Sideswipe accidents can be common throughout Harrisburg and the surrounding communities as a result of the region’s congested highways, tight merges, and complex traffic patterns. Crashes frequently occur where two lanes run closely together or where drivers must merge quickly – such as along I-83 near the 2nd Street split, the narrow sections of I-81, the busy industrial traffic corridors on Cameron Street, and the multi-lane stretches of Front Street near the Harvey Taylor Bridge. Although these collisions might initially appear minor, sideswipe accidents often involve substantial forces that can destabilize a vehicle, push it into another lane, or cause a chain reaction that results in severe injuries.
Determining who is liable requires a careful investigation. Pennsylvania law recognizes that more than one party may be responsible, and identifying all sources of liability can significantly impact the total compensation available to an injured victim. Below is a comprehensive overview of the parties who may bear responsibility and the factors that may contribute to help prove who may be at fault.
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Common Causes of Sideswipe Accidents in Harrisburg
Most sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle enters another’s lane, often after drifting, merging without sufficient clearance, or making an abrupt maneuver. In Harrisburg, these incidents occur in areas with heavy traffic volume or frequent lane changes. Drivers merging onto I-83 South, navigating the tight curves near the Harvey Taylor Bridge, or shifting lanes on the busy lengths of Cameron Street, Front Street, or Paxton Street regularly encounter situations that demand quick judgment and heightened awareness. Unfortunately, distraction, speeding, and aggressive driving often create the perfect conditions for a sideswipe collision.
As these accidents rely heavily on witness accounts, video footage, and vehicle positioning, it’s important to understand the various parties who may hold legal responsibility.
Who May Be Liable for a Sideswipe Accident?
1. The Other Driver
In many cases, the driver who drifted or merged improperly is the primary liable party. These collisions frequently happen when a driver fails to check mirrors, ignores blind spots, or passes another vehicle without maintaining safe lane discipline. Distracted driving is also a major contributor. In the Harrisburg area, where stop-and-go traffic is common on I-81, Route 322, and the commuter routes toward Colonial Park and Paxton Township, even a momentary glance at a phone can cause a vehicle to veer and make contact with a neighboring lane.
A driver may also be liable if they were speeding, impaired, fatigued, or recklessly weaving through traffic—all conduct that demonstrates a clear breach of Pennsylvania’s safe-driving laws.
2. You (to the Extent of Comparative Negligence)
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. That means even if the other driver caused the sideswipe, the insurance company may argue that you share a portion of the blame. They may claim that you failed to maintain a proper lookout, could have taken evasive action, or were traveling too fast for conditions. These arguments are common in sideswipe cases because the point of impact is not always as clear as in other types of collisions.
Schmidt Kramer’s legal team works to counter these tactics by presenting clear evidence of lane position, traffic flow, and driver behavior leading up to the crash.
3. Commercial Vehicle Companies
Harrisburg’s heavy commercial traffic—especially around Industrial Road, Cameron Street, Linglestown Road, and the I-81/Route 22 interchange—means many sideswipe accidents involve trucks, delivery vans, or buses. When a commercial driver causes a crash, the company that employs or contracts with that driver may also be liable.
Liability can arise if the company failed to train the driver, imposed unsafe delivery deadlines, allowed the driver to exceed hours-of-service rules, ignored the driver’s poor safety history, or failed to maintain essential safety features like mirrors and blind-spot monitoring systems. Trucking companies often have significant insurance limits, making it critical to include them when appropriate.
4. Government Entities
In certain situations, roadway design or maintenance issues may play a role. If lane markings were faded, construction zones were poorly managed, traffic signals malfunctioned, or lanes were unusually narrow, the agency responsible for maintaining that roadway may share liability. This includes PennDOT and local municipalities.
Problematic areas in Harrisburg include sections of Front Street, Harvey Taylor Bridge, Paxton Street near the mall and distribution centers, and the construction zones along I-81 near Progress Avenue. Claims involving government entities are subject to special notice requirements and shortened deadlines, so acting quickly is essential.
5. Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
Some sideswipe crashes can be traced to mechanical or technological failures. Modern vehicles rely heavily on lane-assist features, blind-spot sensors, and electronic steering components. If any of these systems malfunctioned—such as a blind-spot monitor that failed to warn the driver or a steering defect that caused drifting—the manufacturer or parts supplier may be partially or fully responsible.
6. Phantom or Third-Party Drivers
Not every driver involved in a sideswipe collision stays at the scene. In some cases, another driver may have caused the event by cutting off a vehicle, swerving into a lane, or braking suddenly, causing the impacted driver to move into the victim’s lane. Even if this third vehicle never made physical contact, it may still be responsible.
Many people recover compensation for these “phantom vehicle” cases through their own uninsured motorist coverage, and Schmidt Kramer regularly helps victims navigate these claims.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Sideswipe Accidents
Despite the seemingly glancing nature of the collision, sideswipes can cause dangerous rotational forces on the body. Victims may suffer:
- Neck and spine injuries, including whiplash, disc herniations, and chronic cervical pain
- Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or joint damage from bracing on impact
- Head injuries, including concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and visual disturbances
- Torso injuries, including rib fractures, lung contusions, and internal organ trauma
- Lower-body injuries, such as knee ligament tears, hip injuries, or foot and ankle trauma
- Psychological injuries, including PTSD, anxiety, and ongoing driving fear
Symptoms often worsen over days or weeks, which is why immediate medical care – and detailed medical documentation – is so important in establishing the long-term effects of the crash.
