Pleasantville Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Accidents and injuries can abruptly disrupt lives. During these tough moments, car accident injury lawyers are crucial allies. They fight for those hurt by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article highlights the significant role these lawyers play in helping people manage their claims and rebuilding their lives.

Who is at Fault in a Sideswipe Car Accident?

People have different names for what is commonly called a sideswipe car accident. Generally, a sideswipe means that two or more motor vehicles are traveling in the same direction, and one vehicle strikes another one. Often the accidents occur when one vehicle enters the other vehicle's lane, or both drivers attempt to merge into the same lane. These collisions frequently happen at highway speeds on interstates with two or more lanes of travel. Sideswipe car accidents can be minor with property damage only or devastating if the impact is severe enough and/or one of the drivers loses control of their vehicle. Losing control of a vehicle at highway speed is a very scary situation. The vehicle can go into the ditch and may even roll. Roll-over car crashes cause more deaths and serious injuries than almost any other type of wreck. Wearing your seat-belt is very important if you are involved in a roll-over because, without it, your head may strike the roof causing a devastating spinal cord injury or you may be ejected from the vehicle.

Prevention of Sideswipe Car Accidents

There are several ways to prevent sideswipe car accidents:

1. Check Your Blind Spots: One of the best ways to prevent a sideswipe is to check your mirrors and also look over your shoulder to check your blind spot. Many sideswipes occur when drivers fail to see a vehicle in their blind spot.
   
2. Passing Safely: If you are driving faster than other vehicles, it is always a good idea to pass them in the left-hand fast lane. In many states, it is actually illegal to pass on the right because of the safety concerns it creates. Here in Iowa, our rules of the road in Iowa Code Section 321.299 state that overtaking a vehicle should be done to the left at a safe distance. Passing on the right can be unexpected and result in a serious collision. Therefore, it's advisable to always try to pass on the left.

3. Use of Technology: Many newer cars and trucks have lane change warning systems. These systems use radar to detect vehicles that are in your path on either side of you. Most systems give you a warning light on your mirror so you know there is a vehicle next to you, and some provide audible warnings if you turn on your signal and move toward the vehicle. This technology has prevented hundreds if not thousands of serious car accidents and has probably also saved many lives.

Determining Fault in a Sideswipe Car Accident

Determining fault in a sideswipe car accident is a complex process that usually involves eyewitness testimony from drivers behind the collision who can describe what they saw and heard. Under Iowa law, the concept of comparative fault is applied. This means that the judge or jury will determine the percentage of fault for each driver involved. To recover any damages, you have to prove that the other driver was at least 50% at fault. If you are found to be 20% at fault, then the amount of damages you are able to recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages were found to be $10,000, then you would only be entitled to $8,000.

Iowa Code Section 321.306 outlines the rules for roads laned for traffic, emphasizing that a vehicle should be driven as nearly as possible entirely within a single lane and not moved from the lane until it is safe to do so. Violation of this law is considered negligence.

Dealing with Injuries from Car Accidents

The legs and knees are at risk of injury during a car accident, and the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) may be torn as a result of trauma. An ACL tear can be a debilitating injury, leading to severe pain, loss of motion, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty in walking or moving the leg comfortably. Treatment options include both surgical and nonsurgical methods, with the latter involving braces and physical therapy. Severe ACL injuries may require surgical reconstruction, with recovery times of around six months before returning to regular activities.

Preserving Evidence After an Accident

Preserving evidence is crucial if you plan to file a car accident claim. Here are some steps to ensure your vehicle remains as evidence:

1. Know Where Your Car Is Towed: Immediately find out where your car is being towed. Contact your lawyer to send a preservation letter to the tow yard, requesting that the vehicle remain intact and untouched.

2. Move Your Car to Private Storage: Tow yards often charge high fees and may destroy or scrap a car quickly due to space constraints. Moving your vehicle to a private, covered storage area can prevent this and protect it from vandalism or tampering.

3. Take Photos: Keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment to take pictures of your damaged car, the accident scene, and any other relevant evidence. This can be invaluable if evidence is lost, destroyed, or tampered with.

Seeking Legal Assistance

Seeking legal counsel from experienced Iowa car accident attorneys such as those at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can provide invaluable support in filing insurance claims or pursuing personal injury lawsuits. With a comprehensive understanding of Iowa law, their team can help gather evidence, establish liability, and secure the compensation deserved by accident victims.

Suffering from the aftermath of a car accident shouldn't impede your pursuit of justice and fair compensation. The Iowa injury lawyers at Walker, Billingsley & Bair work hard to level the field between injured Iowans and insurance companies.

That's why we provide this FREE book; The Legal Insider's Guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation. Call 641-792-3595 to order your free accident book today.