Lane Departure Accidents

Lane departure accidents can happen for many different reasons in the North County San Diego area, and they can result in serious and even fatal collisions. Sometimes lane departure crashes in the San Diego area result, for instance, from a driver’s brief distraction behind the wheel, while at other times these collisions happen as a result of impaired driving. According to a report from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation official (AASHTO), about 25,000 motor vehicle fatalities each year result from lane departure accidents, or crashes that happen when one vehicle veers from its lane. Our San Diego car accident lawyers can help victims take action against drivers who make unsafe lane changes.

How do these lane departure accidents happen? As the report clarifies, “in some cases, the vehicle crossed the centerline and was involved in a head-on crash or opposite direction sideswipe,” while “in others, the vehicle left the roadway to roll over or impact one or more natural or man-made objects, such as trees, utility poles, bridge walls, embankments, or guardrails.” Lane departure accidents can happen on highways such as the I-5, SR-78, or the I-15, or they can occur on neighborhood roads. If you or someone you love got hurt in a lane departure accident, you should discuss your case with a North County car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

A fact sheet from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that lane departure crashes are among the most common types of collisions that occur on America’s highways, and they result in about 1.6 million accidents every year. There are many reasons that lane departure accidents occur, including but not limited to the following:

• Distracted driving, including talking on a cell phone or texting while driving;
• Impaired driving, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and
• Drowsy driving, or driving while you are too fatigued to pay proper attention to the road and to the task of driving.

The AAA fact sheet suggests that Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems may be able to prevent lane departure accidents. These systems “alert you whenever you unintentionally drift too close to the edge of the lane.” Depending upon the vehicle manufacturer, LDW system can sound alarms, or they can cause a steering wheel or seat to vibrate (mimicking the sensation of driving over a rumble strip).

While LDW systems are not quite as helpful for city drivers, such as those in downtown San Diego, they do help to reduce the rate of crashes on highways and rural roads. According to AAA, these safety systems may be particularly effective when younger, inexperienced drivers begin drifting from their lane.

Lane departure accidents in the North County San Diego area can be devastating and lead to serious personal injuries. When another party’s negligence causes a lane departure accident, it is important to speak with an injury lawyer to learn more about seeking compensation for your losses. Based in San Marcos, Walton Law Firm has decades of experience representing individuals and families harmed by automobile and motorcycle accident, including those caused by sudden lane departure. To discuss any case with an attorney free of charge, call 760-571-5500 to learn your rights.