If your car gets sideswiped, you should immediately call police to the scene along with emergency medical personnel to treat anyone injured in either car. You should also document the accident scene if possible, collect contact information from witnesses, and schedule a free consultation with a personal injury law firm to learn about your legal options.
Your Parker car accident lawyer can help you file a claim for financial recovery with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. They can also help you understand the financial recovery process of a negligence-based car accident.
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Immediately Call Police and Paramedics to the Scene of a Sideswipe Accident
The aftermath of a car accident can be confusing and stressful. However, your actions in the minutes, hours, days, and weeks after the accident are important since an accident can lead to serious injuries and could leave your car severely damaged or destroyed.
First, you should call 911 to summon police and paramedics to the accident scene. An official police report contains valuable information that can substantiate your claim for compensation against the negligent driver. According to CO. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1606, filing a police report is mandatory after a car accident that results in any of the following:
- Injury to anyone in either vehicle
- One or more fatalities
- More than $1,000 in property damage to one or more vehicles
You should also file a police report after a car accident, even if it seems minor, to capture impartial details and information about the collision. The at-fault driver’s insurance company (or yours) will require a report when filing a claim.
Gather Evidence of the At-Fault Driver’s Negligence That Led to Your Sideswipe Car Accident
A sideswipe car accident is a dangerous one in which two cars are traveling side-by-side and one strikes and scrapes along the side of the other. It can result in serious injuries for vehicle occupants on the side of the car involved in the collision. It can also cause severe damage to both cars.
To recover damages after a sideswipe accident, you must prove the liable party was negligent. Some commonly reported causes of sideswipe collisions that could be attributed to negligence include:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
To prove the other driver’s negligence, your car accident attorney must prove the four legal elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Your evidence file will aim to prove these elements for you.
If possible, gather evidence of negligence and your injuries at the accident scene, including photos of the scene and your injuries, as well as contact information for witnesses. If a personal injury attorney represents you, they can handle all further evidence collection for you.
When you pursue compensation for a sideswipe accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will demand proof of its cause and costs. In addition to your police report, a strong evidence collection can include:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert testimonials
- Photos and videos
- Vehicle inspection
- First responder reports
It should also contain proof of lost income, medical bills, and bills and estimates for repairing or replacing your car.
Take Legal Action as Soon as Possible After a Sideswipe Auto Accident
Recovering from your car accident injuries is your priority. While you focus on getting better, consider hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer to manage all the details of your case, so you will not lose valuable investigating time or risk filing your lawsuit too late.
In Colorado, you generally have:
- Three years from the collision date to file your personal injury lawsuit, per CO. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101
- Three years from the date of a loved one’s death to file your wrongful death lawsuit, per Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-80-108
If the applicable filing deadline expires, the court could prohibit you from filing your lawsuit or dismiss it immediately, and the insurance company could stop negotiating. A lawyer can help you avoid these consequences by filing your lawsuit within the allotted time.
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Consider Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Instead of Pursuing Damages Alone
A sideswipe crash lawyer can do more than meet the statute of limitations. They can also deal with the negligent driver’s insurance company, so you do not have to. Your lawyer can:
- Thoroughly investigate your accident
- Gather physical evidence and supporting documents
- Draft and file your insurance claim and lawsuit
- Handle all communication with the insurance adjuster
- Find and interview eyewitnesses and relevant experts
- Negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf
It can be hard to wait for your case to move forward and reach a resolution. Your lawyer can provide timely and informative updates as your case progresses. They can also guide you through the negotiation process and fight hard to recover fair compensation for you and your family.
Learn What Damages You Can Recover for a Sideswipe Car Accident
You can generally recover the following economic and non-economic damages through the claims process:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Current and future loss of income
- Lost ability to earn in the future
- Lasting disability or disfigurement
- Ongoing physical pain and suffering
- Ongoing mental and emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
Collect all the bills, receipts, estimates, invoices, and any other proof of cost that documents the value of your recoverable damages.
Document the Costs of Repairing or Replacing Your Damaged Car
The cost of repairing your car after a sideswipe depends on how much damage it sustained. Repair costs can include:
- Side airbags
- Frame damage
- Replacing doors
- Tire replacement
- Matching paint color
- Window replacement
If your car is damaged beyond repair, the at-fault driver could be responsible for the costs of replacing your car. All these costs are generally recoverable as part of your injury claim.
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Get a Free Review of Your Sideswipe Car Accident Claim Today
If you or a loved one was injured when a negligent driver sideswiped your car, our personal injury law firm can help you seek compensation. One of our car accident lawyers will build a comprehensive insurance claim and fight for the best possible outcome for you.
Learn more about what we can do for you if your car was sideswiped. Contact our consultation team at Matlin Injury Law to explore your options for financial recovery today.
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