A vehicle changing lanes without a signal may be common but can have serious consequences including fines, accidents, property damage, etc.
If you are involved in a car accident where the other driver failed to signal the lane change, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and other damages. However, proving that the improper lane change can be a challenging task.
In such a situation, it is important to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, before you give any statement or sign any document.
What is an unsafe Lane Change in Georgia?
Improper lane change is moving a vehicle from one lane to another in an unsafe manner. Even if this action does not result in an accident the driver can still be ticketed for the offense. Unsafe lane change includes:
- Maintaining an unsafe distance from other vehicles
- Weaving through traffic too fast
- Passing a slower vehicle too close
- Forcing a car off the road
Any of the unsafe lane changes can result in an accident-causing serious injuries to other drivers or passengers. The driver must give a signal for lane change for a sufficient time to alert other drivers. Light or hand-and-arm signals can be used to alert approaching drivers.
When drivers ignore this need to give any warning to others this may result in crashes. Because other people on the road have no idea that a driver is going to change lanes. This means that they don’t have sufficient time to slow down, stop, or take other actions. Therefore, the driver making the unsafe lane change may be deemed to be negligent.
How to Prove an Improper Lane Change?
Obtaining evidence which can establish that the improper lane change occurred can be critical. This evidence includes:
Witness statements: If there were other people present at the accident scene, their statements can serve as direct evidence. They can state in an affidavit or deposition whether the driver made a lane change in a careless manner.
Accident Scene Photos: Photos of the accident scene that show the damage may serve as circumstantial evidence.
Camera Footage: The footage from a security camera, a red light camera, or a dash-cam can capture footage of the accident.
Black box data: Event data recorders can provide information on whether a driver turned left or right at the time of the crash.
Several pieces of evidence are viewed together to establish the cause of the accident.
Things to Do When Improper Lane Change Causes an Accident
If you are a victim of an accident where a driver made an improper lane change, it is important to take immediate action to ensure that you are fully compensated. This includes:
Gathering all information: You should gather all evidence related to the accident such as crash scene photos, car repair receipts, medical bills, emails sent by insurance companies, etc.
Get medical Attention: Delaying medical attention not only endangers your health, but it can also have an impact on your claim. The delay could be used by the insurance company to argue the seriousness of the injuries.
Give notice to insurance company: You may be required to report the crash to your insurance company within a certain timeframe.
Refrain from speaking to the other driver’s insurer: Other driver’s insurers may try to contact you by call or email, it is better to refer the communication to your attorney. Refrain from giving any statement or accepting a settlement offer without talking with an experienced law firm in Atlanta that specializes in dealing with improper lane change accidents.
Conclusion:
At Hines Law, we have helped thousands of victims of improper lane change accidents in Atlanta. We are an esteemed Atlanta law firm and our knowledgeable attorneys understand the complexities of such cases to provide you with the best legal representation.
