If you or a loved one was injured after another driver’s improper lane change, our Houston lawyers would like to help you recover compensation after your accident. You may be entitled to compensation to help cover damages caused by their negligence, including your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Houston car accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can tell you more about how we can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. By letting us navigate the legal process, you give yourself more time to focus on recuperating from your personal injury.
The Consequences of Improper Lane Change Accidents
After a motor vehicle crash, your life may never be the same as it was before. It is not fair for you to shoulder the burden of your accident alone when someone else’s carelessness is responsible for your needless suffering.
The Houston personal injury lawyers at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you pursue a favorable settlement or jury award based on the monetary value of your:
Economic Damages
Medical bills after a crash can be high because of the:
- Initial doctor or hospital visit,
- Tests your doctors might have needed to run, and
- The physical treatment you received.
However, your medical costs may not end there. Medications, physical therapy, mental health services, and follow-up appointments may all be necessary to restore your health and wellbeing.
In addition to these medical expenses, there is the added economic cost of losing work, lost wages, or reduced earning potential after an accident. Sometimes, a severe injury temporarily or permanently limits your ability to do your job or seek employment in the future. You could recover damages for these losses as well.
Non-economic Damages
Additionally, there is the intangible cost of the pain and suffering you experience after an accident. Physical pain is compounded by the emotional suffering that comes from not being able to go about your day-to-day life or to participate in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy.
Property Damage
A car accident of this type can do serious damage to your vehicle. If your family relies on your car to get to work or school or to perform common chores (e.g., grocery shopping), the cost of this property damage can quickly increase as you:
- Try to find a mechanic who can fix the damage
- Have to rent a car or pay for public transportation
- Buy a new car, if the damage is too extensive to repair
What Is a Fair Settlement After an Improper Lane Change?
All of these consequences can result from an improper lane change car accident. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries, but oftentimes, insurance companies will try to pay out less than what you deserve.
When you want an advocate on your side, you can rely on our law firm to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We can figure out ways for you to recover the right amount of money for your injuries.
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How Our Houston Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You
Loncar Lyon Jenkins takes on many cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we will not charge you for our services unless or until we win compensation for you. There is no risk involved in reaching out to our office to receive a free consultation and learn how a Houston accident caused by improper lane changes lawyer can help you by:
- Collecting medical records, accident reports, and eyewitness testimony in support of your case
- Handling all communications with the at-fault party and their team, including negotiations
- Answering your questions about the case and keeping you updated throughout
- Starting your case virtually, if you are unable to come to our Houston office right away
According to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), unsafe lane changes contributed to 45,833 urban and rural car crashes across the state in 2022. Improper lane changes can result in accidents that cause life-changing injuries for those involved.
If you or a loved one suffered a similar crash, our team can help. We want to see justice done in your case.
What Makes a Lane Change Improper?
According the “Texas Driver Handbook” published by the Texas Department of Public Health (DPS), you should take the following measures to perform a safe lane change:
- Make sure to keep an adequate distance between your vehicle and the cars around you,
- Check all of your mirrors and blind spots before moving,
- Avoid changing lanes if road signs or signals indicate a No Passing Zone, and
- Signal before switching lanes.
Taking these steps to ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers, and others on the road is more than a good idea: it is a duty of care that all drivers owe to their fellow roadway users.
Negligence When Changing Lanes Hurts Drivers
Unfortunately, there are drivers who do not follow these guidelines, leading to reckless driving, crashes, and serious injuries. A lane change is considered improper—and worse, unsafe—if a negligent driver fails to:
- Signal early enough for other drivers to notice and take action
- Maintain a safe speed while executing the lane change
- Perform the lane change efficiently and instead takes a long time or weaves between lanes
- Check for oncoming traffic in both lanes before starting to move
Our improper lane change attorneys will take these and other factors into account when determining negligence and liability in your Houston accident.
Potential Causes of Unsafe Lane Changes
Many circumstances could lead a driver to perform an unsafe lane change, but some contributing factors are as follows.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired drivers are unable to accurately gauge their distance from other cars on the road and have dulled reflexes and motor skills.
- Driving without the proper safety equipment: Failure to have or maintain hardware can lead to unsafe lane changes. For example, a damaged taillight could mean a car’s turn signals do not work. Similarly, a missing side mirror could increase a driver’s blind spots.
- Distracted driving: Texting, messing with the radio, or looking at a GPS can all distract a driver from the road. This makes unsafe lane changes more likely to occur.
- Speeding and road rage: Road rage can cause reckless and fast driving, such as weaving in and out of traffic unsafely.
- Drowsy driving: Drivers who nod off at the wheel or who are having a difficult time staying awake cannot control the direction of their vehicle, potentially leading them to swerve into other lanes of traffic without warning.
Our Houston improper lane change lawyer can establish exactly how your accident occurred. Then, we can confront the insurance company—or the liable party directly, if they are not insured—to fight for the money you need.
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Get Help After an Improper Lane Change Accident From Our Houston Attorneys
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we have been serving injured Texans since 1988, fighting for their rights both at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. When our injury attorneys go to work with you, we put in hard work to make sure your rights are protected, all while giving you the personal attention you are owed in your time of need.
This personal attention is part of the reason over 7,000 clients choose us to represent them every year. Contact us today for a free evaluation and to find out more about the services our Houston improper lane change lawyers can proudly offer.