Sideswipe Accident Attorney in St. Louis

Bright cherry red pickup truck that's been sideswiped by white vehicle.

Sideswipe car accidents in St. Louis can leave lasting effects on victims. When two vehicles make contact while traveling in the same direction, often as one driver changes lanes or misjudges spacing, this is known as a sideswipe car accident. Often triggering secondary collisions, sideswipe crashes can cause serious harm.

In cases involving sideswipe collisions, who’s at fault isn’t always immediately apparent, making it critical to have an attorney on your side with experience handling complex sideswipe accident claims. If you’re looking for a sideswipe car accident lawyer in St. Louis, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, are ready to guide you through the legal process and pursue the compensation you need.

Choosing the Right Attorneys for a Sideswipe Accident

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a sideswipe accident, you want legal support to handle your case with care and commitment. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, our car accident attorneys understand the challenges injured victims face. With decades of experience, we have extensive familiarity with Missouri traffic laws and are deeply committed to advocating for accident victims throughout the St. Louis area.

Our goal is to give every client the attention and dedication they deserve. We fight hard to hold responsible parties accountable and don’t simply settle for lowball offers. Instead, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, making it clear to the insurance company that we’re serious about obtaining fair compensation.

We’re here to guide you through every step of the process and to fight for what you deserve. Here’s what one of our clients, James K., said about his experience with us:

“David Craig and his team handled a complex accident case involving three of my family members. They treated my family with great care and compassion and ultimately brought the case to mediation and settlement. We were well prepared through each phase of the process by Mr. Craig and others at this law firm. They performed a comprehensive investigation and strategically pursued a fair compensation for my family.”

What Is a Sideswipe Car Accident?

A sideswipe car accident happens when one vehicle makes contact with the side of another vehicle while both are moving in the same direction. These accidents often occur when one driver fails to check their blind spot or drifts into another lane. Sometimes, sideswipes happen because of distractions, misjudgment of distance, or aggressive driving.

Even a relatively light sideswipe can have dangerous consequences, potentially causing the driver of the hit vehicle to lose control or swerve into another lane.

While some sideswipe accidents result in only property damage, many lead to severe injuries. It’s important to seek help from a sideswipe car accident lawyer who knows how to handle these cases and can work to establish who’s at fault.

Common Injuries from St. Louis Sideswipe Accidents

Injuries from sideswipe auto accidents can range from relatively minor scrapes and bruises to severe, life-altering conditions. Some of the most common serious injuries in these accidents include:

Whiplash and neck injuries – Even in low-speed sideswipe accidents, the sudden jolt can cause neck strains or whiplash.
Head injuries – Head injuries can be especially dangerous. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and other head injuries are common in serious sideswipe accidents.
Back and spine injuries – The force of a sideswipe can cause back injuries or even spinal cord damage, which may require extensive treatment.
Broken bones – The forces released in a sideswipe accident frequently cause bone fractures.

These injuries often come with medical bills, time off work, and a lengthy recovery period, making it essential to seek help from an experienced sideswipe car accident lawyer to secure fair compensation.

Determining Fault for a Sideswipe Crash in St. Louis

Determining fault for a sideswipe car accident can be challenging. In most cases, the driver who changes lanes improperly or drifts into another lane is at fault. However, proving this can be difficult, especially if there are no witnesses or clear evidence.

Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, will work hard to gather the necessary information to establish the other driver’s fault. The process can include:

Reviewing traffic camera footage – Many intersections and highways have cameras that may have captured video of the accident.
Examining damage patterns – The location and nature of damage to the vehicles involved can indicate how the accident occurred.
Gathering witness statements – Testimony from witnesses can provide valuable insights into who was responsible.
Reconstructing the accident scene – In some cases, we may work with accident reconstruction experts to clarify the details and gain insight into how the accident transpired.

Establishing fault is essential to securing compensation, and we’re dedicated to collecting all relevant evidence to build a strong case.

Potential Compensation After a Sideswipe Car Crash

After a sideswipe car accident, victims may be eligible for compensation to cover various expenses and losses, including:

Medical expenses – This can include emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and any ongoing care you require.
Lost wages – If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
Reduced earning capacity – You could be entitled to compensation if your injuries prevent you from working a job as well-paid as what you did before the crash.
Pain and suffering – You may also be eligible for compensation for pain, emotional distress, and changes to your quality of life.
Vehicle repair or replacement – If your vehicle sustained damage, you might be able to recover repair costs or, if totaled, the cost of a replacement.

It is crucial to have a St. Louis sideswipe accident lawyer who won’t settle for less than you deserve. Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, will fight for the full, fair compensation you deserve.

How Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

Filing a personal injury case after a sideswipe collision can feel like an overwhelming process. That’s where the team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, steps in. We’re dedicated to helping our clients understand each stage of the process, handling paperwork, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies. From start to finish, we want to make this process as smooth as possible for you while aggressively seeking maximum compensation for you.

Our firm prepares all car accident cases with the intention of taking them to trial, if necessary, to show insurers that we’re serious about fighting for our clients. Our attorneys bring extensive experience to each case, using their knowledge to represent your interests fully and effectively.

If you have been injured in a sideswipe car accident in St. Louis, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, today to set up a free initial consultation with our experienced attorneys and learn more about your legal options.

(314) 367-2661