A lane-change car accident can catch you off guard, especially if the other vehicle was travelling in your blind spot. One moment you may be driving safely and unaware of any road hazards, and in the next, get slammed by a vehicle unsafely changing lanes. How does this happen and who may be liable for your damages?

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our Mobile car accident attorneys are here to help you after a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence. We have a knowledgeable legal team, and we are prepared to manage your case and protect your legal interests from day one.

Spoiler alert: If you are looking for an injury lawyer that avoids going to court, you don’t want to hire us. We are always prepared to take our client’s case to trial if we believe it will result in a better outcome. In fact, we often push for it to avoid wasting time going back and forth negotiating for a settlement that will not begin to cover all your damages. Our objective is to diligently do all we can to ensure you recover the maximum compensation possible.

Call today to schedule a FREE consultation: 251-888-8888

How Do Lane-Change Accidents Happen in Mobile, Alabama?

Lane-change accidents often occur when one or both drivers fail to execute safe lane changes on Mobile’s busy highways. These crashes do a lot of damage in the seconds it takes for them to occur. Unfortunately, they create significant consequences for everyone involved.

Heavy Traffic

Heavy truck traffic mixed with passenger vehicles can lead to serious crashes, especially when drivers make sudden lane changes to reach an exit. Busy traffic lights and shopping centers often cause frequent lane shifts, raising the risk of lane-change accidents.

Morning and evening rush hours create stop-and-go traffic, frustrating many daily commuters. Some drivers change lanes frequently to try to get out of traffic a little faster, creating an unsafe situation for vehicles traveling the same route.

School zone traffic during pickup and dismissal times poses unique hazards. Parents unfamiliar with the traffic patterns often make sudden lane changes to reach the pickup areas.

Speeds

Higher speed limits and safe escape routes are fundamental when drivers make risky lane changes on highways. At high speeds, other drivers have very little time to react if someone suddenly swerves into their lane without ensuring there is enough distance between them.

Blind Spots

Blind spot failures are the primary cause of lane-change accidents in Mobile. Drivers rely too heavily on mirrors instead of physically checking blind spots before changing lanes. Large trucks and SUVs create hazardous blind spots that hide smaller vehicles.

Inadequate Signaling

Improper signaling contributes to countless crashes every day. Some drivers throw their signals on at the last second – which doesn’t give other drivers ample time to react – while other drivers fail to use turn signals at all.

Aggressive Behaviors

Aggressive driving behaviors significantly escalate accident risks. Drivers who weave between lanes, tailgate, or race to beat traffic create dangerous conditions throughout Mobile’s roadways. They may not have enough time to react and could rear-end a vehicle.

Construction Zones

Orange barrels and concrete barriers narrow available space, making lane changes more challenging. Lane configurations shift as construction progresses, forcing drivers to adapt constantly.

Nighttime construction work presents visibility challenges for drivers attempting lane changes. Work zone lighting creates shadows and glare that make it challenging to judge vehicle positions.

Weather Condition

Mobile’s weather often makes lane changes risky. Thunderstorms and heavy rain reduce visibility, blur lane markings, and cause hydroplaning.

Morning fog along Mobile Bay limits sight during rush hour, making it hard to see nearby vehicles. During hurricane season, strong winds can push cars off the road.

Who May Be Liable for a Lane-Change Crash in Alabama?

Liability in lane-changing accidents requires evaluating multiple factors and potential parties. Your attorney can help you identify the liable parties so that you can receive the maximum amount of compensation.

• Other Drivers: Another driver may bear primary responsibility when they fail to execute a safe lane change by not checking blind spots or signaling lane changes.
• Employers/Trucking Companies: Trucking companies may bear liability for lane-change accidents if they practice negligent hiring or do not provide adequate training.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: Defective mirrors, turn signals, or blind spot monitoring systems can contribute to lane-change accidents, making manufacturers liable.
• Government Entities: Poor road design, inadequate signage, or dangerous construction zones can create liability for government agencies.

What if a Lane-Change Causes a Chain-Reaction Crash?

