Lane-changing accidents are a common occurrence on California’s busy roadways. With the state’s high traffic volumes, drivers often need to switch lanes to navigate congested areas or reach their destinations more efficiently. However, these maneuvers can lead to accidents, especially when drivers fail to observe traffic laws or exercise proper caution.
An experienced personal injury attorney at a California car accident law firm can determine fault in lane change collisions, prove liability of the negligent motorist, and recover maximum compensation for the injured victims.
California Traffic Laws Regarding Lane Changes
California Vehicle Code (CVC) provides clear guidelines on how drivers should conduct themselves when changing lanes. CVC 22107 states:
“No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this chapter, in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.”
Here’s an explanation of the law in simple words:
Safety as a Priority
- Timing of Lane Change: The law requires that a driver only initiate a lane change when it is entirely safe to do so. This means the driver must first assess the surrounding traffic conditions, including the speed and position of nearby vehicles, before making a move.
- Visibility and Awareness: Drivers are expected to ensure that they have a clear view of all lanes they plan to enter, including checking their mirrors and blind spots. This helps prevent collisions with vehicles that may not be immediately visible in the driver’s standard line of sight.
Obligation to Signal
- Proper Use of Turn Signals: The law mandates that drivers must use their turn signals to indicate their intention to change lanes. This signal must be given well in advance of the actual lane change, providing other drivers with sufficient notice.
- Communicating Intent: Signaling serves as a form of communication with other road users, letting them know that a lane change is imminent. This gives surrounding drivers the opportunity to adjust their speed or position to accommodate the lane change, thereby minimizing the risk of an accident.
Common Scenarios of Lane Change Accidents and Potential Fault
Several scenarios involving unsafe lane changes can lead to accidents, each with its own nuances regarding fault determination.
Merging onto a Highway
When merging onto a highway, the driver entering the highway has the responsibility to yield to the traffic already on the highway. If a driver merges unsafely, without checking blind spots or fails to accelerate adequately to match the speed of the highway traffic, they may be found at fault if an accident occurs.
Switching Lanes in Heavy Traffic
In congested traffic, drivers frequently change lanes to try to move more quickly. However, sudden or unsignaled lane changes can cause collisions, particularly if the driver does not ensure there is enough space to safely move into the new lane. In such cases, the driver changing lanes is typically at fault.
Passing Another Vehicle
When overtaking another vehicle, the passing driver must ensure that the lane is clear and that the maneuver can be completed without causing an accident. If the passing vehicle cuts off the car it overtakes or collides with another vehicle during the lane change, the passing driver may be held liable.
Blind Spot Accidents
A significant number of lane-changing accidents occur because a driver fails to check their blind spot before moving into a new lane. If a driver changes lanes and collides with a vehicle in their blind spot, they are usually at fault for not ensuring the lane was clear before moving.
Legal Criteria Used to Determine Fault in Lane-Changing Accidents in California
Determining California lane change accident fault involves a careful analysis of several key factors:
Violation of Traffic Laws
The California Vehicle Code requires that drivers change lanes safely and with proper signaling. If a driver violates these laws, they are often presumed to be at fault but the car accident lane change liability must be established based on evidence.
Right of Way
Establishing which driver had the right of way is important in lane-changing accident claims. Typically, the driver already in the lane has the right of way and the driver attempting to enter or cross into that lane must yield.
Comparative Negligence
California is a comparative negligence state. When determining who is responsible in a lane change car accident, sometimes multiple parties may be found liable. If both drivers contributed to the accident, fault may be apportioned between them based on their degree of negligence.
The Role of Evidence in Lane-Changing Car Accident Claims
In any lane-changing car accident claim, evidence plays a critical role in proving the liability of the negligent driver for making an unsafe lane change. Evidence can include police reports, traffic camera footage, dashcam videos, eyewitness testimony, black box data, skid marks, the location of damage on the vehicles, and accident reconstruction reports.
The position of the vehicles at the time of the collision can indicate which driver failed to follow the rules of the road. Medical reports showing injuries (such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or other injuries) are also required to establish damages.
Steps to Take After a Lane-Changing Accident in California
- Check for Injuries
- Move to Safety
- Call the Police
- Exchange Contact and Insurance Information with the Other Driver
- Document the Scene
- Get Contact Details of Witnesses
- Seek Medical Attention
- Notify Your Insurance
- Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Choose a Proven Lane Change Car Accident Lawyer in California
If you have been injured in a car accident in California, you need strong legal representation to pursue a claim for damages. At the King Law Firm, lead car accident attorney Kenneth King has dedicated his career to fighting for the rights of accident victims, recovering over $50 million for his clients through settlements and verdicts.
Ranked among the “Best Lawyers in America” and “Superlawyers,” attorney King will leave no stone unturned to prove liability and obtain the largest possible compensation for you. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 805-628-4869 or contact us online.