New London Sideswipe Accident Lawyer
When someone else moves into your lane, they could easily cause a collision or damage your car. A New London sideswipe accident lawyer can provide information about how fault may be apportioned when vehicles collide while changing lanes.
At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law, we advocate for those who have questions about liability and recovery after crashes that last seconds but result in devastating consequences that persist for years.
Talk to a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer
Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law has represented clients with motor vehicle injuries and contested liability for more than 80 years. Our firm includes Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent recipients, and Best Lawyers selected attorneys. Our New London personal injury lawyers understand how difficult your questions can be after a collision. Our knowledge of roadway actions and insurance positioning can help our clients.
Lane Changes and Disputes Over Responsibility
Fault in intersection and sideswipe collisions is frequently based on which driver moved out of their lane of travel. Adjusters and police will often ask about whether a motorist used a turn signal, how long it was on, the distance of traffic, and whether a lane change was possible. Contested cases may raise the accuracy of objective information like video, vehicle telemetry, or witnesses. This evidence can be considered in the apportionment of fault.
Side swipe collisions can cause injury even if the vehicles remain moving after the contact. Neck or back strain is a possibility if a car is pushed laterally or shoved toward another object. There can be further injury in some cases if the driver overcompensates. It’s often a documentable issue, as symptoms may take time to develop, which is why some individuals choose to seek medical evaluation.
Professionals can also examine the location of each car before the crash to determine speeds and the ability to avoid a collision. The investigation may be able to determine whether a driver made a proper observation while moving lanes.
Patterns of Damage in Sideswipe Collisions
Surface markings can provide clues about the order of contact. Scratching may be visible where the initial contact started and may illustrate how it progressed from panel to panel. Marks may fan out or narrow as they travel across a vehicle. Damage near a rear wheel can also suggest a direction of travel.
Damage located primarily towards the front quarter may tell a different story. Paint transfer, rubber marks, and mirror hits may also assist with alignment. Photos taken immediately after the impact can be extremely helpful when drivers or other investigators document information that is removed or altered during repair. Reconstruction professionals rely on these indicators to assess damage.
Sometimes, it is not immediately clear that a sideswipe accident has occurred. At highway speeds, a light tap can be mistaken for road rumble or a wind gust. The driver may not find out until after parking at a later stop. That delayed discovery may affect an insurer’s view of reporting deadlines and evidence collection after a claim is opened.
Weather can play a factor in the progression of a sideswipe accident by limiting visibility and a driver’s ability to judge spacing. Rain or ice can also influence how a vehicle reacts in the vehicle’s reaction after impact. Insurers often review this during the claims process to determine if conditions changed the reasonableness of actions taken.
Comparative Fault in Changing Lane Accidents
Connecticut is a modified comparative negligence jurisdiction, so liability can reduce recovery when more than one party played a role in causing the accident. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h provides that the finder of fact can determine percentages of fault based on the conduct of each driver.
Both sides of a sideswipe accident might argue that evasive maneuvers could have been taken, that speed was or was not reasonable, or that someone was paying attention to something other than the road. Negotiations may be influenced by even minor allocations, so a thorough analysis of conduct is critical.
Statutes Governing Passing and Lane Use
Drivers who were traveling on roads with multiple lanes, such as I-95, Bank Street, or Jefferson Avenue, may have been uncertain about which lane was correct during changing traffic patterns. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-236 directs operators of vehicles to keep in the same lane of traffic while driving on highways, unless the way is clearly safe, a determination that must be based on a proper signaling device.
If the stories differ, insurance companies and judges frequently use this mandated standard of care to consider if the lane change was lawful at the time of the accident.
Frequency of Motor Vehicle Crashes in Connecticut
Car accidents and truck collisions occur every day throughout the state, resulting in repeated decisions about fault and roadway behavior. State traffic data shows that 83,750 accidents occurred in Connecticut in 2025. These crashes involved 156,647 vehicles and 200,650 people.
About 1,476 of those vehicles were involved in a collision with a large truck in 2025. At that level of activity, insurance companies and courts have frequent disputes in which drivers disagree about who swerved or failed to maintain a lane of travel.
Drivers who bring such claims may have to be evaluated through a comparison of their statements to roadway markings, vehicle damage, and other objective evidence. The large number of accidents throughout the state helps to explain the common use of standardized investigative techniques when fault is in dispute.
Can Commercial Vehicles Be Part of Sideswipe Crashes?
Sideswipe crashes may also include trucks, buses, or delivery vehicles that use the same lanes as passenger cars. The issues of size, braking distance, and sight lines can influence the determination of responsibility. A commercial operator involved in the claim may require the investigator to consider additional material other than what is typically found in a private automobile claim.
When commercial vehicles are involved, victims may run into issues of determining liability. For this reason and to help you navigate other legal complexities, you need a skilled legal professional on your side.
Hire a Sideswipe Accident Lawyer
Sideswipe accidents can create long-term problems with regard to injuries, vehicle damage, and financial liability. Determining where those factors fall can hinge on an analysis of the available evidence, roadway rules, and insurance requirements.
Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law advocate for individuals in the New London area who want a better understanding of how these claims may proceed and what factors could be relevant to recovery. If you have been involved in a sideswipe accident in or near New London, our experienced team can help you. Book a consultation to hire a sideswipe accident lawyer today.
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