Speak With a Los Angeles Sideswipe Accident Lawyer Today
Sideswipe accidents are often dismissed as “minor” crashes—but in Los Angeles traffic, they can be anything but. When a driver drifts into another lane or makes an unsafe lane change, the result can be a violent collision that sends vehicles spinning, striking barriers, or crashing into surrounding traffic. These accidents frequently lead to serious injuries and complicated liability disputes. If you or a loved one has been injured in a sideswipe accident, working with an experienced Los Angeles sideswipe accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
Farar & Lewis offers free consultations to sideswipe accident victims throughout Los Angeles. Our legal team understands how these crashes happen and how to prove fault when insurance companies try to downplay them.
Want to speak to someone about your case ? Call 800-615-6595
Why Sideswipe Accidents Are Dangerous
Sideswipe accidents typically occur at speed and often trigger secondary collisions. Even light contact can cause a driver to lose control.
Sideswipe crashes are especially dangerous because:
- Vehicles may spin into adjacent lanes
- Multi-vehicle pileups are common
- Motorcycles and smaller vehicles are especially vulnerable
- Drivers often overcorrect, leading to rollovers
- Pedestrians or roadside workers may be struck
On congested Los Angeles freeways and surface streets, the consequences can be severe.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Los Angeles
Most sideswipe accidents are preventable and caused by negligence. Common causes include:
Unsafe Lane Changes
Drivers fail to check blind spots or signal before changing lanes.
Distracted Driving
Texting, navigation apps, and in-vehicle distractions cause drivers to drift between lanes.
Speeding
High speeds reduce reaction time and make corrections more dangerous.
Aggressive Driving
Weaving through traffic and road rage behaviors increase sideswipe risks.
Fatigued or Impaired Driving
Drowsy or intoxicated drivers often struggle to maintain lane position.
Where Sideswipe Accidents Commonly Occur
In Los Angeles, sideswipe crashes frequently happen:
- On freeways such as I-5, I-10, I-405, and US-101
- In heavy stop-and-go traffic
- Near on-ramps and off-ramps
- In construction zones with narrow lanes
- On multi-lane surface streets
Lane congestion and frequent merges increase the likelihood of these accidents.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Sideswipe Accidents
While some sideswipe crashes cause property damage only, many result in serious injuries—especially when secondary impacts occur.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal disc injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Wrongful death injuries
Motorcyclists and occupants of smaller vehicles often suffer the most severe harm.
Determining Fault in a Sideswipe Accident
Fault in sideswipe accidents is often disputed because both vehicles are moving in the same direction. California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning fault may be shared.
Liability may depend on:
- Lane positioning at the time of impact
- Turn signal use
- Vehicle speed
- Witness accounts
- Traffic camera footage
- Roadway markings and conditions
Insurance companies frequently attempt to assign partial blame to injured victims.
Evidence Used to Prove a Sideswipe Accident Claim
Strong evidence is critical in lane-change accident cases. This may include:
- Police accident reports
- Dashcam and traffic camera footage
- Vehicle damage patterns
- Witness statements
- Event data recorder (“black box”) data
- Accident reconstruction expert analysis
Prompt investigation helps preserve this evidence before it disappears.
When Commercial or Employer Liability Applies
Sideswipe accidents may involve commercial vehicles, rideshare drivers, or employees acting within the scope of employment. In these cases, liability may extend to:
- Employers
- Rideshare companies’ insurance carriers
- Commercial vehicle owners
Identifying all responsible parties can significantly increase available compensation.
Compensation Available to Sideswipe Accident Victims
If you were injured due to another driver’s unsafe lane change, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization and follow-up care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent impairment or disability
Severe cases may involve future medical and life-care expenses.
Why Insurance Companies Minimize Sideswipe Claims
Insurance companies often try to downplay sideswipe accidents by:
- Calling them “minor contact” crashes
- Disputing lane position
- Claiming shared fault
- Minimizing injury severity
An experienced Los Angeles sideswipe accident lawyer ensures your injuries and damages are taken seriously.
How Farar & Lewis Handles Sideswipe Accident Cases
At Farar & Lewis, we understand that sideswipe accidents can be deceptively complex. Our legal team builds strong, evidence-driven cases to establish liability and maximize compensation.
We focus on:
- Conducting thorough crash investigations
- Preserving video and electronic evidence
- Identifying all liable parties
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Accurately calculating damages
- Negotiating aggressively with insurers
- Taking cases to trial when necessary
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Sideswipe Accidents
Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years of the accident date. Claims involving government vehicles or roadway defects may require earlier notice.
Early legal action helps protect your claim and preserve critical evidence.
Call Farar & Lewis After a Sideswipe Accident in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one has been injured in a sideswipe accident, do not let insurance companies minimize your injuries or shift the blame.
Contact Farar & Lewis today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Los Angeles sideswipe accident lawyer. We are ready to fight for your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Lane-Change Crash Data
https://www.nhtsa.gov - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Lane Departure and Sideswipe Research
https://www.iihs.org - California Office of Traffic Safety – Traffic Collision Reports
https://www.ots.ca.gov
