If you or your loved one was injured by a driver making a dangerous lane change, an Austin car accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins, who handles Austin car accident cases caused by improper lane changes, is here to guide you through the claims process. Contact us at (877) 239-4878 for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that failing to keep in the proper lane and failing to yield the right of way were the third and fourth most common factors cited in accidents. When a driver makes an improper lane change, a nearby driver may not anticipate this action and may wind up a victim in a serious crash caused by the driver changing lanes.
Texas Laws on Changing Lanes That You Should Know About
The Texas Department of Public Safety‘s Texas Driver Handbook provides the following rules regarding lane changes:
- Do not change lanes or turn across double white lines
- Only change lanes if it is safe to do so
- Signal when you are going to change lanes
- Signal continuously for at least 100 feet if you are turning or stopping
- Look behind you and on both sides before changing lanes
- Turn off your signal lights when your turn is completed
If you are entering a highway, you should follow these steps:
- Yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the highway
- Enter the speed change lane
- Stay to the right
- Signal that you are changing lanes to the left
- Get in the lane
- Increase speed to merge with the flow of traffic
If another driver failed to take these precautions and collided with you, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered.
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Your Attorney Will Prove How Your Improper Lane Change Accident Happened
Many improper lane change accidents occur when a driver is moving to another lane and hits a driver who is already legally in that lane. Common reasons for why this type of accident can happen is because the driver changing lanes:
- Did not wait until the lane was clear
- Did not check mirrors and blind spots
- Did not properly signal
- Failed to leave enough distance between vehicles
- Was tired
- Was impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Was distracted by a cell phone or other distraction
- Was driving aggressively without concern for other people’s safety
How We Will Prove Fault in Your Improper Lane Change Accident Occurred
After you report the accident to the other driver’s insurance, an adjuster will begin to look into the underlying causes of the accident. Having evidence of any of the following may help indicate negligence and your right to financial compensation:
- Improper speed based on speed limits or road or weather conditions
- Failure to use turn or arm signals
- Broken or malfunctioning signal lights
- Missing rearview mirror
- Use of a cell phone or other distraction near the time of the accident
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Violations of traffic laws
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence
Our Austin accident lawyer can also conduct an investigation to gather and assemble evidence of the other driver’s improper lane change. This may include:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Video footage from dashcams, traffic cameras, or nearby surveillance cameras
- Eyewitness testimony
- Cell phone records
- Traffic citations
It is the responsibility of the driver changing lanes to do so in a safe manner. The merging driver must wait until it is safe before attempting this maneuver. They must then make sure that nearby drivers are aware of his or her intent by properly signaling.
If there is not enough space for the driver to move to another lane without causing other drivers to have to brake, it is not safe to make the lane change. If a driver still makes this maneuver in an unsafe manner, he or she may be legally liable for the accident and the injuries you (or your family member) suffered.
Our team can review the ways that we can prove how your accident happened. Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins at (877) 239-4878.
Injuries You May Have Suffered in Your Improper Lane Change Crash
Because improper lane changes often occur on highways or other busy roadways, they may involve serious injuries. The greater the speed, the greater likelihood that an accident victim will suffer a serious injury, such as:
- A traumatic brain injury
- A spinal cord injury
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
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Potential Damages You Could Earn in Improper Lane Change Crashes
If you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who made an improper lane change, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. These could include:
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency room visits
- Medical tests
- Assistive devices
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up treatment for your bodily injuries
- Assistive devices
- Medication
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Lost wages you incurred while recovering from the accident
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
To find out about the potential value of your claim, contact our team.
How Our Austin Accident Caused By Improper Lane Changes Lawyers Can Help
Our personal injury car accident lawyers will be with you during every step of your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We can help by:
- Investigating your accident and reviewing the police report
- Uncovering evidence of an improper lane change
- Collecting records that prove the damages you sustained, including medical records and employment records
- Advising you of your rights
- Communicating with the insurance company
- Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf
- Making recommendations about whether or not to settle your claim
- Representing you at trial, if necessary
- Ensuring you meet all applicable deadlines in your case
You Only Have a Limited Amount of Time To Seek Compensation in Your Austin Car Accident
In Texas, the deadline for filing a personal injury case in civil court, including car accident claims, is two years from the accident date. This means that if you are involved in a car accident in Austin, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover damages.
If you miss this deadline, your case could be dismissed, and you will be unable to recover compensation through a legal claim. However, this rule has some exceptions, depending on the situation. Your lawyer will explain the details to you, and they will make sure that all paperwork is filed on time so that you meet all deadlines related to your case.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
If you or a family member was injured by a driver who made an improper lane change, a personal injury lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can assess the viability of your insurance claim. You can speak to a member of our dedicated team by calling (877) 239-4878.
The consultation is free, and we do not charge any attorney’s fees for our services unless we are able to successfully recover compensation for your claim. You have a limited time to act, so do not hesitate to take the steps necessary to protect your legal rights.
