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Sideswipe Car Accident Lawyers
Sideswipe accidents happen every day on Los Angeles freeways and surface streets. The specific injuries and damages from your sideswipe accident are individual to you and deserve the full attention of an experienced attorney. Maybe you were driving in your lane on the 405 when another driver drifted over without looking, or you were merging onto the 101 when a distracted driver clipped your side. Whatever the circumstances, they are unique to your case.
At Bojat Law Group, we understand the pain and frustration that come after a sideswipe collision — the medical bills piling up, the missed work, the constant calls from insurance adjusters who don’t have your best interests in mind. As a full-service law firm, we bring skilled trial lawyers, qualified investigators, and financial resources to manage your matter diligently from start to finish.
Our focus is and always will be on securing the maximum compensation you’re legally entitled to. The insurance companies will try to pay you less — we make sure they don’t. If you’ve been hurt in a sideswipe accident, hire a lawyer who puts your recovery first. Choose Bojat Law Group. Your case deserves immediate attention. Call (818) 877-4878 today — we’re always open.
What Is a Sideswipe Car Accident?
A sideswipe happens when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other, either in the same direction or opposite directions, make contact along their sides. It’s that sudden scraping, grinding impact that can happen in a split second on a freeway, a surface street, or even in a parking lot.
In Los Angeles, where traffic is packed tight and lane changes happen constantly, sideswipe collisions are extremely common. Think about your daily commute on the 405, the 101, or the 10 freeway. Vehicles are inches apart, drivers are distracted, and one wrong move triggers a chain reaction.
Even same-direction sideswipes on California freeways can cause drivers to lose control and collide with guardrails, medians, or other vehicles — turning what looks like a “minor” scrape into a multi-vehicle pileup.
Bottom line: Sideswipe accidents are not minor by default. The severity depends on speed, vehicle size, road conditions, and whether the initial impact triggers a secondary crash. If you’ve been in one, take it seriously.
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Why These Crashes Happen
Common Causes of Sideswipe
Accidents in California
Almost every sideswipe collision we handle comes down to a careless or reckless decision behind the wheel. These are the causes we see most often in Los Angeles and across California.
01
Unsafe Lane Changes
The number one cause. Drivers switching lanes without checking blind spots or signaling. California Vehicle Code §22107 requires drivers to change lanes only when safe — when they skip this step, they collide with whoever's already in that lane.
02
Distracted Driving
Texting, scrolling social media, eating, adjusting GPS - any of it can cause a driver to drift from their lane. Distracted driving contributes to roughly 23% of all crashes statewide. A two-second glance at a phone at highway speed covers a football field.
03
Merging Errors
Short on-ramps, heavy traffic, and limited visibility make California freeways prime spots for sideswipes. Drivers who fail to match traffic speed or force their way in cause these regularly on the 405, the 110, and the 5 through downtown LA.
04
Driving Under the Influence
Impaired drivers have poor spatial awareness and slower reactions. In 2024, LA County saw over 6,300 DUI-related injuries and fatalities. Drunk or drugged drivers are far more likely to weave between lanes and sideswipe vehicles around them.
05
Drowsy Driving
Long LA commutes wear drivers down. A fatigued driver can drift sideways without realizing it — especially common on extended stretches like the I-5 through the Central Valley or late-night drives on the 101.
06
Aggressive Driving
Weaving through traffic, tailgating, cutting people off - aggressive drivers create sideswipe situations constantly on Southern California roads. Racing between cars at 80 mph makes it only a matter of time before they clip someone.
SIDESWIPE COLLISION INJURIES
Injuries Caused by
Sideswipe Accidents
Your car’s side panels, doors, and windows offer far less protection than the front or rear. The sudden lateral force of a sideswipe can cause serious harm.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Sudden jolt of side impact causes severe neck strain and soft tissue damage
Shoulder, Arm and Wrist Injuries
Impact side of body absorbs the most force, leading to fractures and dislocations
Head strikes the side window or occupant is thrown inside the vehicle
Broken Ribs and Chest Injuries
Contact with the door panel causes rib fractures and internal bruising
Spinal Cord Injuries
Herniated discs, compression fractures, and nerve damage from lateral force
Cuts and Lacerations
Shattered glass from side windows causes deep cuts requiring stitches or surgery
Soft Tissue Damage
Muscle tears, ligament sprains, and tendon injuries that may not show for days
PTSD and Emotional Trauma
Anxiety, depression, fear of driving, and sleep disturbances after the accident
Many sideswipe injuries like whiplash, concussions, internal bruising don’t show symptoms for days. See a doctor immediately after any sideswipe accident, even if you feel fine. Your medical records are also critical evidence for your case.
LIABILITY AND FAULT
Who Is at Fault in a Sideswipe
Accident in California?
Insurance companies love to muddy the waters and shift blame. Here’s who can actually be held liable.
The Other Driver
Most sideswipe cases come down to a negligent driver who failed to check mirrors, didn’t signal, or drifted from their lane. If they were texting, speeding, drunk, or otherwise careless, they’re liable for your damages.
Multiple Drivers
Sometimes the driver who hit you was swerving to avoid a third party. In that scenario, multiple drivers could share liability — and you could pursue compensation from all responsible parties.
