Who is At-Fault for a Lane Change Auto Accident?

Car accidents happen on a daily basis on California roads. Although liability can easily be established in some collisions, others may require additional investigation by an experienced car accident attorney. One type of motor vehicle accident that may require extensive investigation is a lane change accident. In these types of accidents, typically the motorist who failed to obey the right of way is deemed at-fault. But that isn’t always the case.

What is a Lane Change Accident?

Switching lanes in and of itself is not dangerous. You may change lanes to make your correct turn, to pass a slow car ahead, or to prepare for an upcoming exit. However, in order to do so safely, you must be vigilant to ensure you don’t cut off any cars, and others on the road are aware of your lane change by using your signal.

Unfortunately, not all motorists take these precautions when changing lanes. Failing to change lanes cautiously can result in a serious collision. These types of accidents happen when one driver collides into another while making a lane change. Merging accidents can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• Low visibility
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to check a blind spot

If you are involved in a car accident with a driver who made a reckless lane change, he or she could be at fault for your injuries and property damage. An experienced Orange county sideswipe accident attorney can help you get the full compensation that you deserve.

How to Determine Liability in a Lane Merging Accident

In California, drivers who enter a road or highway must yield the right-of-way to vehicles traveling on that road. When collisions happen while one driver is merging, typically the merging driver is found to be at fault. 

However, in the following scenarios, the merging motorist may not be at fault:

• A merging driver collides with a vehicle that was speeding on the highway. The vehicle’s higher speed would make it harder for the merging driver to determine the amount of time needed to complete a merge. As such, the speeding driver may be held liable for the accident.
• If a merging driver in the inner lane moves to the middle lane, crashing into another driver moving from the outer lane to the middle lane, the merging driver may not be at fault liable for the resulting crash.
• If another driver pulls into the path of a merging driver before they attempt to perform a merge, the crash would take place prior to the merging driver entering the highway, and the merging driver may not be at fault for the accident.
• If a driver already on the highway was distracted, disobeying traffic laws or driving aggressively at the time of the accident, the merging driver may not be at fault for the collision.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in an lane merging accident caused by the negligence of another party, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The Orange County auto accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates advocate for their clients’ full financial recovery through hard work and an aggressive approach.

Our lawyers have experience in specifically handling lane change car accidents. Read about our $1,003,163.44 settlement for a freeway lane change truck accident. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.