Columbus
Sideswipe Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a sideswipe accident, you could be facing much more than an inconvenience. While some sideswipes result in damage to your vehicle and a few minor injuries, other accidents can be severe. In either case, you have a right to compensation.

It is always a serious situation when two moving vehicles collide. You could be dealing with injuries that require weeks or months of recovery, medical debts, and a damaged vehicle. A Columbus sideswipe accident lawyer can help you seek restitution from the at-fault party. 

At John Foy & Associates, our Columbus car accident lawyers have recovered over $1 billion in awards and settlements for injured accident victims like you. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn how we can assist you. 

What Is a Sidewipe Accident?

A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles make contact along their sides. There are two main types: same-direction sideswipes, where vehicles traveling side by side collide, and opposite-direction sideswipes, in which vehicles moving toward each other accidentally strike. 

These accidents often happen when a driver changes lanes without properly checking, attempts to pass another vehicle unsafely, or becomes distracted. Weather conditions such as rain or fog can also make it more difficult to control the vehicle. 

Sideswipe accidents can cause significant damage to vehicles. In some cases, these accidents can lead to more dangerous crashes and serious injuries. If you were injured in a sideswipe accident, a Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options. 

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Sideswipe Accident?

Whenever you are hurt in an accident, it is smart to consult with an attorney. You likely have a right to file a claim for compensation, but one mistake could jeopardize your chances. A skilled attorney understands the law and can help you choose the right path.

The insurance company for the at-fault driver may offer a settlement, but it isn’t wise to accept it without having an attorney review it first. Sometimes, insurance companies offer settlements they know are too low, hoping you will take them so they can save some money.

Our Columbus sideswipe accident attorneys can review any incoming settlement offers and let you know if they are fair. We’ll be your advocates, ensuring you receive the money you need to recover. 

How an Attorney Can Help

Don’t try to take on powerful insurance companies alone. You need an ally who understands the law and knows how insurance companies operate. Some additional ways we may be able to help include the following:

• Explain your legal options and offer advice
• Handle paperwork and make sure you don’t miss deadlines
• Help you avoid mistakes that could damage your case
• Investigate your accident to discover what happened
• Identify liable parties
• Calculate your maximum compensation based on your damages
• Deal with insurance companies so you don’t have to
• Negotiate for a fair settlement that will cover your expenses
• File a civil suit and fight for your rights in court, if need be

We bill our services on a contingency fee arrangement. We deduct our costs from your final award or settlement, and you don’t pay until we win. Take makes quality legal representation affordable for almost anybody.  

What Is a Sideswipe Accident Worth?

Your sideswipe accident could be worth thousands of dollars for minor injuries and property damage, or it could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more if your damages are greater. Each case is unique, and it is impossible to know without a thorough review.

 A sideswipe accident lawyer in Columbus can assess your economic and non-economic damages in order to arrive at a maximum compensation amount. 

Economic Damages

Your costs and expenses associated with your accident are known as your economic damages. They have a specific dollar amount attached to them. Some of the economic damages you may be able to recover include:

• Ambulance services and emergency room care after the accident
• The cost of doctor and specialist appointments
• Medications required due to your injuries
• Physical and occupational therapy sessions
• Surgery and other procedures
• Lost wages when you are not able to work due to your injury
• Future medical costs such as procedures, medications, and therapy
• Property damage, like the cost of repairing your vehicle

It may be helpful for your attorney if you hold on to copies of receipts and invoices for all costs you have incurred because of your accident and injury. 

Non-economic Damages

You may also have the right to claim non-economic damages to address some of the hardships you’ve suffered after the accident that don’t relate directly to financial loss. While they are harder to prove, you may be able to recover compensation for things like the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress

It is a good idea to keep notes on how the accident and your injuries have impacted your mental health, relationships, and emotional well-being. This can help your Columbus sideswipe accident attorney better understand your ability to claim non-economic damages. 

Who Is Liable in a Sideswipe Accident?

The liable party in a sideswipe accident is often easy to discern. These accidents typically happen when the at-fault driver’s vehicle is somewhere that it doesn’t belong. This can be due to factors such as:

• Reckless driving, such as changing lanes erratically or without looking
• Speeding and losing control of their vehicle
• Distracted driving
• The influence of drugs or alcohol
• Exhaustion and falling asleep at the wheel

However, there may be other liable parties. This could include situations where a third driver or pedestrian caused the accident or if defective or worn parts prevented one of the vehicles from operating correctly. 

Get Help from Columbus Sideswipe Accident Attorney

A sideswipe accident can mean serious injuries in some circumstances and long periods away from your job. That means expensive medical bills with no way to pay them. On top of that, your car is damaged, and you can’t be there for the people who need you.

Insurance companies should help, but they aren’t always eager to give you the settlement you need to pay your expenses and get your life back on track. A Columbus sideswipe accident attorney will help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve. 

Our team at John Foy & Associates has over 350 years of combined experience advocating for accident victims in need. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened.