Did another driver scrape against your vehicle or force you off the road in Salt Lake City, Utah? A Salt Lake City sideswipe accident lawyer can help you determine who was responsible and whether you have a claim for compensation. At McMinn Law Firm, we represent people injured in preventable traffic accidents. Contact us today at (385) 462-7630 for a free consultation.
Sideswipe crashes often happen without warning. A driver may suddenly enter your lane, leaving little room to avoid a collision. Even when the initial impact seems minor, losing control can lead to serious injuries and costly vehicle damage.
How Can McMinn Law Firm Help After a Sideswipe Accident in Salt Lake City, UT?
When two drivers disagree about who crossed into the wrong lane, proving fault can be challenging. A Salt Lake City personal injury attorney at McMinn Law Firm can examine the circumstances of your collision and help you understand your options in Salt Lake City, UT.
Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients and brings over 50 years of combined legal experience to personal injury cases. We understand how important clear evidence can be when insurance companies dispute responsibility for a crash.
A Salt Lake City car accident lawyer at our firm can help you address questions about fault and compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
What Is a Sideswipe Accident?
A sideswipe accident happens when the sides of two vehicles collide. It may involve cars traveling beside each other or vehicles moving in opposite directions.
Unlike a direct front-end collision, a sideswipe may cause a driver to swerve or lose control. The vehicle might then strike a guardrail, another car, or a roadside object.
These secondary impacts can cause injuries that are more severe than the initial contact suggests.
How Is Fault Determined After a Sideswipe Crash?
Fault often depends on which vehicle moved out of its lane. Drivers may give different accounts, especially when neither saw the exact moment of contact.
For example, a driver who merges into an occupied lane may be responsible. Another motorist’s speeding could also contribute to the collision.
Investigators may compare damage patterns, road markings, and witness accounts to determine how the vehicles came together. The location of the damage alone does not always establish fault.
What Injuries Can Result From a Sideswipe Collision?
A sideswipe can throw occupants sideways or cause a vehicle to spin into another obstacle. The resulting injuries may require ongoing care.
Possible injuries include:
- Neck strains and whiplash
- Concussions and head injuries
- Shoulder and arm injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and spinal injuries
- Cuts from broken glass
Some symptoms develop gradually. Getting examined after a crash can help identify injuries and create a record of your treatment.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Sideswipe Accident?
A claim may address both the financial costs of your injuries and the ways they affect your daily life.
Depending on your circumstances, compensation may cover:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Income lost during recovery
- Reduced ability to earn income
- Repairs to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
The compensation available depends on the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and the circumstances of the accident. Keeping records of your expenses and treatment can help support your claim.
How Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Work in Utah?
Utah requires most drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP helps cover initial medical expenses and certain lost income, regardless of who caused the accident.
However, PIP does not cover pain and suffering. Under Utah Code § 31A-22-309, people covered by the law generally must have more than $3,000 in medical expenses or meet a qualifying injury exception before seeking pain-and-suffering damages from an at-fault driver.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Fault?
Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule under Utah Code § 78B-5-818. You may recover compensation if your share of fault is less than the combined fault of the other responsible parties. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, one driver may make an unsafe lane change while another is speeding. If both actions contributed to the sideswipe, the available evidence may help determine each driver’s share of fault.
Insurance companies may dispute how much responsibility each driver bears. Photos, video recordings, and witness statements can help clarify what happened.
What Evidence Is Important in a Sideswipe Accident Case?
Sideswipe cases often turn on small details about lane position, vehicle movement, and the point of impact.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photos showing damage along the vehicles’ sides
- Dashcam recordings of lane changes
- Traffic camera footage
- Witness descriptions of each driver’s movements
- Police crash reports
- Medical and repair records
Photographs of skid marks, debris, and lane markings may also help. Preserve available evidence before vehicles are repaired or footage is deleted.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Sideswipe Accident Lawsuit?
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, most Utah personal injury lawsuits must be filed within four years. Certain cases, including claims involving government entities, may have shorter deadlines.
Sideswipe accidents often involve disputed lane positions. Dashcam recordings, traffic footage, and witness accounts may become harder to obtain as time passes.
Taking action early can help preserve evidence while you determine whether to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Contact Our Salt Lake City Sideswipe Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
An unsafe lane change can cause more than vehicle damage. You may be dealing with injuries, missed work, and an insurance company that disputes how the collision happened.
McMinn Law Firm represents injured motorists in Salt Lake City, Utah, including those hurt in merging and lane-change accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Salt Lake City sideswipe accident attorney to discuss your claim.
