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Rockford Side Swipe Accident
A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles that are moving in the same or opposite direction collide, with the impact being on the side of one or both vehicles. A sideswipe accident often leads to a more serious collision because one or both drivers overreact or lose control of their vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, 242,000 sideswipe accidents happen each year. Of those accidents, about 27,000 injuries and 2,500 deaths are reported.
Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
While a sideswipe accident is caused when one car veers out of its own lane and into the adjacent lane, the reason for the lane change can vary and include:
- Distracted driving
- Not paying attention
- Driving under the influence
- Objects on the road
- Blindspots
- Road rage or aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
- Poor visibility
- Weather and road conditions
Sideswipe Accident Injuries
It is not necessarily intuitive that such simple accidents can result in severe injuries or even death. Injuries can vary widely depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the crash. Some accidents may not result in any injuries, while others can result in broken bones and even death. In these situations, it is imperative to know and protect your rights. Dealing with other drivers and insurance companies is a difficult and frustrating task, especially when you are trying to heal following an accident.
Compensation
Monetary damages can be awarded if someone is found to be legally responsible for injuring a person. These monetary damages are called compensatory damages or actual damages. The purpose of compensatory damages is to attempt to put the injured person in the position in which he or she would have been had the injury not occurred. These damages may include medical expenses (past and future), pain and suffering (past and future), lost wages (past and future), loss of a normal life, and loss of society. It’s important to keep records of your medical bills and time off from work, as these can help you calculate your actual damages.
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the defendant if his or her conduct was negligent, reckless, or intentional. Punitive damages aren’t recovered for any specific loss. Instead, they are levied against the defendant as punishment to discourage negligence in the future. The court will determine whether to award the plaintiff with punitive damages and how much the award will be. According to Illinois law, punitive damages may only be awarded if actual damages are also awarded.
Illinois Time Limits
Illinois sets a time limit of two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in the state’s civil court system. In most cases, this two-year time limit, known as a “statute of limitations,” begins to run on the date of the accident. Sometimes, however, a statute of limitations might run from the date that you discovered you were injured, rather than the date of the event that injured you. This later date is known as a “discovery date.”
For injury claims against a city or county, you have one year to file a lawsuit. The time limit to sue the state is generally two years, but you must file a formal claim within one year in order to sue.
A qualified personal injury attorney can help guide you through this difficult time and alleviate some of the stress.
Illinois Time Limits on Filing Suit
Illinois sets a time limit of two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in the state’s civil court system. In most cases, this two-year time limit, known as a “statute of limitations,” begins to run on the date of the accident. Sometimes, however, a statute of limitations might run from the date that you discovered you were injured, rather than the date of the event that injured you. This later date is known as a “discovery date.”
For injury claims against a city or county, you have one year to file a lawsuit. The time limit to sue the state is generally two years, but you must file a formal claim within one year in order to sue.
A qualified personal injury attorney can help guide you through this difficult time and alleviate some of the stress.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or involved in a side swipe accident, we are here to help. For a confidential, compassionate, in-depth, free, and, most importantly, thorough consultation with a Rockford Personal Injury Lawyer about your sideswipe auto accident injury case in Rockford, Belvidere, Freeport, Rochelle, Oregon, Loves Park, Byron, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton, or elsewhere in the State of Illinois, call or text message us at (815) 391-0089, or e-mail us 24/7/365. We offer in-office consultations, and routinely make visits to clients’ homes, hospital rooms, nursing homes, and other off-site locations to make retaining our services as easy as possible.