Changing lanes is a normal thing to do when you are driving in Columbia, Missouri. However, improper lane changing or making unintentional mistakes during a lane change often contribute to car accidents. The dangers of changing lanes can vary depending on the type of road and the traffic that frequently travels that road.
If you are on a two-lane road, you face two dangers: Oncoming traffic when trying to pass, and a vehicle going the same direction trying to pull out to pass at the same time without realizing you are on their left. This is often due to you being in their blind spot. The blind spot is often a factor on four-lane roads as well.ca
If you were injured in a lane change crash, the Columbia lane change crash attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers are here for you. Contact our law office in Columbia, MO, at (314) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia lane change crash lawyer.
How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After Lane-Change Crashes in Columbia
The Columbia personal injury attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have helped injured clients recover over $100 million.
When you hire our Columbia lane change crash lawyers, you can expect us to do the following:
- Discuss your legal options
- Develop a strategy for your case
- Gather evidence
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Assess your damages
- Negotiate for a settlement
- Represent you at trial if needed
Even if your injuries are not life-threatening, you may miss time from your job and lose income from those days. In addition to getting your medical expenses covered, an experienced lawyer may also be able to help you recoup your lost income, as well as other losses you may have suffered as a result of the accident. A Columbia car accident lawyer familiar with Missouri law and handling lane-change crashes can help relieve any additional stress caused by dealing with insurance companies.
Contact our law office in Columbia, MO, to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia car accident attorney.
Causes of Lane Change Accidents in Missouri
While a blind spot is a significant factor that contributes to many lane-change accidents, that is far from the only contributing factor.
Other common causes of lane change accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Impatient drivers who pass even when it isn’t safe
- Inexperienced drivers
- Fatigue
- Failure to use a turn signal to pass and/or merge back into traffic in your original lane
- Bad weather, such as rain, fog, or ice that affects a driver’s ability to see or brake quickly
An experienced car accident attorney can help you identify the cause of your lane change accident.
Who Is Legally At Fault In a Lane-Change Accident in Missouri?
Because of the many factors involved in lane change crashes, the legal issues involved in a lane change accident can be complex. Who was at fault? In a two-lane road accident, fault is probably easier to assign than in a four-lane highway incident. If a driver passes on a solid yellow line, it is difficult or even impossible for the driver of the oncoming vehicle to avoid the accident.
The driver making the lane change is usually presumed to be at fault unless there is some evidence by another driver close
by that the other vehicle drifted into the left lane or negligently failed to observe his or her blind spot. This issue of fault can also be affected if either driver is found to be impaired by drugs or alcohol or was texting or engaged in some other distracting activity.
How Do Illegal Activities Affect Fault for Lane-Change Crashes?
Unfortunately, some lane change crashes are caused by illegal activity. As mentioned above, passing on a yellow line is a violation of traffic laws, so many head-on collisions could be avoided if the law was observed. Impaired driving and distracted driving are also frequent causes of lane change crashes. Since many lane-change collisions are caused by negligent activity or inattention to surroundings, the finger may be pointed at the driver who failed to make the responsible decision to drive safely.
How Can You Prevent a Lane-Change Crash in Missouri?
Many drivers think that checking their side and rear-view mirrors is enough to make a decision whether to pull into another lane. But the safest drivers also double-check for vehicles that may be at an angle that doesn’t show up in the mirrors.
Even if you follow all of the rules of the road, give your full attention to your surroundings, and refrain from using alcohol or drugs prior to or while driving, other drivers may not be as cautious. You may be the most attentive driver that ever got behind the wheel of a vehicle, but other drivers pose a danger. Even when you aren’t changing lanes, you must be vigilant of those who are.
Contact A Columbia Auto Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The professionals at Schultz and Myers Personal Injury Lawyers have years of experience dealing specifically with lane-change crashes. We also handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees if there is no financial recovery. Contact our law office in Columbia, MO, to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia lane change crash attorney.