Lane change accidents are really common in Dunwoody and throughout Georgia. These accidents often happen when a driver has been careless. If you or a loved one suffered injuries, you might have compensation options.
Injury victims are entitled to financial recovery after an accident. But getting fair compensation is rarely easy. It’s best to work with a Dunwoody unsafe lane change accident lawyer for help.
John Foy & Associates can help you build a strong injury claim. Our goal is the full recovery for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
Contact our Dunwoody car accident lawyer today to discuss the details of your case.
Georgia’s Lane Change Laws
There are a few Georgia statutes that address lane changes. Drivers must be careful to follow all laws and avoid causing an accident.
Signaling Before Changing Lanes
According to Georgia Code § 40-6-123:
- Drivers should only change lanes when they can with “reasonable safety.”
- Drivers must provide a “signal of intention” before changing lanes. They must signal long enough for other drivers to know they plan to change lanes.
- Drivers should only use their blinkers to turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position.
Staying in a Lane
Under Georgia Code § 40-6-49, drivers must stay entirely within a single lane on roads with two or more lanes. No one should move from their lane until it’s safe to do so.
Move Over Law
Georgia’s Move Over Law protects drivers when emergency vehicles are stopped on the side of the road. Examples of emergency vehicles include:
- First responders like fire, police, and EMS
- DOT vehicles
- Utility vehicles
- HERO Units
When a driver approaches an authorized emergency vehicle with their lights on, the driver should:
- Change into a lane that isn’t next to the emergency vehicle (if possible)
- Slow down to a proper speed if changing lanes isn’t possible
- Prepare to stop if necessary
A driver who violates Georgia law and causes an accident is negligent. If another driver’s unsafe lane change caused your crash, you have rights.
Liability in Unsafe Lane Changes in Dunwoody
All drivers in Dunwoody have a duty of “reasonable care.” Making an unsafe lane change violates this duty. If the driver’s actions cause injuries or death, they are responsible for the costs.
Unsafe lane changes often happen when the driver is:
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted
- Speeding
- Driving recklessly or aggressively
- Failing to check blind spots or mirrors
- Visually impaired
- Not using their turn signal correctly
- Changing lanes without enough room
- Staying too long in between lanes
These are just a few examples. You will need to prove how the driver’s actions led to your accident. Thankfully, a car accident lawyer can help you do this through a personal injury claim.
What You Can Recover in a Car Accident Claim
If someone else’s actions injured you, you have rights. You are eligible for full compensation for your accident costs like:
- Medical bills
- Other treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
Car accidents can be very expensive. They can also affect you in more ways than money. A lawyer will identify all of the ways you’ve been affected by the crash.
Punitive Damages
Sometimes, the courts will award punitive damages for very reckless behavior. For example, these damages might apply if the accident involved drunk driving.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in an accident, you could have a wrongful death claim. Certain family members can file this type of claim. Wrongful death damages include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship
Your injury claim should “make you whole” as fully as possible. Any settlement you win should recover the costs of an accident that wasn’t your fault. To learn more about your options, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 for a FREE consultation.
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Injuries You Can Recover Money for in Dunwoody
You should be able to recover compensation for any injuries from the accident.
Examples of injuries we see from unsafe lane changes include:
- Whiplash
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Scrapes and bruises
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
You must get medical treatment as soon as possible, even for minor injuries. You’ll need to know all of your treatment costs before filing a claim. Even if you feel okay, have a doctor check you for injuries.
Waiting too long to get treatment will hurt your case. The insurance company won’t have records to support your claim. Without proof, the insurer will try to offer much less than you deserve.
Be Wary of the Insurance Company
In Georgia, the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays for accident costs. So, if another driver caused the crash, you can file a claim with their insurance company.
The insurance company might try to contact you very soon. In some cases, they’ll call within hours of the collision. But you should be very careful about any communication. The insurance company is not on your side.
Insurance companies will use tactics like:
- Offering a very low settlement
- Calling you and using something you say against you
- Questioning your injuries or other damages
- Asking you to sign something or give a recorded statement
Protect yourself from the insurance company by working with an experienced lawyer. A Dunwoody car accident lawyer will know what to do. They can communicate with the insurer for you and negotiate for what you deserve.
Speak with a Dunwoody Unsafe Lane Change Lawyer Today
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been working with accident victims for over 25 years. Our lawyers believe in fair compensation—every single time. We are not afraid to fight for your rights after an accident you didn’t cause.
Our process is risk-free for our clients. We do not charge you at all unless we win your case. Our fee is then a percentage of what you win—no need for out-of-pocket or upfront costs.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to speak with an experienced attorney today. The consultation is 100% FREE.
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