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11. Unsafe Lane Changes.

You mistakenly move into a lane without checking to see if a car is in the next lane or passing a car without checking for oncoming traffic, and next thing you know, one of the top causes of car accidents has taken place.

How Do Unsafe Lane Changes Cause Car Accidents?

Making an unsafe lane change can be as simple as you changing lanes without signaling or by starting to signal after you began the lane change.  Our San Diego firm’s car accident lawyers know it may also be that you changed into a lane where the following car was forced to brake in order to make room, or even brake too hard in order for the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance.

Unsafe lane changes can occur when you make a lane change too quickly as a result of road conditions or the type of car being driven.  The point is that unsafe lane changes cause car accidents that come with devastating aftermaths.

Preventing Unsafe Lane Changes For Causing Car Accidents

When operating a vehicle and using the car’s mirrors, it is also vital to look over to the left or right to make sure there is no one in your blind spot before making a lane change.   Changing lanes can become even more challenging depending on road conditions such as traffic and weather.

If you are drive a large automobile, then it might be a good idea to install proper blind proof mirrors so that lane changes can be done safely.

Examples Unsafe Lane Changes That Result In Car Accidents

  • Changing lanes without making sure there are no cars next to you or any coming towards you if you are passing a car.
  • Failing to signal before making a lane change.
  • Driving in the middle of two lanes for an extended period of time.

The good news is it is easy to prevent an unsafe lane change and avoid subsequent car accidents.  It just takes knowing how to make a safe lane change instead of a dangerous one.

Guideline To Avoiding Car Accidents By Merging Safely

  • Always use your blinkers or turn signals.
  • Only change one lane at a time.
  • Never change lanes in an area where the lanes are separated by solid lines, only do so around dashed lines.
  • Do not speed up to change lanes.
  • Never cut anyone off while changing lanes.
  • Don’t change lanes in an intersection, or too close before the intersection. Wait until you’re thru the light and then change lanes.

None of these recommendations are hard to implement and are simply the rules of the road.  By following them, however, you can help prevent car accidents every day you are behind the wheel of your car.

Call Our Lawyers If You’ve Been Injured Due To Unsafe Lane Changes

In our experience, as car accident lawyers, we believe that unsafe shifts on the road are avoidable if you just remember to look before you change lanes.  Our goal is to get you home — lane-to-lane — with safety as a priority.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by an unsafe lane change then call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.  Since 1992, our San Diego law office has been geared primarily towards auto accident claims.  We know how the insurance companies work, so let our insider knowledge help you in your time of need.

Most Recent Blog Post

[caption id="attachment_21715" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo Credit: The San Diego Union Tribune"]San Diego Car Accident - Kearny Mesa - Teen drivers in alleged speeding contest[/caption] Last week, we reported on a car accident in San Diego that resulted out of alleged teen street racing. In new developments, the 18-year-old driver charged with the death of the two teenagers involved in the street racing has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter among four other charges according to reports at the San Diego Union Tribune. The news follows the earlier arrest of another 16-year-old driver that was taken into custody on similar charges. Just shortly after his arraignment, Michael Johnson, the 18-year-old driver of a Volvo S40, said, according to his attorney, that he is not the responsible party in the tragic San Diego accident fatalities that occurred April 4. Accident reports indicate that Johnson was returning from a spring break beach party in La Jolla when he was allegedly involved in a street racing contest with another teen driver – the unidentified 16-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Passat whose name has not been released since he is a minor. According to Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler, the two vehicles were zigzagging across lanes at speeds reaching up to a staggering 100 m.p.h. The 16-year-old driver in the Passat lost control over the vehicle, causing the car to flip over several times across multiple lanes of the road. Two passengers, Anthony Foreman, 18, and Jayli Campbell, 16, were thrown from the Passat and died at the scene of the accident. Two passengers survived the crash. Charlotte McQuillen, survived the accident although she suffered serious injury as a result of the collision including reports that say the teen will have to recover from traumatic brain injury. Anthoney Taylor, 16, also survived the crash although his injuries are unclear at this time. Johnson did not flee the scene of the accident according to police reports and cooperated with authorities once officers assessed the scene of the collision. The teen has no prior criminal record, although authorities say his vehicle was found containing a small amount of marijuana. Johnson is being charged with intoxicated driving, although his lawyer says there were no field sobriety tests to confirm the teen’s alleged intoxication. Teen driving: reminders for concerned parents Last week, we blogged on actions parents can take to prevent teen car accidents. Tips include:

  • Sign a parent-teen contract. Download your free contract now.
  • Enforcing the rules. Every teen driver needs to know that rules are there for a purpose, and when they are broken, consequences will follow.
  • Have a DUI backup plan. As most parents can attest, there are many instances when teen drivers run into problems that supersede their know-how and maturity. Drinking is one of those problems. In cases of emergency, your teen should have an open-door policy where they feel safe to call you when they need help – such in the case of drunk driving or driving while intoxicated.
About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC The Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC are specialists in car accident injury. Every personal injury attorney in our San Diego office works hard to seek maximum recovery for every injured client. Your case is handled without any out-of-pocket costs, so do not hesitate to speak to a San Diego personal injury lawyer today for a free legal evaluation. Call us at 1-800-655-6585.