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Sideswipe Accidents in Virginia - GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  Sideswipe Accidents in Virginia A sideswipe accident can happen in a matter of seconds when one vehicle drifts just a few inches into an adjacent lane, changing lives in an instant.
• 0:09
  On busy Virginia roads like Route 17 in Gloucester County, these collisions can push vehicles off the pavement or into surrounding traffic, turning a minor drift into a catastrophic crash.
• 0:20
  Virginia law does not create a separate offense called a sideswipe, so liability typically depends on whether a driver violated lane-use rules under Virginia Code Section 46.2-804.
• 0:31
  Physical evidence like paint transfer, scrape marks, mirror debris, and roadway patterns plays a crucial role in showing which driver crossed out of their established lane.
• 0:40
  Dash camera recordings, surveillance footage, witness statements, and the investigating officer's observations can all help paint a clearer picture of exactly how the collision unfolded.
• 0:51
  Virginia follows the strict rule of contributory negligence, meaning that if an injured person's own actions contributed to causing the crash, they may be completely barred from recovering any compensation.
• 1:01
  Because this rule can eliminate an injured person's right to recover entirely, the evidence showing where each vehicle was positioned and how the crash occurred becomes absolutely critical to the case.
• 1:11
  Sideswipe crashes commonly cause injuries to the shoulder, arm, hip, head, and neck, as the force of impact pushes occupants against doors, windows, and other interior surfaces.
• 1:23
  Some injuries, including concussions, disc damage, and internal trauma, may not become fully apparent until hours or days after the collision, making prompt medical evaluation essential.
• 1:34
  Under Virginia Code Section 46.2-894, any driver involved in a crash causing injury or property damage must stop, provide identifying information, and offer reasonable assistance to anyone hurt.
• 1:47
  Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or significant property damage can be charged as a Class 5 felony, adding serious criminal consequences on top of the civil liability.
• 1:57
  A reckless driving citation issued after a sideswipe collision can influence an injury claim, though it does not establish civil liability on its own without supporting evidence.
• 2:07
  An attorney at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys investigates how each collision happened, gathers available evidence, and handles the insurance companies so injured clients can focus on healing.
• 2:18
  The experienced lawyer at this law firm, serving Gloucester County and the surrounding Virginia region, is prepared to pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• 2:29
  If you or someone you love was injured in a sideswipe crash, contact GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, located at 4073 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Hayes, VA 23072, United States, by calling 804, 413, 6777 to schedule your free consultation today.