A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles collide while moving in the same direction, causing the right side of one vehicle to strike the left side of the other. These crashes often happen as a result of one of the two involved cars leaving its lane of travel when it was dangerous to do so. Because neither driver is aware that the accident is about to occur and because neither vehicle is prepared, these crashes may be quite deadly, especially when they happen on highways at high speeds. The impacted vehicles may lose control or overcompensate in an effort to maintain control due to the surprise of the accident. At Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, we have a professional sideswipe accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, who can handle your case.
Being involved in a sideswipe accident with a cab driver doesn’t make your situation too unique when it comes to the legal point of view. The outcome of your claim could be affected, however, because cab drivers are likely to fight harder to protect their livelihoods. If you are injured in an accident caused by a cab driver, you should contact a sideswipe accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ. Here are a few other important things you can do:
Just like any other type of automobile accident, you can and should call the police after the incident occurs. If anyone is injured, be sure you notify the dispatcher so proper help can be sent your way. When a police officer arrives on the scene, he or she will generally make a visual assessment of what occurred. Witnesses will likely be interviewed, and you will probably need to make a statement as well.Â
The police officer will compile a report about the accident. You can ask the officer for a copy of the report at the scene of your accident, but in most cases, you will need to acquire the report at a later time by contacting your local courthouse or a police station.
If you don’t care for your injuries, you won’t be in the best physical condition to fight for compensation. There’s a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time you have to file a claim, but you do have some time, so be sure to seek medical care first. Sometimes this means taking an ambulance to the hospital immediately following your accident, and sometimes it means following up with your regular physician a couple of days later. In any case, take care of yourself so you have the strength to recover properly and handle your claim.Â
To make your case against the cab driver, you’ll need to collect evidence of fault. This is often easy to achieve with the assistance of the police report that was made, but you should do some of your own sleuthing as well. Look for traffic cameras that could have recorded the accident. Contact witnesses to see if anyone took photos or a video. If you are competent at the scene of the accident, take photos of the accident, the surrounding area, your injuries, and the damage done to your car.
Being in a sideswipe accident can put a serious wrench in your day. When you are hit by a cab driver, you can almost always expect a good fight. Contact a Phoenix, AZ, sideswipe accident lawyer at Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, to help you make your case.