Sideswipe Collision 

Sideswipe collisions often happen during lane changes or merging and can cause serious injuries and vehicle damage.

Sideswipe accidents are more than just minor scrapes between vehicles. They can lead to painful injuries, expensive repairs, and months of physical and financial stress. Many people don’t realize how dangerous these accidents are until they live through one.

If you or someone you care about has been involved in a sideswipe collision, a car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and next steps. The way the law works in Illinois means you may have options for compensation, but you must act with the right information.

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What Is a Sideswipe Collision?

A sideswipe collision happens when the sides of two vehicles touch or crash into each other. This usually occurs when one driver drifts out of their lane, fails to check blind spots, or makes a careless lane change.

These accidents are common on highways, city roads, and in heavy traffic.

  • Happens when two vehicles traveling next to each other make contact
  • Commonly caused by unsafe lane changes or drifting
  • Often occurs at high speeds, increasing the risk of injury
  • Can involve cars, motorcycles, or trucks
  • Sometimes leads to chain reaction crashes

A sideswipe collision can lead to serious complications even if the contact seems light. Damage, injuries, and legal confusion may follow, especially if fault is unclear.

Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Illinois

Common causes of sideswipe accidents in Illinois include distracted driving, speeding, and unsafe lane changes.

Drivers in the Chicago area deal with busy roads, distracted motorists, and unpredictable traffic patterns. These conditions increase the chance of sideswipe crashes, especially when drivers make poor decisions.

  • Failing to check mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes

  • Texting or using a phone while driving

  • Driving too fast for traffic conditions

  • Fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel

  • Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs

  • Aggressive driving, such as weaving in and out of traffic

Identifying the cause of the crash helps determine who is at fault and how compensation may be handled. It also highlights the importance of safe driving habits in crowded areas.

Where These Accidents Often Happen

Sideswipe collisions can happen anywhere, but some areas around Chicago and the suburbs see more of these crashes. High-speed roads and intersections with unclear markings are trouble spots.

  • Kennedy Expressway and Dan Ryan Expressway
  • Lake Shore Drive during rush hour
  • Two-lane roads in suburban areas like Schaumburg, Palatine, and Arlington Heights
  • Merging areas on I-90 and I-290
  • Intersections with fading lane paint or poor lighting

Knowing where these accidents commonly happen can make drivers more cautious. Hot spots often have traffic congestion, unclear lanes, or sudden merging.

Injuries Commonly Linked to Sideswipe Collisions

People often assume a sideswipe isn’t serious because it’s not a head-on crash. But the truth is, injuries can be severe, especially when vehicles are moving fast or when the driver loses control after the initial hit.

  • Whiplash from the sudden sideways movement

  • Bruises or broken bones from side airbags or contact with the door

  • Head injuries if the driver hits the window or frame

  • Shoulder, arm, or hip injuries from the force of impact

  • Cuts from broken glass or flying debris

These injuries may not show up immediately but can worsen over time. That’s why it’s important to seek medical care and keep track of symptoms in the days following the accident.

Challenges of Proving Fault in These Accidents

Unlike rear-end crashes, where fault is usually clear, sideswipe accidents often lead to finger-pointing.

Each driver may say the other drifted into their lane. That makes proof essential.

  • Dashcam footage can be a game-changer

  • Independent witnesses can back up one side’s story

  • Vehicle damage tells a story when examined closely

  • Accident reconstruction experts may be needed in complex cases

  • Timing of injuries and EMS reports can support a timeline of events

Proving who caused the accident may be the most challenging part of the case. Small details and strong documentation are the best tools in these disputes.

Steps to Take in the Days After a Sideswipe

Right after a crash, people usually file police reports and get urgent care. But the actions in the following days and weeks are just as necessary.

  • Keep a daily pain and symptom journal

  • Attend every medical appointment, even if pain seems minor

  • Save receipts and bills for all related costs

  • Get written opinions from doctors about long-term effects

  • Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance without legal advice

These steps support your personal injury case and show how the accident affected your health and finances. Small efforts now can make a big difference later.

What You May Be Able to Recover

The law in Illinois allows people injured in sideswipe accidents to recover damages if the other driver was mostly at fault. The amount depends on many factors, including the seriousness of the injury and how much work or life was disrupted.

  • Medical bills, both current and future

  • Lost income from time away from work

  • Reduced ability to earn in the future

  • Pain and physical suffering

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle

Each claim is unique. The more proof you have of what you lost, the stronger your chance of getting fair compensation.

When to Consider Legal Help

Know when to contact a car accident lawyer after a sideswipe collision to protect your rights and claim.

Sideswipe accident claims may seem simple, but they rarely are. If you’re recovering from injuries, trying to work, and also dealing with insurance paperwork, things can get difficult.

  • If the other driver denies fault

  • If you’re getting calls from more than one insurance company

  • If you missed work or need long-term care

  • If you feel pressure to accept a uick settlement

  • If your car was totaled and you can’t afford repairs out of pocket

Getting help with your claim can bring peace of mind. It also improves your chances of getting the support you need.

Your Legal Options in Rolling Meadows and Beyond

Vito & Dollenmaier Law helps people in Rolling Meadows and nearby suburbs deal with the aftermath of serious vehicle crashes. If you’re not sure where to begin or you feel like you’re being blamed unfairly, a conversation with a personal injury attorney could help.

Call (224) 539-8821 to learn more about your options. The call is free, and there’s no obligation.

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