Lane-Change Accidents in Oklahoma City
Unsafe lane changes are one of the most common causes of car accidents in Oklahoma City and elsewhere. Congested highways, frequent road construction, and sharing the roads with large commercial trucks all contribute to high numbers of accidents on Oklahoma City roadways, including lane-change accidents. Making an unsafe lane change can cause tragic accidents, often resulting in injuries to motorists in both vehicles involved in the collision. However, in most cases, only one driver is at fault and liable for the damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a lane-change accident, contact our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers or truck accident lawyers from Dan Davis Law by filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding Oklahoma City Lane-Change Accidents
Approximately ten percent of all traffic accidents occur during lane changes, resulting in around 530,000 crashes each year. About half of lane-change accidents are caused by commercial trucks, despite the far smaller number of commercial vehicles on the road compared to private cars.
A driver makes an unsafe lane change when they move into a parallel lane on a multi-lane divided highway and encounter a vehicle already in the lane. This most often results from the driver’s failure to double-check rearview and side mirrors and then follow up with a glance over the shoulder before making a lane change. The chances of a lane-change accident increase under the following conditions:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Weaving through traffic
- Tailgating
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Missing or poorly placed rear-view mirror or side mirrors
- Vehicle design defects
Blind Spots and Lane-Changing Accidents In Oklahoma City
All vehicles have blind spots on both the left and right sides, typically the area along the sides of the car behind the driver and passenger windows, and extending several feet past the rear of the vehicle. Blind spots also exist where the A-pillar frames on the front windshield obstruct vision. Commercial trucks have extended blind spots on both sides of the truck, across multiple lanes, and directly in front of and behind the truck’s cab and trailer.
Drivers have a legal duty of care to take all reasonable measures to avoid causing an accident, including carefully checking their mirrors and glancing back over the shoulder to check blind spots before changing lanes.
Liability In Oklahoma City Lane-Change Accidents
When a driver makes an unsafe lane change, they can cause an accident by sideswiping a car already occupying the lane, or by forcing the driver of the other car to swerve into other vehicles or off the roadway to avoid a collision. The driver who made the unsafe lane change is almost always liable for the damages to other motorists, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there are times when the driver of the other vehicle could be at fault or share fault for the accident. For instance, if they were driving in low light or poor visibility conditions without their headlights on, it would make it difficult for the other driver to see them. Tailgating, or following too closely, can also leave the victim of an unsafe lane change accident partly liable for the damages.
If a lane-change collision results in a fatality, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim with the help of an experienced wrongful death attorney in Oklahoma City.
How Can an Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer From Dan Davis Law Help?
If you or a close family member suffered injuries in an unsafe lane-change accident in Oklahoma City, call Dan Davis Law at (405) 930-4210 for experienced representation. Your Oklahoma City car or truck accident attorney from Dan Davis Law will investigate the accident and document compelling evidence to demonstrate the at-fault driver’s negligence to recover the maximum compensation available to you.