This is a guest blog post written by the Law Office of Neil Burns in Boston.
If you would like to speak to an attorney in Seattle, contact Nelson Boyd.
Changing Lanes Without Signals
Car accident, trucking accidents, and other automobile crashes are caused by many different factors. Sometimes it is the fault of a driver, sometimes it is because of road conditions, sometimes the fault may be defects of an automobile, and still other times it can be a combination of any of the above. When the cause of an accident is a driver changing lane without signals, however, the blame can only be driver negligence. Illegal changing lanes, or changing lanes without signaling can cause serious accidents, injuries, or even death. Trucking changing lanes without proper signaling can be even more serious, as any trucking lawyer knows. An 18 wheeler attorney such as Neil Burns is aware of just how catastrophic a car crash can be if a truck driver fails to signal when changing lanes.
What is Considered to be an Illegal Lane Change?
Most people are aware that it is illegal to switch lanes in traffic without signaling…with a blinker…that you are planning to do so. When a driver suddenly moves from one lane to another without giving any indication that they are going so, the drivers behind them have a very hard time adjusting to the change and avoiding an accident. It is also illegal to move partially into another lane and then turn on the turning signal or blinker. It is important for drivers to have their turn signal on long enough for the other drivers to see it and respond accordingly. Signaling in advance is mandatory to avoid car crashes and trucking accidents. Drivers are also not allowed to change lanes into fast moving traffic and then slow down to a pace slower than the traffic. This can also cause traffic accidents with multiple vehicles involved.
Causes of Lane Change Accidents
There are many factors which can cause an automobile accident, including failure to change lanes properly. If a driver fails to look in their mirrors and blind spot before switching lanes, it can cause a lane change accident. Also, when a driver is tired, he or she may drift into another lane without realizing that they are doing so. The same is true when the driver is eating, reading a GPS, using the cell phone, adjusting a radio or CB, or distracted by other means. Weather conditions can cause a driver to be unable to see the lanes clearly, and could cause them to drift into another lane, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can do the same.
Help After a Lane Change Accident
The damages and injuries caused during a lane change accident can be catastrophic, especially if an 18 wheeler was involved. Victims in such accidents are entitled to money damages and compensation for time loss from work, medical bills, and other expenses when the driver who failed to change lanes properly is found negligent. If you or someone that you love has been injured because another driver failed to change lanes properly, give the law offices of Neil Burns a call today at 617-227-7423.
