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Legal Representation for Clients Across North Carolina
Sideswipe accidents are common in North Carolina and typically occur when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make lateral contact—often due to unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, or failure to check blind spots. While they may initially seem minor, they can cause serious injuries and complicated liability issues, especially at high speeds. Accident victims may face significant challenges, including physical injuries, vehicle damage, mounting medical expenses, and lost wages—especially when the at-fault driver denies responsibility or leaves the scene.
If this has happened to you, consult a skilled sideswipe accident attorney at Rhine Law Firm, P.C., to help navigate the legal complexities. We have 30 years of experience standing up to insurance companies and won millions of dollars for our clients. We have the resources to fight for fair compensation – and we won’t be intimidated.
Why Do Sideswipe Accidents Happen?
The most common causes include the following:
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone
- Unsafe merging without yielding to other vehicles
- Aggressive or reckless driving, including weaving between lanes
- Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
- Poorly marked lanes or unclear merge points
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Adverse weather conditions affecting visibility and road grip
- Failure to stay aware of surrounding traffic
Many of these accidents occur at highway speeds, which increases the risk of serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage.
What To Do After A Sideswipe Accident
After a sideswipe accident, your actions in the immediate aftermath are critical to protecting your legal rights and maximizing your ability to recover compensation.
Follow these essential steps:
- Call 911 – Always report the accident to law enforcement. A police report provides an official, objective record of the incident and may include the officer’s opinion on fault, which can be a powerful tool in your claim.
- Take Photos and Videos – Thoroughly document the scene. Include damage to all vehicles, license plates, surrounding road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries. This evidence can be essential when disputing fault.
- Get Witness Information – If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. Third-party statements can also be crucial, especially if the other driver disputes what happened.
- Seek Medical Attention – Don’t assume you’re fine. Conditions like whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries may have delayed onset symptoms. Prompt treatment also creates medical records that support your claim.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters – The other driver’s insurer may contact you, often with leading questions to get you to admit partial fault. It’s wise to politely decline.
Consult a personal injury lawyer who can take over direct communication with insurance companies, protect you from tactics that may undermine your claim, and ensure all critical evidence—such as medical records, witness statements, and accident reports—is properly documented. An experienced attorney will also evaluate the full scope of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impacts, and work strategically to build a strong case on your behalf.
How Contributory Negligence Affects Your Claim
North Carolina’s pure contributory negligence rule is one of the country’s most unforgiving legal standards regarding personal injury claims. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1 percent at fault for causing the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation—no matter how severe your injuries are or how overwhelmingly at fault the other driver may have been. There are no exceptions for minor or shared fault, making it essential to build a strong case.
Insurance companies know this and frequently attempt to shift even a small portion of blame onto the victim to avoid paying out. In sideswipe accidents, for example, they may argue that you veered slightly into another lane, failed to take evasive action, or were driving at an unsafe speed, even if the other driver clearly caused the collision. These tactics are aimed at exploiting the contributory negligence rule to deny your claim entirely.
Given this legal environment, it’s critical to work with an experienced Wilmington car accident lawyer who understands how to effectively counter these arguments—giving you the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve.
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request. We offer Spanish interpretation and translation services
Schedule a Free Consultation with Rhine Law Firm, P.C.
If you have been seriously injured in a sideswipe car accident, the repercussions can last for years. If the insurance company offers you a low-ball settlement that would not cover your losses, do not sign anything until you confer with us. We will negotiate aggressively for full and fair compensation. If negotiations falter, we are prepared to fight for you in court. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Our Promise to You
We are proud to serve the people of North Carolina.
Although our primary office location is in Wilmington, North Carolina we represent clients nationally and across the state of North Carolina. Some of the many areas we serve are listed below.
