Perhaps the most common types of car accidents in Las Vegas and across the country are side-swipe collisions. Car accidents involving side-swiping can create significant property damage and debilitating physical injuries. Understanding the typical reasons for sideswipe accidents can help you avoid this type of crash.
It is important to note that all drivers must take a moment to make sure there is enough space before entering into a new lane to prevent a potential crash. When a driver fails to exercise enough caution and a sideswipe crash occurs, they may be found legally and financially responsible for damages caused. This possibility, in and of itself, should be a reminder to always be fully aware of your surroundings while on the road.
Sideswipe Collisions
A sideswipe accident is a type of crash that involves the side of one car colliding with the side of another car. Sideswipe crashes typically happen with two cars that are traveling in the same direction and when one car veers into another lane, the right side of one vehicle collides with the left side of another’s car. That being said, sideswipe crashes can also happen between two cars that are traveling in opposite directions.
Many people think that sideswipe crashes are minor and do not cause serious injuries or property damage. While this may be true at times, this is not true all of the time. Indeed, sideswipe collisions can be just as dangerous and deadly as other types of car accidents. This is particularly true when sideswipe crashes happen on the freeway at higher speeds. For this reason, all drivers should stay alert and aware of all possible risks.
Frequency of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe crashes are actually one of the more typical car accidents involving two vehicles, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). A report issued by the NHTSA, nine percent of all law enforcement-reported crashes in the year surveyed were due to lane change (or sideswipe) collisions. Moreover, sideswipe crashes account for nearly three percent of deadly car accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). In fact, when looking at statistics on this issue the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that approximately 23% of deaths of passengers in vehicles are the result of side-impact collisions, like broadside sideswipe crashes.
The U.S. Migration Report, which analyzes nearly 300,000 moves across the country annually, ranks Nevada — and Las Vegas, in particular — as one of the most moved-to places in the nation. As the population in the city continues to increase, so does the risk of getting involved in a car accident — including sideswipes — due to congestion on the roadways.
According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety (NDPS), the number of traffic fatalities in Clark County has increased by almost 24%. Crash data from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDT) reveals that accidents commonly occur on Interstate 15, particularly near downtown Las Vegas, as well as on U.S. Route 95 and Interstate 215.
Contact Our Experienced Las Vegas Lawyers
If you have experienced a sideswipe collision and resulting injuries and property damage in Las Vegas or anywhere in the greater Nevada area, contact H&P Law today. Our experienced car accident attorneys can answer your questions and explain your rights and obligations under applicable law.
