Lane Change Accidents In South Carolina

If you have ever seen the movie Changing Lanes, you will remember how Samuel L. Jackson’s initial reaction when Ben Affleck swipes his car sums up the way most of us would respond when someone merges into our lane of traffic.  Yes, things would be much worse if someone had gotten seriously injured, but a car accident is the last thing anyone needs on an already stressful day.  Life being less dramatic than the movies, your day probably didn’t start out as bad as Samuel L. Jackson’s character’s day did, and the person who hit your car probably isn’t as villainous as Ben Affleck’s character, but car accidents are a bummer no matter the circumstances.  Lane change accidents are very common, and if one of these accidents is causing you financial hardship, contact a Columbia car accident lawyer.

Do Lane Change Accidents Cause Serious Injury?

Lane change accidents occur when a car that is merging into another lane of traffic strikes a car that is already in the target lane.  They sometimes happen because the struck vehicle was in the striking driver’s blind spot, but more often, they happen because the driver of the striking vehicle did not look carefully enough to see where the struck vehicle was or judged incorrectly whether there was enough room to merge.  Road rage, distracted driving, and alcohol all increase the risk of unsafe lane changes.

Lane change accidents, also called broadside accidents or sideswipe accidents, are among the most common types of collisions, but they do not usually cause severe injuries.  After a lane change accident, your pocketbook is probably in more pain than any part of your body, because the doors of your car are fragile, and even a low-speed collision can cause serious damage.  Seatbelts and airbags are effective at protecting passengers, though.  Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should have a doctor examine you right after the accident in case you develop symptoms of whiplash injury later.

Who Is at Fault for a Lane Change Accident?

The driver that attempted the unsafe lane change is almost always at fault for a lane change accident.  South Carolina is a comparative negligence state, so the insurance companies might find you partially at fault, especially if you were using a cell phone or otherwise paying attention to a distraction.

In a perfect world, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay for all your vehicle repairs and, if you got injured, your medical bills.  Getting insurance companies to pay you enough for you to break even after the accident is not always easy, though.  If the insurance company offers you an inadequate settlement, contact a lawyer instead of signing to accept the settlement amount.

Let Us Help You Today

The personal injury lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you if you have been injured in a lane change accident.  Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.

Source:

law.justia.com/codes/south-carolina/2012/title-56/chapter-5/section-56-5-1900