Sideswipe Truck Accidents
Regardless of whether they’re referred to as lane change accidents, blind spot collisions, or lane departures, sideswipe truck crashes can be devastating.
A sideswipe wreck occurs when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another. Not only is a passenger car at risk of serious damage in such an accident, but subsequent crashes into other vehicles, guardrails, or trees
may be caused by the vehicle driver’s loss of control.
Sideswipe Truck Collision Causes
Sideswipe collisions often occur during lane changes and mergers, or when a large truck sideswipes a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Commercial truck drivers are more likely to cause sideswipe accidents, since they have substantial blind spots on the front, back, and sides of the truck. These blind spots may prevent a trucker from seeing the cars in adjacent lanes, making lane changes and turns far more dangerous.
Sideswipe collisions sometimes force the crash victim’s vehicle off the road, resulting in a rollover. A sideswipe accident can also push a car into the path of oncoming traffic on the highway, leading to a multi-vehicle collision. Sideswipe collisions caused by trucks are often the result of:
- Failure to check mirrors
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Drug or alcohol use
- Unsafe lane changes
- Aggressive driving
- Improperly-adjusted mirrors
- Lack of operator training
- Distracted driving
- Driving too fast for weather, traffic, or road conditions
- Malfunctioning equipment such as brakes, wheels, or tires
Sideswipe Truck Collision Liability
It’s a complex process to identify responsible parties and gather necessary evidence to establish liability in truck sideswipe accidents. Both the trucker and the trucking company may be held liable for damages. These accidents often result in serious injuries including head trauma, whiplash, neck issues, and spinal complications.
If you were injured in a sideswipe truck collision, you’re entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.