A car accident in Queens involving a school bus and two other vehicles left two people with serious injuries on Jan. 15. According to a report in NBC New York which quoted NYPD officials, the accident on the eastbound Nassau Expressway near Van Wyck Expressway began when a 60-year-old driver of an SUV was attempting to merge lanes, and sideswiped the school bus with about 20 students on board.
The vehicles then crashed into a parked vehicle with a 62-year-old man inside who was waiting to pick up a friend from JFK Airport. The two drivers were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, FDNY officials said. Students and others involved in the incident declined medical attention, according to authorities. The investigation is ongoing.
Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents typically occur when two vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes hit each other along their sides. Several factors can contribute to sideswipe accidents, including:
- Driver inattention or distraction: When drivers are not paying attention to the road or are distracted by activities such as texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio, they may unintentionally drift into adjacent lanes, leading to sideswipe collisions.
- Lane changing without checking blind spots: Drivers who change lanes without properly checking their blind spots may not be aware of nearby vehicles. This can result in unintentional sideswiping when the changing vehicle merges into the path of another.
- Reckless or aggressive driving: Aggressive maneuvers, such as sudden lane changes or weaving in and out of traffic, increase the risk of sideswipe accidents. Reckless driving behaviors reduce the margin of error for both the aggressive driver and others on the road.
- Fatigue or drowsy driving: Tired or drowsy drivers may have reduced reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more prone to drifting into adjacent lanes and causing sideswipe collisions.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s coordination, perception, and decision-making abilities, leading to erratic lane changes and sideswipe accidents.
- Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or ice can make roads slippery, increasing the likelihood of sideswipe accidents if drivers do not slow down and allow more room between their car and the vehicle in front of them.
- Malfunctioning vehicle equipment: Mechanical issues or malfunctions, such as a sudden loss of steering control, can contribute to sideswipe accidents.
Injuries in Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents can result in a range of injuries, varying from minor to severe, depending on the speed of the vehicles involved and the angle of impact. Common injuries include soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, as the sudden lateral movement can cause the neck and spine to twist unnaturally.
Occupants may also experience contusions, abrasions, or fractures, particularly if the collision leads to the vehicle veering off the road or striking another object. In more severe cases, sideswipes can cause head injuries, concussions, or traumatic brain injuries.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Victims injured in an auto accident may seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus/auto accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/two-seriously-injuried-in-accident-involving-school-bus-on-nassau-expressway-fdny/5041021/