A lot of folks have encountered this situation on the road. They’re driving along, and suddenly, a car veers into their lane. No warning, no blinker, nothing at all. This is called an improper lane change, and it’s very dangerous. Why is it so risky? Because cars have a blind spot. This is where your range of vision is limited, and if you make a sudden lane change without taking proper precautions, you could cause a serious car accident and may wind up in the hospital with an injury.
Improper lane changes are a leading cause of car accidents, often resulting in serious injuries and significant property damage. If you’ve been injured in a crash, we can help you collect the financial compensation you may be entitled to. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can evaluate your case and determine your best legal options for recovering damages. Call us today at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation.
What Is Considered an Improper Lane Change?
An improper lane change occurs when a driver shifts from one lane to another without following the proper procedures or paying attention to other road users. These procedures generally include using turn signals to indicate the intention to change lanes, checking blind spots to ensure no vehicles are present, and ensuring the lane change is done safely. An improper lane change is typically considered negligent. It can contribute to car accidents, especially if the driver does not give the right of way or fails to notice another vehicle already occupying the lane.
Several common behaviors lead to improper lane changes:
- Failing to signal: Not using the turn signal to indicate the lane change is a violation of traffic laws and can confuse other drivers.
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots: Failing to check the area behind and beside the vehicle before moving into another lane can result in collisions with cars in the adjacent lane.
- Cutting off other drivers: Swerving into a lane too quickly or without enough space can force another driver to brake suddenly or swerve to avoid a crash.
- Not yielding to other vehicles: A driver may not yield the right of way when changing lanes, resulting in accidents, particularly when merging onto highways or into lanes with heavy traffic.
When these actions occur and result in a collision, the driver who performed the improper lane change is often considered at fault.
How Does an Improper Lane Change Contribute to Car Accidents?
An improper lane change is a leading cause of car accidents because it disrupts the flow of traffic and creates an unexpected hazard for other drivers. When a driver changes lanes improperly, they can cause several types of accidents, including:
- Side-impact collisions: When a driver swerves into another vehicle’s lane without checking, they can cause a side-impact (T-bone) crash. These accidents are especially dangerous if they occur at high speeds or if one vehicle strikes another on the driver or passenger side.
- Rear-end collisions: If a driver suddenly changes lanes and forces another vehicle to brake sharply, the vehicle behind may not have enough time to react, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Loss of control: Abrupt lane changes can startle other drivers, causing them to lose control of their vehicle, particularly if the road is slippery or the driver is distracted. This can result in multi-car pileups or accidents involving roadside objects or barriers.
The improper lane change itself is a form of reckless driving and demonstrates a failure to operate the vehicle with due care. Drivers who fail to follow traffic rules while changing lanes are often held responsible for accidents caused by their actions.
How Do You Prove an Improper Lane Change Caused the Crash?
Proving fault in a car accident caused by an improper lane change involves gathering evidence that demonstrates the driver’s failure to follow traffic laws or act with reasonable care. Several types of evidence can help establish fault:
- Witness testimony: Eyewitnesses who saw the lane change take place can provide critical information about the events leading up to the accident. They may be able to confirm that the driver failed to signal, cut off another vehicle, or changed lanes unsafely.
- Traffic camera footage: In some areas, traffic cameras may have captured the accident, showing the improper lane change and helping establish who was at fault.
- Police report: The responding officer will typically investigate the accident scene and determine fault. If the officer notes that the driver was cited for an improper lane change, this can strengthen the case for proving negligence.
- Vehicle damage analysis: The type and location of vehicle damage can provide clues about the point of impact. For example, if a vehicle has damage to the side that faces another car’s front end, this suggests that one car swerved into the other’s lane.
- Driving records: If the at-fault driver has a history of traffic violations or accidents, this may demonstrate a pattern of reckless driving behavior and help establish negligence.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help collect this evidence and work with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case that the improper lane change caused the accident.
What Are the Potential Legal Consequences of an Improper Lane Change?
If an improper lane change causes a car accident, the driver responsible can face serious legal consequences. The driver may be cited for violating traffic laws, such as failing to signal, making an unsafe lane change, or failing to yield the right of way. Depending on the severity of the accident, these violations can result in fines, points on the driver’s license, or even license suspension in cases of repeated offenses.
In addition to traffic violations, the at-fault driver can also be held liable for the damages caused by the accident. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for any injuries sustained by the other driver, passengers, or pedestrians.
- Property damage: Payment for the repair or replacement of the damaged vehicles or other property involved in the crash.
- Lost wages: If the accident causes the victim to miss work, they may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
In cases where the accident results in severe injuries or fatalities, the at-fault driver could also face significant civil lawsuits for compensation, including punitive damages in particularly egregious cases.
How Can Your Law Firm Help?
Many improper lane change car accidents are caused by a vehicle driver not using the blinker before the lane change. To avoid liability in car accidents of this type, use your blinker and take a quick look over your shoulder. Don’t rely solely on your rearview mirror because the blind spot can also cause many accidents.
If you’ve suffered an accident where the other driver made an improper lane change, do not delay contacting Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to speak with one of our skilled car accident attorneys. We will evaluate your case and determine your best legal options for recovering damages caused by the accident.
Call us at 833-997-1774 to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.