Although less common than some other types of car accidents, sideswipe accidents frequently occur on the roadways of Chicago and the rest of Illinois. The most common type of sideswipe accidents occurs when a car that is attempting to merge into another lane does so without looking, crashing directly into a car that is already in that lane. This typically occurs because the driver who causes the accidents does not look or signal before changing lanes, thereby giving the driver that he hits no chance to react to his actions. Although sideswipe accidents are commonly believed to result in little to no injuries or damage to the car that is hit, this is not actually the case.
Sideswipe accidents typically occur at fairly low speeds because it is the car that is traveling sideways that determines the impact. However, that is not to say that sideswipe accidents cannot cause serious injuries to occupants of the vehicle that is hit. The converse is actually true in these types of accidents. This is due to the positioning involved: the collision occurs at an area of the vehicle in which there is little between the driver/passenger in the car that is hit and the vehicle which impacts the car in which the car in which that person is riding other than a door. This is in contrast to a rear-end collision, in which there is the bumper, trunk, and rear of the car in between anyone riding in the backseat and the car which rear-ends the second vehicle. Sideswipe injuries can result in significant injuries to either the driver or the passenger depending upon which side of the vehicle the impact takes place upon. This is because a passenger is literally sitting right in the zone of danger where the impact takes place. Therefore, and regardless of whether there are safety devices like a side airbag present in the car that is hit, a passenger or driver in a vehicle that is sideswiped can suffer significant injuries as a result of the impact.
Sideswipe car damage is also something that is more serious than one would think considering the marginal speeds at which these types of accidents occur. It is not unusual to see one or both door panels on whichever side the car was hit completely crushed to the point they are not salvageable. Replacing a door is a serious repair that can end up costing thousands of dollars. Replacing multiple doors is even more expensive. This does not even take into account the possible cost of other types of damage that are common in sideswipe accidents, such as damage to the wheel well or other parts of the car body of the car that is hit in a sideswipe accident. Thus, sideswipe accidents can be very costly indeed for those unfortunate enough to be involved in such an accident.
If you have been involved in a sideswipe accident in Chicago or somewhere else in Illinois, you should contact a sideswipe accident lawyer with Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.. The attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. have been representing accident victims in Chicago and throughout Illinois for more than 15 years and have represented victims of many sideswipe accidents during that time. We are aggressive and experienced Chicago injury lawyers who will not stop seeking justice and compensation until we have achieved the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and any damage to your car as a result of the accident.
Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Therefore, if you were the victim of a sideswipe accident in Chicago or in Illinois, contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at for a free consultation to discuss your case and your potential legal options.
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