reconstruction experts can be highly beneficial in complex or disputed sideswipe accident cases.
These professionals specialize in analyzing physical evidence, reconstructing the accident sequence, and providing expert testimony. Their expertise ensures a clear understanding of how the accident occurred, aiding in determining fault accurately.
Their analysis and expert opinions carry weight in insurance claims or legal proceedings, presenting an objective and scientifically supported perspective on the accident. If the collision caused significant injuries, a professional evaluation can also support claims for pain and suffering damages.
What to Do After a Sideswipe Accident
As with any car accident, taking the right steps immediately after the crash can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
- Call 911 – Even if no one needs emergency medical attention, it is crucial that you report the accident and have the police come out to investigate the scene. In some cases, the police report will even establish who was at-fault.
- Document the Accident Scene – Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident location, skid marks, debris, and any road conditions that may have contributed to the crash.
- Exchange Information – Collect the other driver’s name, contact details, driver’s license number, insurance information, and vehicle details.
- Look for Witnesses – If anyone saw the accident, get their contact information and statement. Their testimony can help prove fault.
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if you feel fine, injuries like whiplash or internal trauma may not show up right away. Keep records of your medical bills and treatment.
- Consult a Car Accident Lawyer – Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim. An attorney can help you navigate your claim, pursue compensation for pain and suffering, and ensure your rights are protected.
If you’ve been involved in a sideswipe accident and need legal guidance, contact Beers & Gordon for a free consultation. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
Need Professional Advice?
If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe accident, you may be facing expensive medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Beers & Gordon can provide the expertise and guidance needed. We offer personalized legal representation and have a track record of successful outcomes for our clients.
If you have been involved in a side swipe accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Beers & Gordon for a free consultation. Our team of experienced attorneys will evaluate your case, provide guidance on the legal aspects, and advocate for your best interests.
With our track record of success in handling car accident cases, including sideswipe accidents, you can trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
