When you travel along Turlock roads it’s a good idea to watch cars on both sides of you and those in front and behind. A distracted driver can glance down at a phone or even be eating a meal behind the wheel, certainly not watching the road, and suddenly be heading straight for you. A dangerous sideswipe crash across your doors may be the outcome.
If a careless driver lands you in a collision and you are injured, the costs of your recovery and paying your monthly bills should be the least of your worries. You should be allowed to focus on healing and the at-fault driver is the one who should be saddled with the financial burdens created by the accident.
To make sure you don’t get stuck with the bills, trust a Turlock attorney with experience defending injured victims to get you the compensation you’ll need to cover every hardship. Maison Law represents the victims of scary collisions and protects them from the tricks insurance companies like to use. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.
Sideswipe Accident Dangers in Turlock
Traveling alongside another car can sometimes make you feel uneasy, especially if you are nearing their blindspot or you’ve already seen them drifting in the lane. Careless drivers may forget to check their mirrors and their blindspots and come over on you. You may have no way to avoid a side impact.
A sideswipe accident can be the result of oncoming traffic too. A car can veer across the yellow line and strike a glancing blow. The real trouble can come after a sideswipe when shaken drivers may overcorrect and then strike another car or turn so sharply they flip their vehicles. An overturned car can provide the biggest risk for the occupants inside.
These accidents are seen every week in and around Turlock. California’s Transporation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) shows that in 2019 there were 243 sideswipe crashes reported in Stanislaus County. One person was tragically killed in those accidents and an astounding 334 people were left with injuries.
What to do After a Sideswipe Accident
The fault in a sideswipe accident may hinge on just a few feet. It may be the distance a careless driver came into your lane to strike you. You may have to lay this out for investigators so the at-fault driver doesn’t try to claim you were to blame.
After an accident, make sure your vehicle isn’t in a spot that can put it at risk of more collisions. Then assess your injuries and the injuries of anyone else in the car. If you or another passenger are okay to exit the vehicle, try to gather evidence on the scene:
- Call 911. Give a full report to the police and tell paramedics about everything that hurts.
- Take photos of the scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Take pictures of any street signs, lane markers, and anything else that strikes you as important.
- Note if there are any business or home security cameras nearby that might have caught the accident as it happened.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Don’t make statements about what happened to the driver or any representative from his or her insurance company that may call later.
- Get information from any witnesses on the scene. Take notes on their account or ask them to write down a statement and sign and date it. They may prefer for you to record them on your phone. Make sure you know how to reach them later.
- Get yourself and your family members checked out by your own doctor. Make sure you can access medical records later.
Compensation in a Turlock Accident
An attorney can help you file a claim for damages against the driver and his or her insurance company. If this civil lawsuit ends in an acceptable settlement offer or a positive trial verdict you can expect to recover many of the financial losses you endured since the accident. The size of the award may also be increased by the amount of physical and emotional pain you’ve had to live with.
- Actual Damages: You’ll be reimbursed for all hospital bills associated with the accident. Property damage to your car will also be included. The lost wages while you’ve had to miss work will also be restored. Actual damages can also factor in any expenses expected in the future.
- General Damages: Payment for losses that aren’t financial in nature. The pain you’ve suffered and any emotional distress you’ve had to cope with like depression or anxiety.
- Punitive Damages: In certain cases, a verdict can require the at-fault driver to pay an extra amount to punish the defendant for egregious, intentional, or particularly reckless behavior.
Contact a Turlock Auto Accident Attorney
If you are the victim of a careless driver and left with injuries, you’ll want to make sure your rights are protected as you recover. Contact an experienced Turlock car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
