When a motorist veers into another lane without signaling properly or paying attention to their surroundings, their actions can result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), over 3,700 people died as a result of unsafe lane changes in 2018, accounting for 7.2% of all fatal accidents.
If you suffered injuries or losses as a result of someone else’s negligent lane change, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Learn how a car accidents caused by an unsafe lane change lawyer can help you understand your legal rights by calling Ben Crump Law, PLLC. You can begin a free case review today when you dial (844) 730-0233.
Many Factors May Result in an Unsafe Lane Change
Motorists can prevent accidents caused by unsafe lane changes by upholding their legal duty of care. All drivers must signal when merging lanes or check for other motorists before performing this maneuver. When one vehicle “sideswipes” another vehicle as a result of an unsafe lane change, there may be several contributing factors that result in an accident.
This can include:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued (also known as drowsy driving)
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving recklessly or aggressively
- Failing to signal before merging
- Failing to check blind spots prior to making a lane change
- Poor weather conditions
- Dangerous or hazardous conditions on a roadway (such as potholes, construction, or debris)
Whatever the cause of the unsafe lane change, your legal team can determine fault and liability for your resulting losses. In some circumstances, drivers may quickly swerve into another lane to prevent an accident from occurring, only to strike another vehicle in the process. In those cases, an investigation may provide further insight into who can be held accountable for your expenses.
Your legal team can help you navigate the process of proving fault and liability for your accident. When you call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today, we can explain how a car accidents caused by an unsafe lane change lawyer can help you determine and prove liability in your car accident case.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Unsafe Lane Changes
Every car accident will have its own set of unique facts and circumstances. Unsafe lane changes can involve multiple vehicles, depending on your situation and its outcome.
You or a loved one may have suffered any one of the following car accident-related injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions or brain bleeds
- Spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones and/or fractured bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Aortic dissection
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ injuries or bleeding
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
You should always seek immediate medical care if you suffered any kind of injury in a car accident. If you have not already done so, you should make an appointment to see a health care provider as soon as possible. This is not only important for your own health, but it will also help you establish a foundation for your personal injury case.
Additionally, if you notice that any of your health conditions change, worsen, or new symptoms appear, you should revisit your medical care team as soon as possible.
Establishing Negligence in a Car Accident Case
As the injured party, it is your responsibility to establish how another driver’s actions resulted in your injuries and financial losses. Your lawyer can determine how negligence contributed to your expenses and build a case in accordance with the American Bar Association’s guidelines.
With the help of a car accidents caused by an unsafe lane change lawyer, you can develop a personal injury case that establishes:
Duty of Care
Every motorist on today’s streets has a civil obligation to drive their vehicles with care. When they fail to uphold this obligation, they can be held financially accountable or any losses that arise due to their actions.
Breach of Duty of Care
Your lawyer must prove that the at-fault party failed to uphold their duty of care. For instance, if another driver drifted into your lane without signaling, this constitutes a breach of their duty of care. Your legal team must also prove that the at-fault party did not act the same way that a reasonable person in the same situation would have.
Causation
You must establish that because the at-fault party breached their duty of care, their actions resulted in the collision that harmed you. Your lawyer can assemble various pieces of evidence to make this assertion, including traffic camera footage, the crash report, and eyewitness statements.
Damages
Finally, your lawyer must assert that you have financial losses stemming from the crash. Your medical bills, lost income, and property damage receipts can demonstrate the financial impact of your accident.
When you call the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, a member of our team can explain the measures that go into proving negligence. Our goal is to help you recover the cost of your collision-related damages and hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions.
Learn How a Car Accidents Caused by an Unsafe Lane Change Lawyer Can Help You Today
If you suffered injuries and losses as a result of a negligent driver making an unsafe lane change, you may have the right to receive compensation for your various expenses. Learn more about your legal rights by contacting Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233. A car accidents caused by an unsafe lane change lawyer can help protect your legal rights.