Erie, Pennsylvania, Sideswipe Car Accident Lawyers

Erie Sideswipe Car Accident Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Committed to Defending the Rights of Sideswipe Car Accident Victims Across Erie County. If You, or a Loved One, Have Been Injured in a Serious Pennsylvania Sideswipe Car Crash, You Deserve Aggressive Representation and an Attorney Willing to Fight for You.

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Serious car crashes and traffic fatalities are on the rise across the Keystone State. While Erie might not be among the most populous counties in Pennsylvania, it experiences more than its fair share of collisions. According to the National Safety Commission, sideswipe collisions are among the most common types of crashes reported annually. Sideswipe collisions have many potential causes. However, they are often the fault of distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent drivers.

When negligent motorists violate another vehicle’s right-of-way, they put themselves and everyone around them at risk of serious injury. Even with a comprehensive, high-quality health insurance policy, victims may struggle to stay atop mounting medical debt. With healthcare spending reaching record highs, recovery could seem like an impossibility. Fortunately, you do not have to bear the burden of a negligent motorist’s misconduct. If you, or a loved one, have been injured in an Erie, Pennsylvania, car accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing unparalleled personal injury service. Since 2005, we have helped our clients obtain more than $175 million in damages from negligent motorists, insurance companies, and other wrongdoers. Our experienced team of attorneys knows what it takes to build a compelling and evidence-based claim for compensation. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Sideswipe Crashes In Pennsylvania

Side-angle and sideswipe crashes are incredibly common. In total, experts believe that 242,000 sideswipe-type collisions occur each year. Traffic accident researchers have also found the following:

1. An estimated 45.6% of side crashes are angle crashes;
2. About 36.1% of all side collisions are same-direction sideswipes; and
3. Approximately 4.6% of these crashes are opposite-direction sideswipes.

All side-angle and sideswipe collisions have the potential to cause devastating injuries. However, opposite-direction sideswipes are disproportionately likely to inflict serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. Bicyclists and motorcycle riders are among the most likely to be seriously injured in sideswipe crashes since their vehicles lack the protective frame and safety features of larger passenger cars and trucks. The severity of accident-related injuries could also be influenced by the following factors:

1. The speed of the involved vehicles;
2. The size of the involved vehicles; and
3. The angle and point of impact.

At higher speeds, a forceful sideswipe crash could force one or more vehicles off the road, culminating in occupant ejection or collision with an obstacle.

Common Sideswipe Collision Injuries

Sideswipe collisions can result in serious injuries, even when they occur in slow-moving city traffic. The most common reported sideswipe accident injuries include, but are not limited to:

1. Broken and fractured bones;
2. Serious cuts, scrapes, and lacerations;
3. Road rash;
4. Traumatic brain injuries;
5. Head and neck injuries;
6. Internal bleeding;
7. Internal organ damage;
8. Fire and chemical burns;
9. Whiplash; and

The passengers seated closest to the point of impact are the most likely to sustain injuries. However, the force of impact can affect anyone inside a vehicle, especially if the collision pushes the car into traffic or an off-road obstacle. Unfortunately, even seemingly minor injuries—such as a fractured wrist, concussion, or motorcycle road rash—often necessitate intensive medical interventions.

Pennsylvania does not currently limit the damages available to sideswipe accident survivors. However, the Keystone State does have a strict statute of limitations. If you wait too long to contact an experienced personal injury attorney, your claim may be dismissed without consideration. Do not lose your chance to ascertain justice. Please call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at 814-839-3939 to speak to a legal professional and discuss your options for relief.

Establishing Liability After a Sideswipe Accident

Pennsylvania is one of about a dozen states that have no-fault insurance laws. Under most circumstances, your car insurance carrier is responsible for paying for your medical treatment and other expenses associated with an accident, irrespective of who was at fault. If you file a personal injury lawsuit, you will have to provide evidence of the following:

1. The at-fault motorist owed you a duty of care, meaning that they had a legal responsibility to operate their motor vehicle in a reasonable manner;
2. The at-fault motorist breached their duty of care by acting negligently;
3. The at-fault motorist’s negligence caused your injuries; and
4. You sustained injuries or other damages that can be compensated by a Pennsylvania court.

Even if you have a seemingly open-and-close case, proving that the other motorist was at-fault could present unexpected challenges. Ordinarily, insurance companies and courts will assign liability to the driver who violated the other vehicle’s right-of-way. However, if the other motorist and their insurance company believe that your own negligence caused or contributed to the accident, they could try to deny your claim or devalue your damages.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades aggressively advocating for accident victims. Our highly experienced team of sideswipe collision attorneys could help you obtain the evidence needed to prove that the other motorist’s misconduct caused your Pennsylvania car crash. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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