Sideswipe collisions may seem minor compared to head-on crashes, but they frequently cause serious injuries, vehicle damage, and stressful insurance processes that can haunt victims for months or years. You are entitled to compensation after being involved in a sideswipe accident in Bakersfield, but your legal options will depend on how the crash occurred. In these situations, it is essential to work with a Bakersfield car accident lawyer who will protect your best interests.
What Constitutes a Sideswipe Collision?
A sideswipe collision occurs when the side of one vehicle makes contact with the side of another vehicle traveling in the same or opposite direction. These accidents commonly happen on multilane roads, highways, and particularly in areas where lanes merge, such as freeway on-ramps throughout Bakersfield. You will also find them occurring in parking lots when drivers fail to check blind spots while pulling out of spaces.
Primary Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Bakersfield
Bakersfield’s busy highways and congested city streets create prime conditions for sideswipe collisions. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Distracted driving (such as texting, phone use, or adjusting controls)
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Improper merging techniques, especially during rush hour
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue, especially among long-haul truckers
- Aggressive driving behaviors like weaving through traffic
- Poor visibility due to weather conditions or inadequate lighting
Proving Fault After a Negligent Driver Sideswipes You
California is a fault accident state, which means that at-fault drivers are financially responsible for any accidents that they cause. This applies to sideswipe collisions caused by negligent motorists. To recover compensation in your insurance claim or lawsuit, you will need to prove four important facts: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
All drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road, which is breached when they drive carelessly. You must then show this breach directly caused the sideswipe accident and your injuries, resulting in damages.
Several pieces of evidence can help establish these elements:
- Traffic camera footage, dashcam recordings, and photographs from the accident scene can document the collision and demonstrate fault.
- Witness statements from passengers or bystanders provide additional perspectives on how the accident occurred.
- Police reports contain the responding officer’s assessment and may include a preliminary determination of fault.
- Medical records connect your injuries and damages directly to the collision.
Gathering this evidence can be challenging when you are recovering from an accident. In these situations, a Bakersfield car accident lawyer can bring valuable benefits. They know how to obtain and preserve critical evidence before it disappears. They work with accident reconstruction specialists who analyze skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and other physical evidence to establish exactly how the collision occurred.
Your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer will also handle communications with insurance companies, preventing you from making statements that might undermine your case. Additionally, your attorney will identify the full scope of damages you can claim, including future medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Begin Building Your Case with Rodriguez & Associates
After a sideswipe collision in Bakersfield, you may face serious injuries, vehicle damage, and insurance companies eager to minimize your claim. Rodriguez & Associates can support you during this complex process and fight for the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today at (661) 777-7575 for a free case evaluation—we offer services in both English and Spanish.