Were you injured in a sideswipe collision in Queens, New York? Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. Call (718) 550-7851 to schedule a free consultation with a Queens sideswipe accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have over five decades of combined experience and have recovered significant compensation for injured clients in auto accidents. Call 212-CARRION to discuss your accident and learn how our legal team may be able to help.
Why Choose Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, for Help After a Sideswipe Accident in Queens?
Sideswipe accidents can raise difficult questions about which driver left their lane, whether someone failed to check a blind spot, and how much each driver contributed to the crash. Working with a Queens car accident attorney can help you understand how the available evidence may affect your claim.
Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, brings over 50 years of combined experience to personal injury cases and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. A Queens personal injury lawyer from our firm can evaluate the circumstances of your collision and help you pursue the compensation available under New York law.
When you are ready to learn more about how we can help you, call our firm in Queens, NY, to set up a free case review with a member of our team.
What Causes Sideswipe Accidents in Queens?
Many sideswipe crashes happen during lane changes, merging, or passing. New York law generally requires drivers to remain within a single lane and not move from it until they have determined that the movement can be made safely.
Common causes of sideswipe accidents include:
- Failing to check a blind spot
- Drifting into another lane
- Making an unsafe lane change
- Failing to signal
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence
- Merging without enough space
Heavy traffic can leave drivers with less room to correct a mistake. Regardless of where a crash happens, determining why one vehicle entered another vehicle’s space is often central to identifying fault.
Who Is Liable for a Queens Sideswipe Accident?
The driver who makes an unsafe lane change or drifts out of a lane may be responsible for a sideswipe collision. However, liability depends on the circumstances, and more than one person can sometimes contribute to the same crash.
Evidence can play an important role when the drivers disagree about what happened. Photographs of the damage, witness statements, dashcam footage, surveillance video, police reports, and roadway markings may help show which vehicle moved from its lane.
New York also has specific comparative-negligence rules for motor-vehicle personal injury cases. Under current law, an injured claimant can be barred from recovering damages in some cases when the claimant’s share of fault is greater than the fault of the defendant or the combined fault of multiple defendants.
A Queens car accident lawyer can help determine how disputed fault may affect your claim and which New York laws are applicable to your situation.
What Injuries Can a Sideswipe Collision Cause?
A sideswipe can force a vehicle into another lane, off the road, or into another object. As a result, injuries may come from the initial impact or a secondary collision.
Potential injuries include:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder and arm injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
Some injuries become more noticeable in the hours or days after a collision. Seeking medical care can help protect your health and document any conditions related to the crash.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Sideswipe Accident?
The compensation available after a Queens sideswipe accident depends on the injuries, insurance coverage, degree of fault, and other circumstances.
Potential damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
New York’s no-fault insurance system generally provides certain economic benefits after a motor vehicle accident regardless of fault. Additional compensation may be available when the requirements for a claim against another party are satisfied.
A lawyer can help you understand what compensation may be available in your specific situation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sideswipe Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York generally gives a person three years from the date of a car accident to bring a lawsuit. Different deadlines can apply depending on the parties involved and the type of claim. For example, special notice requirements can apply to claims against government entities.
Waiting can also make it more difficult to preserve evidence. Video may be deleted, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and memories can fade over time.
Contact a Queens Sideswipe Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
A sideswipe collision can leave unanswered questions about fault, insurance coverage, and the losses caused by the crash. Learning how New York law applies to the circumstances can help you decide what to do next.
Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC, can review your case and explain your available options. Contact the firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Queens sideswipe accident lawyer.