A Commercial Employer
If a delivery truck, rideshare driver, or commercial vehicle caused your sideswipe, the company that employs them may also be liable under California’s respondeat superior doctrine.
Vehicle or Equipment Manufacturer
Faulty mirrors, malfunctioning blind spot detection, or defective tires can contribute to sideswipes. Product liability may apply in those cases.
What If You Were Partially at Fault?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule under Civil Code §1714. You can still recover compensation even if you share some fault – your award gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Insurance companies will try hard to pin blame on you. An experienced attorney makes sure they don’t succeed.
AFTER THE ACCIDENT
What to Do After a Sideswipe
Car Accident?
The steps you take in the hours and days after a sideswipe can make or break your case.
Get your vehicle out of traffic if it's drivable. Turn on hazard lights. Check yourself and passengers for injuries.
Always get police involved, even if damage looks minor. The police report creates an official record — valuable evidence for your case later.
Go to the ER or urgent care even if you feel fine. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often don't show symptoms right away. Early documentation strengthens your claim.
Photos and video of all vehicles, damage, the road, signals, skid marks, debris. Get the other driver's insurance info, plate number, and contact details. Grab witness names and phone numbers.
The other driver's insurance will contact you fast and try to get you to say something they can use against you. Politely decline and let your attorney handle it.
The earlier we get involved, the more evidence we can preserve and the stronger your case will be. Your consultation is free — call us right away.
YOUR DAMAGES
What Compensation Can You Get
for a Sideswipe Accident?
California law allows victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Here’s what you could recover.
Medical expenses
ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and any future treatment related to the accident.
Lost wages
Income you’ve missed due to injuries, plus future earning capacity if you can’t return to work at the same level.
Property damages
Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and personal belongings damaged in the collision.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for the physical pain you’ve endured and continue to deal with as a result of the sideswipe accident.
Emotional distress
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep problems, and the emotional toll of being in a serious car accident.
Loss of enjoyment
If injuries prevent you from activities you used to enjoy like exercising, playing with your kids, traveling, you deserve compensation for that loss.
CRITICAL DEADLINES
California's Statute of Limitations for
Sideswipe Accident Claims
2
Years for Personal Injury
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
3
Years for Property Damage
Under Section 338, you get three years to file a property damage claim for vehicle repairs or replacement.
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE US
Why Bojat Law Group for Your
Sideswipe Accident Case
Sasha Bojat built Bojat Law Group on a simple promise to clients in Los Angeles — show up, tell the truth, and fight for the result that actually makes you whole. That means real communication, real advocacy, and no shortcuts. Sasha has been recognized by Super Lawyers, earned top ratings on Avvo, and named among the National Trial Lawyers. Those credentials come from years of real results and clients who trust him enough to refer their own family.
For over a decade, our team has helped people pick up the pieces after serious car crashes, including sideswipe collisions that insurers love to downplay as “just a scrape.” We know better. A sideswipe at freeway speed can spin a car into a guardrail, push it into oncoming traffic, or roll it entirely. The injuries that follow are anything but minor, and we treat every case that way. We line up the medical proof, preserve the evidence, and press your claim until the offer matches the harm. When it doesn’t, we’re ready for court. Our resources allow us to litigate against national insurers and large corporate defendants and to stay the course when negotiations stall.
OUR APPROACH
How We Handle Your Sideswipe Case
A methodical, pressure-driven approach designed to get you maximum compensation.
We listen, evaluate your case, and give you an honest assessment — no pressure.
Police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, witness statements, expert analysis.
Strategic demand letters and aggressive negotiation from a position of strength.
Most cases resolve here. We push for maximum value backed by evidence.
If they won't be fair, we fight for you in front of a judge and jury.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Sideswipe Accident FAQ
How much is my sideswipe car accident case worth
There’s no flat number because every crash is different. It depends on what you’re dealing with — how bad the injuries are, how much treatment you need, whether you missed work, and how all of it has changed your day-to-day life. Someone who walked away with a sore neck is in a very different spot than someone who needed shoulder surgery and couldn’t work for three months. We look at the full picture before we ever talk numbers.
Can I file a claim if the other driver left the scene?
Yes. Hit-and-runs happen all the time with sideswipes, especially on the freeway. If the other driver took off, you may still have options through your own insurance under uninsured motorist coverage. Try to remember anything you can about the car — color, make, plate number, even a partial one helps. File a police report right away. From there, an attorney can figure out the best path forward.
What if both drivers were changing lanes at the same time?
This comes up more than you’d think. California is a pure comparative negligence state, so even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your share just gets reduced by whatever percentage of blame falls on you. The key is evidence — dashcam footage, witness statements, lane markings, and the damage pattern on both vehicles all help tell the story of who moved first and who had the right of way.
Do I really need a lawyer for a sideswipe accident?
You don’t have to hire one, but going up against an insurance company on your own usually doesn’t end well. Adjusters are trained to settle fast and settle low. They’ll point to the cosmetic damage on your car and say the crash couldn’t have been that bad. A lawyer who handles these cases knows how to push back, document the full extent of your injuries, and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. At Bojat Law Group, the consultation is free, so there’s no risk in at least finding out where you stand.
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