Lane-change accidents can trigger devastating chain-reaction crashes chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles. When one driver makes an unsafe lane change, it forces other drivers to react suddenly, creating a domino effect of collisions. These multi-vehicle accidents complicate liability determination and increase the severity of injuries and property damage.

The driver who made the initial unsafe lane change typically bears primary responsibility for the entire chain reaction. Their negligent action set the sequence of events in motion, making them liable for all resulting damages.

Each driver involved must meet their duty of care requirements regardless of the initial lane change. Drivers who were following too closely, speeding, or distracted may share liability for their portion of the accident. Alabama’s contributory negligence rules mean any driver’s mistake can affect their ability to recover compensation.

Insurance companies face complex situations when multiple vehicles and policies are involved. Each insurer attempts to minimize its clients’ liability while maximizing the responsibility of other parties. This creates disputes that can delay settlements and complicate the recovery of compensation.

Medical expenses and property damage accumulate quickly when multiple vehicles are involved. Individual insurance policy limits may not cover all damages, requiring claims against multiple carriers. Uninsured or underinsured drivers further complicate the situation.

Evidence That Helps To Establish a Crash Due to a Negligent Lane Change

Your attorney will need to prove negligence by presenting strong evidence that demonstrates how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

• Police Report: This documentation provides the responding officer’s statements, vehicle position after the crash, weather conditions, and any traffic citations issued.
• Witness Statements: Witnesses’ observations regarding signaling, speed, and aggressive driving help establish patterns of negligence.
• Traffic Camera Footage: Cameras at major intersections and highway interchanges may have recorded your accident. Footage captures the actual lane change and collision from multiple angles.
• Vehicle Damage Patterns: Reconstruction experts can evaluate vehicle speeds and impact angles to determine the sequence of events that led to the damage. Paint transfer between vehicles may confirm which parts made contact.
• Cellphone Records: Cell phone data provides concrete evidence that distracted driving contributes to lane-change accidents. Phone companies maintain detailed records of calls, texts, and data usage with precise timestamps.

How Drivers Can Avoid a Lane-Change Crash in Mobile

Lane-change accidents are preventable when drivers follow proper safety procedures and remain alert to changing traffic conditions. Mobile’s busy highways and heavy traffic require extra caution when changing lanes.

Proper Lane-Change Techniques

Before changing lanes, always check your mirrors and turn your head to check blind spots. Use your turn signal at least 100 feet in advance, as required by Alabama law. Ensure there is sufficient space to move without cutting off other drivers and change lanes gradually to maintain control.

Be Aware of Traffic Patterns

Mobile’s highways, especially I-10, I-65, and Highway 98, experience heavy truck and rush hour traffic, making lane changes risky. Large trucks need more space, and impatient drivers often make sudden moves. Construction zones, narrow lanes, and barriers are danger zones that can be avoided by following signs and merging early.

Look At Your Surroundings

Avoid changing lanes near aggressive drivers who weave or tailgate, as they increase the risk of a crash. These drivers are likely to create unpredictable situations.

Never attempt lane changes when visibility is limited by weather, darkness, or road design. Wait for clear conditions before changing lanes in challenging situations.

Defensive Driving Strategies

Maintain a safe following distance by using the three-second rule to allow sufficient time to react. Avoid driving in other vehicles’ blind spots. You can either pass quickly or slow down to stay behind the other vehicle. Watch out for cars merging near exits, construction zones, or emergency vehicles.

Emergency Responses

If a driver moves into your lane, stay calm and respond safely. Brake, speed up, or change lanes if needed. Use your horn to alert drivers who do not see you. When emergency vehicles approach, change lanes smoothly to clear the way.

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys if You Were Involved in a Lane-Change Accident

If you were injured in a lane-change crash in Mobile, we want to help. Our trusted law firm helps victims injured by the negligence of others every day – and we’re good at it!

Wondering how much it costs to hire our law firm? You pay no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees because we take all injury cases on contingency. That means that we do not get paid unless you do.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, your case is in good hands. We have a highly qualified legal team, and if your case ends up going to trial, we have yet another unique advantage over other injury lawyers in Alabama. We have the only mock courtroom in the state, and we use this realistic court environment to prepare our clients.

“I win or you don’t owe me a dime.” 251-888-8888