Lane departure accidents refers to any situation in which an individual’s vehicle drifts over the center line or other lines leaving his or her lane inappropriately. According to research from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, lane departure accidents make up more than 51% of all fatal vehicle crashes in the United States.

There are numerous reasons that a lane departure or lane drifting accident can happen, including drunk driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving. Individuals who are looking at their phone or talking to someone else in the vehicle may drift outside of their lane for just a couple of seconds. Someone who is sleepy and falls asleep behind the wheel could move from their lane unexpectedly. An individual whose driving ability has been impacted by alcohol may struggle to keep their car in their own lane. Sometimes lane departure accidents can also be caused by defective equipment on the vehicle such as tires that blow out.

Regardless of the cause of a lane departure accident, the results can be catastrophic. A car drifting to the right can slam into a pedestrian, a bicyclist or another vehicle and also hit stationary items such as trees or poles. Serious injuries can result if you have recently been injured in a lane departure accident. You should consult with a medical professional as soon as possible to determine the full extent of your injuries.