We’ve all heard these three terms used interchangeably and they mean distinct things. A sideswipe describes the
type of contact between two vehicles. A
lane change and a
merge are two of the
maneuvers that cause that contact. Understanding the difference matters, because the maneuver, not the label, is what determines who is at fault and who pays. If you were hit while someone was changing...
read more? In most Florida sideswipe accidents, the driver who left their lane is at fault. Under Florida Statute § 316.085, a driver cannot move out of their lane until they have confirmed the move can be "completely made with safety." When a driver changes lanes, merges, or drifts into another vehicle, that violation is strong evidence they caused the crash. But fault in a sideswipe is rarely as...
read more? Nothing up front. The Ruth Law Team works on a contingency fee, meaning you pay no attorney's fee unless and until we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.
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read more? Most sideswipe claims settle without a trial. But The Ruth Law Team prepares every case as if it will go to court — and insurance companies know it. This trial-ready posture, and the reputation that The Ruth Law Team will pursue a claim to its fullest potential, and do it well, is often what drives a fair settlement offer instead of a lowball one.
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read more? You may still have options.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy or a qualified policy can step in when the at-fault driver has no insurance, too little, or flees the scene in a hit-and-run. Reviewing your policy and finding available coverage is one of the first things we do.
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read more? Yes, for your medical bills — Florida is a no-fault state, so your own
PIP coverage (minimum $10,000) pays a portion of your medical bills and lost wages first, regardless of who caused the crash. To recover beyond those limits, and for pain and suffering, you generally must meet the serious-injury threshold and pursue the at-fault driver.
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read more? Failing to signal before a lane change violates Florida law and is strong evidence of negligence. The challenge is proving it, since the other driver will often deny it. Witness statements, dashcam footage, and nearby surveillance video can be the key to establishing what really happened.
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read more? It depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and the impact on your daily life. Minor cases may settle for a few thousand dollars, while serious-injury cases may reach six or seven figures. Be cautious of early lowball offers from insurance companies. These initial offers rarely reflect the true long-term cost of an injury. A car accident...
read more? You can seek to still recover damages as long as you are found 50% or less at fault. Your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you are found to be at 30% fault on a $50,000 award, your recovery would be reduced by $15,000 or more. If you're found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing, which is exactly why insurers try to shift blame onto you. Solid...
read more? Usually, but not always. The lane-changing or merging driver is presumed at fault under Florida's safe-lane-change law (§ 316.085), because they bear the duty to confirm the move is safe. But evidence can show the other driver also contributed. For example, by speeding, drifting, or moving toward the same lane at the same time. In those cases Florida's comparative negligence rule divides...
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