Sideswipe accidents can happen unexpectedly due to factors such as weather conditions, but most are due to driver error. Some of the leading causes of side sweep collisions include:
- Distracted driving: Engaging in distractive activities such as using a cell phone, eating, or drinking while driving can cause drivers to lose focus and collide with the side of another vehicle.
- Speeding: Aggressive driving behaviors like speeding can increase the likelihood of a sideswipe collision by causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs a driver’s judgment, vision, and coordination, leading to an increased risk of sideswipe accidents.
- Drowsy driving: Fatigue or a lack of sleep can cause drivers to drift between lanes and sideswipe other vehicles.
- Road rage: Road rage and aggressive driving behaviors include changing lanes without warning, passing dangerously close to other vehicles, and cutting other drivers off, all of which can lead to sideswipe collisions.
- Weather conditions: Poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog can decrease road visibility and traction, making it more challenging for drivers to avoid sideswipe collisions.
Sideswipe accidents can occur in various situations, but there are specific scenarios where they are more likely to happen. For instance, when a driver fails to check their blind spots and signal properly when merging onto highways or switching lanes, the result is often a sideswipe accident. In parking lots, sideswipe accidents frequently occur when a driver is trying to enter or leave a parking space and inadvertently hits a parked car next to them.
If you’ve been involved in a sideswipe accident, whether it was a lane change accident, parking lot accident, or highway accident, you may be unsure of what to do next.