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While driving on Marietta roads, things can happen that are out of your control. A good example is when someone makes an unexpected and unsafe lane change. If the action leads to an accident, it’s time to speak with a Marietta car accident lawyer.
John Foy & Associates has been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We know what it takes to win cases. Plus, we will not charge you a fee unless we win for you.
Contact us online to get started with a FREE consultation. We’ll discuss the details of your case and your legal options. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation today.
What an Unsafe Lane Change Looks Like in Marietta
An unsafe lane change can happen in many ways. Drivers who switch lanes incorrectly are often driving aggressively, speeding, driving while distracted, or even asleep behind the wheel.
Here are some examples of unsafe lane changes in Marietta:
- Not checking blind spots before merging
- Swerving in and out of lanes
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Switching lanes in an intersection
- Drifting in between lanes
- Taking too long to change between two lanes
- Switching lanes when road conditions are unsafe
You will need to understand how the other driver was at fault. That includes investigating what happened right before the accident. Try to remember everything you witnessed about the driver’s behavior.
A Marietta car accident lawyer can help. They will know how to gather evidence of the driver’s unsafe lane change.
Georgia Lane Changing Laws
Drivers must follow Georgia’s laws on lane changing under Georgia Code Section 40-6-123. According to these laws, motorists must continuously put on their blinker before changing lanes. Each driver should signal long enough for other drivers to know they plan to switch lanes.
Failing to follow lane changing laws is careless behavior. In legal terms, unsafe actions are forms of negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care towards other drivers.
If a driver’s unsafe lane change caused your accident, they are responsible for the costs. You can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. You should not have to cover the costs of losses you didn’t cause.
The Consequences of Unsafe Lane Changes in Marietta
Side-swipe accidents are common with unsafe lane changes. Without a signal, other drivers don’t have warning of a lane change. The driver changing lanes might collide into the side of another vehicle.
“Phantom vehicle” accidents are also common:
- A phantom vehicle crash happens when one car starts moving into another car’s lane.
- The second car’s driver swerves to avoid the first driver, hitting a third driver or an object.
- Even though there was no contact with the primary driver, that driver is still at fault for the accident.
Phantom vehicle accidents are complicated. It can be challenging to prove that the first driver was at fault. It’s best to contact a Marietta car accident lawyer as soon as possible to help with this type of claim.
Other accidents that can happen because of unsafe lane changes include:
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
Unsafe lane changes are hazardous for everyone on Marietta roads. You should not have to bear the costs of another driver’s mistakes.
Contact John Foy & Associates to get a FREE consultation with the best lawyer for you. There is no fee unless we win your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started today.
Why Drivers Make Dangerous Lane Changes
A driver might change lanes unsafely due to:
- Aggressiveness
- Carelessness
- Lack of sleep
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Speeding
- Impatience
No matter how an unsafe lane change happens, the driver is at fault if they cause your accident. You might be entitled to compensation for your damages.
Common Car Accident Damages
The at-fault driver in an accident is responsible for all costs. More accurately, the driver’s insurance company is liable for the damages.
Your lawyer will consider all of the ways the accident has affected you. You’ll need to know the full value of your damages. The at-fault driver’s insurance company should cover every accident cost.
Some of the most common accident damages include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription drugs
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
Medical costs, lost wages, and vehicle repairs are special damages. These losses have set dollar amounts. You will need to prove these costs through documentation. Your lawyer can help you obtain your medical records and other evidence.
Pain and suffering are harder to demonstrate. You cannot point to a monetary amount for emotional losses. You will need an experienced attorney who can calculate the worth of your pain and suffering.
How to Build Your Unsafe Lane Change Accident Case
Your insurance claim will need to show that:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The driver breached their duty of care.
- The breached duty led to your car accident.
- You suffered damages because of the accident.
An unsafe lane change is negligent behavior. You will need to show that the lane change caused the accident. Your lawyer can help you do this, and there are steps you can take after the accident, too.
Here are some actions you can take to build your claim:
- Report the car accident to the police.
- Take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver.
- See a doctor for your injuries as soon as possible.
- Talk to any eyewitnesses to your accident. Get their names and phone numbers.
- Contact an experienced lawyer for a free consultation.
Talk to a Marietta Unsafe Lane Change Accident Lawyer for Free Today
You should not have to cover the costs of a car accident that someone else caused. John Foy & Associates can help. We have over 20 years of experience helping injury victims recover what they deserve.
We do not charge a fee unless we win you money. Plus, the consultation is always FREE. To schedule your FREE consultation today, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
