Were you injured in a sideswipe collision on Long Island, New York? Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today at (212) 433-3100 to schedule a free consultation with a Long Island sideswipe accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. At 212-CARRION, we can protect your legal rights and build a strong case on your behalf.
How Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, Can Help After a Sideswipe Accident on Long Island, NY
Sideswipe accidents on Long Island, NY, can lead to disputes over which driver moved out of their lane or failed to yield. In these discussions, it benefits you and your case to have a trusted legal advocate on your side. Our car accident lawyers can investigate what happened and gather evidence that may help establish fault.
When you hire Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, our legal team can:
- Obtain police reports and available traffic or surveillance footage
- Interview witnesses who saw the collision
- Review photographs of vehicle damage and the accident scene
- Examine medical records documenting your injuries
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Determine the value of your accident-related losses
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or prepare a lawsuit when necessary
Reach out to us today for a free consultation with a Long Island personal injury attorney. We can answer any questions you may have about our legal services during that meeting.
What Causes Sideswipe Accidents on Long Island?
Sideswipe crashes often result from mistakes made while changing lanes, merging, or passing another vehicle. They can occur on busy Long Island roads and highways when drivers fail to pay close attention to surrounding traffic.
Common causes include:
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Drifting out of a travel lane
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe merging
- Speeding
- Passing another vehicle without enough clearance
- Driving while impaired
- Failing to signal before changing lanes
Road construction, heavy traffic, and poor weather can also make it harder for drivers to remain safely within their lanes. Regardless of the circumstances, determining why the crash happened is an important part of identifying who may be responsible.
Who Is at Fault for a Sideswipe Collision?
Fault in a sideswipe accident depends on the facts of the crash. In many cases, the driver who moved out of their lane or attempted an unsafe lane change may be at fault.
However, fault is not always obvious. Both drivers may claim that the other crossed the lane line. Evidence such as vehicle damage, dashcam footage, surveillance video, eyewitness accounts, and photographs of the crash scene may help show how the collision occurred.
Under New York’s comparative fault rules, multiple parties could be held liable for the same crash. These rules can affect how much compensation you receive if you are found to be partially responsible for your sideswipe accident. Our car accident attorneys in Long Island can help you understand how these rules may affect your case.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Long Island Sideswipe Accident?
New York is a no-fault insurance state. No-fault coverage generally pays certain accident-related economic losses regardless of who caused the collision. New York requires at least $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation after a sideswipe accident may cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning ability
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
New York may limit when someone injured in a motor vehicle collision can pursue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. A qualifying “serious injury” is generally required under the state’s no-fault laws. New York recently amended its serious-injury rules, and the changes apply to actions and proceedings commenced on or after May 26, 2026.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Sideswipe Accident Claim?
Evidence can be especially important in a sideswipe case because the drivers may disagree about who left their lane. Gathering information early can make it easier to reconstruct the crash.
Useful evidence may include photographs of the location and vehicle damage, police reports, witness statements, dashcam recordings, nearby surveillance footage, and electronic vehicle data. Medical records can also help document the nature and extent of your injuries.
Insurance companies may conduct their own investigation and challenge your version of events. Preserving evidence as soon as possible can help establish what happened before important information disappears.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sideswipe Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York typically gives victims three years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. Different deadlines can apply in certain cases, including claims involving government entities.
Waiting until the deadline approaches can create problems even when a claim is still legally valid. Witnesses may become harder to locate, video recordings may be deleted, and physical evidence can disappear. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Long Island soon after an accident can help preserve evidence and identify the deadlines that apply to your case.
Contact a Long Island Sideswipe Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Determining what happened in a sideswipe collision is not always straightforward, particularly when the drivers give different accounts of the crash. A careful investigation can help identify the responsible parties and document the losses caused by the accident.
Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, can review the circumstances of your collision and explain your options for moving forward. Contact our Long Island sideswipe accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
