A sideswipe collision occurs when two vehicles are traveling beside each other in the same direction, and contact happens between them.
This type of collision can occur between two cars heading in the same direction or the opposite direction. Sideswipes in the opposite direction are four times more common than in the same direction sideswiped.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner:This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner:Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner:We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer.
At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner:Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner:Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner:Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner:Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner:Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner:Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner:Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
Response from the owner:Thanks Tana. Appreciate this!
According to the Nation Safety Commission, over 242,000 sideswipe collisions happen on US roadways annually. If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe collision, you may need to pursue compensation to recover your damages. Let’s discuss sideswipe accidents, how they happen, and how fault is determined.
How a Sideswipe Collision Occurs
A typical sideswipe accident involves one driver trying to change lanes without first checking to ensure no other car is in their path. This causes the vehicle to collide with the other on the side. If the driver was rapidly making the lane change, the impact could be forceful enough to push the car sideways, potentially into the line of other traffic.
Drifting across lanes can also cause a sideswipe accident. These types of slow-moving accidents are generally the result of driving while fatigued, under the influence or texting and driving. No matter the cause, the damage to the vehicle and injuries sustained could be severe.
Top causes of sideswipe collisions
According to our St Louis car crash attorneys, the top causes of highway vehicle sideswipe collisions include:
Distraction – Being distracted is one of the top reasons why drivers veer out of their lane without even realizing that they are doing it.
Speeding can cause loss of vehicle control
Failing to yield or not paying attention when trying to merge lanes
Drugs or alcohol – Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair drivers thought processes and hinder concentration, making them more likely to leave their lane without due care and attention.
Tiredness – Being tired can really affect concentration, and it can also be a leading cause of sideswipes on our highways.
Overcorrecting due to hazard avoidance – Avoiding a collision or impact with a hazard in the road can cause a vehicle to sideswipe a vehicle that has been traveling alongside it.
Not looking for other vehicles – Not looking hard enough for other vehicles on the road around you is a big cause of sideswipes. As we’ve already mentioned, there is also the issue of a vehicle being in your blind spot.
In general, sideswipes are caused by carelessness and lack of attention. These incidents can have some significant consequences. Typical damage to vehicles during a sideswipe collision includes damage to doors, windows, and mirrors, as well as the scraping of the quarter panels. These types of accidents can result in severe injuries and even death.
Injuries From a Sideswipe Car Accident
In most cars, the majority of protection for the driver and passengers is located at the front and rear of the vehicle, where impacts are more likely to occur. In a sideswipe accident, the car that collides with yours ends up just inches away from your body. Even with side-impact airbags, there is still the possibility of damage to the legs, internal organs, and head.
When high speed is involved, a car can be pushed into another lane of traffic or off the road, causing a front- or rear-end collision. Depending on the severity of the crash, your injury could far exceed what you can afford to pay in medical bills. You may need the help of a St. Louis car accident attorney to determine the cause of the accident, show fault, and compel the other driver’s insurance company to provide you with compensation for the damages you incurred.
Who Is at Fault in a St. Louis Sideswipe Accident?
When Is the Driver Changing Lanes at Fault?
To avoid causing an accident, every driver should watch for other vehicles before changing lanes. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. A driver changing lanes may be held liable for a sideswiping accident if they were:
Distracted and drifted into your lane
Failed to check whether there’s room to make a lane change
Driving too fast on wet roads and spin into your lane
When May the Driver Who Did Not Change Lanes Be at Fault?
In most cases, the driver changing lanes is at fault in a sideswipe accident. However, a driver who sticks to one lane can also be to blame. Here are scenarios where the driver who did not change lanes can be held liable:
They slowed down and failed to yield the right of the way to drivers behind
They sped up when the driver in front was about to make a lane change
They denied a way to a driver looking to join their lane
What if Both Drivers Change Lanes?
Generally, you are not supposed to make a lane change before the center lane is clear. Therefore, if you go for the center lane and collide with another driver going for the same lane, chances are you will collide and damage your car or, worse, suffer injuries. In such a case, both drivers will likely share fault as none had the right of way.
What should I do if I am involved in a sideswipe collision?
If you are involved in a sideswipe collision, it is crucial to remain calm and follow these steps:
Safety first: Move to a safe location if possible and turn on your hazard lights.
Call the police: Even if the accident appears minor, a police report can be essential for insurance claims and legal purposes.
Exchange information: Obtain the other driver’s contact, vehicle, and insurance information.
Document the scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved, and any visible damage.
Seek medical attention: Sometimes, injuries caused by accidents become apparent only hours or days later.
Consult a St. Louis car accident lawyer: Contact a lawyer who specializes in car accidents to discuss your rights and potential compensation, especially if the accident was not your fault.
Can I receive compensation after a sideswipe accident?
Yes, if you are not at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for damages including medical expenses, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The specifics of what you can claim depend on the accident details and your state’s laws. A skilled car accident attorney can help you navigate the claims process and ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
