Houston Sideswipe Accidents

Car accidents in Houston are classified by the angle of collision, including head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, and rear-end accidents. Sideswipe accidents in Houston are unique in that they aren’t angle collisions but instead occur when two vehicles brush, bump, or scrape against each other at the sides of the vehicles while moving in the same direction. Some sideswipe accidents occur when vehicles make a glancing blow against each other while passing in opposite directions. Sideswipes are the second-most common type of car accident in Houston, after rear-end collisions. In traffic-congested Houston, sideswipe accidents are an all-too-common occurrence.

Determining fault in a sideswipe accident can be more difficult than in other types of accidents because they can occur from subtle shifts out of a lane or when a driver makes an error while merging into traffic. It often takes an experienced car accident attorney in Houston to investigate the accident and consult with accident reconstruction experts to prove a driver’s negligent actions so an injury victim can recover compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Houston

Most sideswipe accidents in Houston occur due to driver negligence. Common causes of sideswipe accidents include the following:

• Distracted driving: a driver may drift out of their lane while texting or otherwise distracted
• Speeding: exceeding the speed limit may make a vehicle more difficult to control or maneuver through traffic, sometimes causing a sideswipe accident with another vehicle
• Unsafe lane changes: when a driver fails to properly check their mirrors or double-check blind spots, they may make an unsafe lane change and sideswipe a vehicle already in the lane
• Drunk driving: intoxicated drivers may have poor visual perception and difficulty remaining in their lane
• Aggressive driving: aggressive drivers may weave through traffic, pass on narrow roadways, or use the shoulder of the road to pass, sometimes causing a sideswipe accident
• Heavy winds: wind may cause vehicles to drift out of their lane, especially tall vehicles with narrow wheelbases such as large commercial trucks
• Failure to adjust speed for inclement weather conditions: Sometimes icy or wet roads cause a car to drift or slide. While not all sliding is preventable, if a driver fails to adjust their speed appropriately for poor weather conditions and causes a sideswipe accident, they may be liable for damages

Sideswipe accidents can cause injuries ranging from mild to severe, depending on the speed at which the accident occurs and what happens to the vehicles after the initial sideswipe.

Common Injuries From Houston Sideswipe Accidents

Some sideswipe accidents result only in property damage to both vehicles, but others can cause serious injuries, especially if the sideswipe impact causes one or both vehicles to slide off the road or to veer into other lanes of traffic. Common injuries from sideswipe accidents range in severity and include the following:

• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Head injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Injuries from sideswipe accidents quickly become expensive. Even mild injuries can lead to financial hardship with only a single missed paycheck and a large medical bill for emergency care. More serious injuries can cause an inability to return to work at the previous capacity or at all. After a sideswipe accident, a claim for compensation requires showing evidence of an at-fault driver’s liability for the consequences of the accident. A Houston car accident lawyer can help navigate a claim for damages after a sideswipe accident.