You are traveling in your vehicle when all of a sudden, a vehicle moves into your lane and makes impact with your car.
You have just experienced a sideswipe vehicle accident.
A sideswipe car crash happens when two vehicles collide that were moving in the same direction. It does matter if the vehicles were traveling at a low rate or at a high rate of speed. These types of accidents are typically caused by a careless driver that allows his or her car to move into another traveling lane. What matters the most is for you to know the top 5 things to do after a sideswipe accident.
Collect Physical Evidence
Depending on the severity of the accident, the nearest law enforcement agency might decide not to respond to the scene. This means there will not be a formal police report attached to your auto insurance claim. Without a formal police report, you have the responsibility to gather the evidence required to help an insurance adjuster determine fault and the amount of compensation you should receive.
For a sideswipe accident, take photos of the damage done to the side of your vehicle. Most sideswipe accidents cause damage to the driver and/or passenger door. Shoot pics of all the damage, as well as save the images on your Smartphone that provide details about the accident scene and the condition of the road at the time of the crash. You should also interview witness to strengthen your auto insurance claim.
Take Care of Yourself
Even a minor bumping of the cars involved in a sideswipe vehicle accident can trigger physical distress symptoms for the driver of the impacted vehicle. This means that you should visit your physician to determine the extent of your physical injuries.
If you suffer one or more serious injuries, forgo the evidence collection process and instead, get yourself quickly to the closest hospital emergency room. To increase the likelihood of an insurance adjuster approving your claim for personal injury compensation, attach every medical bill and record to your auto insurance claim.
Auto Repair Bills
A side swipe accident can leave you with auto repair bills that exceed thousands of dollars. From popping out huge dents to restoring the damaged engine, you can take a huge financial hit at the auto mechanic shop.
Ask your insurance company for a recommendation about where to take your car. Your insurer will be more likely to approve a claim, if you took your vehicle to an auto mechanic the insurance company trusts. Make copies of every auto repair bill and attach the copies to your insurance claim.
Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer
The ultimate goal of a vehicle insurance claim is to receive compensation to cover all the costs generated by a sideswipe accident. Your auto insurer carrier employs a team of actuaries that can calculate the cost of a vehicle accident down to the lase penny. Make sure your insurer conducts a professional review of your claim by asking a state licensed personal injury attorney to work with you.
Your lawyer will not only ensure you receive compensation for all your medical expenses, he or she will monitor the claim process to ensure you receive a decision in a timely manner.
Filing a claim electronically requires the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. Most personal injury lawyers offer new clients a free initial consultation to determine the best course of legal action.
