Sideswipe Automobile Collisions

A sideswipe collision occurs when two vehicles travelling next to each other collide.  It usually happens when one of the drivers is distracted, or is unable to concentrate on driving, and starts to move into the next lane.  A powerful side impact can result in serious injuries, especially if the vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed and/or one vehicle is significantly larger than the other. Below is additional information you might find helpful if you have been involved in a sideswipe collision.

Sideswipe collisions are car accidents in which the side of one or more vehicles is impacted. These crashes often occur at intersections, in parking lots, and on multi-lane roads and are a result of when drivers make improper turns - such as a left turn from the right lane of traffic or vice-versa - or fail to yield the right of way to other vehicles. Sideswipe collisions can also occur when one vehicle is turning right from the appropriate outside lane and strikes a vehicle attempting to pass on the right shoulder.  A vehicle's blind spot can also contribute to the cause of a sideswipe collision as the driver is unable to see other cars travelling next to him due to the vehicle's design.  

T-bone accidents occur when the side of one vehicle is impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming a “T.” These types of car accidents are also referred to as broadside collisions. T-bone collisions are often caused when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way, or runs a red light in an intersection. With T-bone accidents, injuries are likely and the severity of the injuries will often depend on the following factors:

• The part of the vehicle that is struck
• The speeds of both vehicles
• Vehicle safety features
• Vehicle weight and construction

A person in a vehicle involved in a T-bone collision will usually sustain more serious injuries than if they were involved in a rear-end collision, especially if they were riding on the side of the vehicle that was struck.

In T-bone collisions, both vehicles are often turned from their original directions of travel. If the crash is severe, the struck vehicle may spin or roll over, potentially causing it to strike other vehicles, objects, or pedestrians. After the accident, the vehicles involved may be stuck together due to the folding of their parts around each other.

Side impact car accidents are more likely to involve multiple individual collisions than other types of car accidents, and/or sudden speed changes before motion stops. This is significant because if one or both vehicles are equipped with airbags, the airbags will likely deploy with the first impact, which means that for subsequent collisions, the vehicle occupants won’t have the protection of the airbag.

If you have been involved in a sideswipe or T-bone car collision in Georgia, please contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your accident. Our lawyers are here to explain your legal options and help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries and damages, and we don’t charge anything unless we resolve your case via settlement or verdict.