How Liability Is Proven in a Sideswipe Accident
Determining fault typically requires an in-depth review of the conditions surrounding the crash. Evidence may include:
- Police reports, particularly for accidents occurring on major highways
- Traffic camera footage from areas like Cameron Street, Front Street, and I-83 interchanges
- Dashcam recordings
- Black-box data from commercial vehicles
- Crash reconstruction analysis
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage patterns showing lane positions
- Phone records indicating distraction
- Roadway condition assessments
Schmidt Kramer’s team has extensive experience securing and preserving this evidence quickly so that insurers cannot shift blame or downplay liability.
Compensation Available to Sideswipe Accident Victims
Victims of sideswipe collisions may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses, including medical bills, future treatment needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and diminished quality of life. In severe cases, families may pursue wrongful death benefits.
Because Pennsylvania insurance rules can be complex—particularly regarding limited tort vs. full tort, UM/UIM coverage, and commercial insurance layers—working with an experienced attorney can significantly influence the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sideswipe Accidents in Harrisburg
Who can be held liable for a sideswipe accident in Harrisburg?
Liability for a sideswipe accident in Harrisburg depends on what caused the vehicles to make contact and whether any traffic laws were violated. In many cases, the driver who drifted or merged without sufficient clearance is primarily at fault, especially if he or she failed to check mirrors, ignored blind spots, or changed lanes without signaling. However, other parties may share responsibility. A commercial trucking or delivery company could be liable if the crash involved one of its vehicles and there is evidence of poor training, unsafe scheduling, or lack of maintenance. In some situations, a government entity may be partly responsible if dangerous road design, faded lane markings, or poorly managed construction contributed to the collision. Vehicle or parts manufacturers could also be liable if a steering defect, lane-assist failure, or blind-spot monitoring problem played a role in the crash.
Are sideswipe accidents always the fault of the driver who changed lanes?
No, sideswipe accidents are not automatically the fault of the driver who changed lanes. While the merging or drifting driver is often the primary at-fault party, Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence system allows fault to be shared between multiple drivers. For example, the other driver may have been speeding, following too closely, or driving while distracted at the time of the impact. A third driver may have cut off one of the vehicles and then driven away, creating a chain of events that led to the sideswipe. In commercial-vehicle cases, the employer may also bear responsibility if its policies or lack of training contributed to unsafe driving. Each collision must be evaluated based on the specific facts, including lane positions, traffic flow, and driver behavior.
What should I do after a sideswipe crash in Harrisburg?
After a sideswipe crash in Harrisburg, your first priority should be safety and medical care. Call 911 to report the collision and request emergency assistance if anyone is injured. Even if you feel only minor pain or stiffness, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional, as many injuries worsen over the following hours or days. When it is safe to do so, try to document the scene by taking photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, lane positions, nearby traffic signs, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. You should also obtain a copy of the police report once it is available. Avoid making statements about fault to the other driver or the insurance company, and before providing a recorded statement, consider speaking with an experienced auto accident lawyer at Schmidt Kramer to protect your rights.
What injuries are common in sideswipe collisions?
Sideswipe collisions may look like minor “glancing blows,” but they can cause significant injuries due to the twisting and lateral forces placed on occupants. Common injuries include neck and spine trauma, such as whiplash, herniated discs, and chronic cervical pain. Many victims also experience shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears or joint damage from bracing during impact. Head injuries are another concern and may range from concussions to more serious traumatic brain injuries, which can affect memory, balance, and concentration. Torso injuries, such as rib fractures, lung contusions, and internal organ damage, may occur if the body strikes interior surfaces of the vehicle. Lower-body injuries affecting the knees, hips, feet, and ankles are also frequently reported. In addition, sideswipe victims often experience psychological injuries, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and fear of driving. Prompt medical care and thorough documentation are critical for both health and legal reasons.
How can a lawyer help after a sideswipe accident?
A lawyer can play a vital role in protecting your interests after a sideswipe accident. The legal team at Schmidt Kramer can investigate how the crash occurred, gather and preserve evidence such as police reports, traffic-camera or dashcam footage, black-box data, and witness statements, and identify every party who may be liable, from negligent drivers and commercial carriers to government entities and manufacturers. An attorney can also handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies, helping to prevent adjusters from minimizing your injuries or shifting blame onto you. In addition, your lawyer can work with your medical providers to understand the full impact of your injuries and pursue compensation for medical bills, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses. Schmidt Kramer offers free consultations and charges no upfront fees, so you can get experienced guidance without additional financial strain.
Contact Schmidt Kramer Today
If you or a family member were injured in a sideswipe crash in the greater Harrisburg area, legal help is available. At Schmidt Kramer, our auto accident lawyers understand the complexities of these crashes and the challenges victims may potentially face after the event. Contact our team today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
FREE Case Review – Phone: 717-888-8888