Improper Lane Change Accidents

When you are driving on a multi-lane road or a highway, you should be able to expect that all drivers will follow the rules of the road and will not behave in a reckless or careless manner. However, car accidents happen with some frequency because other drivers are negligent. Improper lane changes, or unsafe lane changes, are a common cause of motor vehicle crashes. If another driver improperly changed lanes and caused a collision in which you got hurt, it is important to learn more about your options for filing a claim for financial compensation. An experienced improper lane change accidents attorney at Walton Law Firm can begin working on your claim today.

Each state has its own traffic rules, but generally speaking, moving from one lane to another without signaling, or notifying drivers around you that you wish to enter their lane of travel is unlawful. When a vehicle does change lanes improperly or in an unsafe manner, the driver can be liable for a resulting car crash.

For example, under California law (Vehicle Code § 22107), “no person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal . . . in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.”

In other words, drivers cannot change lanes until it is reasonably safe to do so, and they must use a turn signal to alert other drivers. Changing lanes without following these rules can result in a crash in which the driver who changed lanes is responsible for injuries.

Unsafe lane change accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to the following:

• Driver is in a rush and recklessly cuts in front of another vehicle;
• Impaired driving, including drunk driving or drugged driving;
• Drowsy driving; and/or
• Distracted driving, which may involve a driver who is looking down at a smartphone to send or read a text.

There may be other causes of improper lane change accidents. Your car accident lawyer can speak with you about which party may be liable for your injuries depending upon the facts of your case.

Many people who are injured in improper lane change accidents begin by filing an auto insurance claim. If an auto insurance claim does not result in a fair settlement, the injured person can file a lawsuit to seek compensation. It is important to consider the statute of limitations, which restricts the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit. Under California law, for example, anyone injured in an improper lane change crash typically has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

Were you injured in an accident caused by an improper lane change or an unsafe lane change? It is important to remember that all drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists on the road, and any type of aggressive or careless driving can result in liability. If you need assistance filing a car crash claim, an experienced improper lane change accident attorney at our firm can help with your case. Contact the Walton Law Firm for more information about the wide variety of car accident cases we handle.