California Lane Change Accident Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights After an Unsafe Merge

Lane change accidents occur when a vehicle moves from one lane to another and collides with a vehicle already occupying that lane. These accidents are particularly common on California's busy freeways like the I-5, I-405, and Highway 101, where multiple lanes of traffic move at high speeds. According to the California Highway Patrol, improper lane changes contribute to approximately 9% of all traffic collisions in the state, resulting in thousands of injuries annually.

The most common types of lane change accidents include blind spot collisions, where a driver fails to see a vehicle in their blind spot before merging; sideswipe accidents, where two vehicles traveling parallel make contact; and merge accidents at highway on-ramps where drivers fail to yield properly. These collisions often result in side-impact crashes, which are particularly dangerous because vehicles have less structural protection on their sides compared to the front or rear. Many victims suffer injuries similar to those seen in T-bone accidents, where the side impact can cause severe trauma.

California Vehicle Code Section 22107 requires drivers to signal their intention to change lanes at least 100 feet before making the maneuver. Additionally, drivers must ensure the lane change can be made safely without affecting other vehicles. When drivers violate these laws and cause accidents, they can be held liable for all resulting damages through a personal injury claim. Our experienced attorneys understand these laws and how to use them to build strong cases for our clients.

Driver negligence is the primary cause of lane change accidents in California. The most frequent contributing factor is failure to check blind spots—those areas around a vehicle that aren't visible in side or rearview mirrors. Even with properly adjusted mirrors, all vehicles have blind spots where other cars, motorcycles, or bicycles can be hidden from view. Drivers who fail to physically turn their heads to check these areas before changing lanes often collide with vehicles they never saw, similar to the negligence seen in many motorcycle accidents where riders are struck by drivers who failed to look.

Distracted driving has become an epidemic on California roads and is a major contributor to lane change accidents. Drivers texting, talking on phones, adjusting GPS systems, or eating while driving often drift between lanes or make sudden lane changes without proper awareness of surrounding traffic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving causes approximately 25% of all traffic accidents. When distracted drivers cause lane change collisions, they can be held fully liable for all resulting damages.

Other common causes include aggressive driving behaviors such as weaving through traffic, failing to signal before changing lanes, changing lanes too quickly without allowing adequate space, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and poor weather conditions combined with excessive speed. Truck drivers who fail to account for their vehicle's larger blind spots are also frequently at fault in lane change accidents involving commercial vehicles.

Lane change accidents often result in side-impact collisions, which can cause severe injuries due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles. The most common injuries include whiplash and neck injuries from the sudden lateral force of impact, which can cause long-term pain and require extensive physical therapy. Victims may also suffer traumatic brain injuries if their head strikes the window or door frame during the collision.

Spinal cord injuries are particularly concerning in lane change accidents, especially when the impact occurs at highway speeds. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifetime medical care and dramatically impacting quality of life. Broken bones and fractures are also common, particularly to the ribs, arms, and pelvis on the side of impact. These injuries often require surgery, extended hospitalization, and months of rehabilitation.

Beyond physical injuries, many lane change accident victims experience psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety about driving, and depression. These psychological injuries are compensable under California law and should be documented by mental health professionals as part of your injury claim. Internal organ damage, particularly to the liver, spleen, and kidneys, can also occur in severe side-impact collisions and may not be immediately apparent after the accident.

• ✓Whiplash and soft tissue neck injuries
• ✓Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• ✓Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• ✓Broken ribs, arms, and pelvic fractures
• ✓Internal organ damage
• ✓Psychological trauma and PTSD

California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if you're partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. However, in most lane change accidents, the driver who changed lanes bears primary responsibility. California Vehicle Code Section 21658 requires drivers to stay within their lane unless the movement can be made with reasonable safety. Our experienced attorneys know how to investigate these accidents and establish clear liability.

To establish fault, your attorney will gather evidence including police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction analysis. Skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and the final resting positions of vehicles all provide crucial evidence about how the accident occurred. Many modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (black boxes) that capture speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before a collision. This evidence can be crucial in proving the other driver's negligence.

Insurance companies often try to shift blame to the victim, claiming they were speeding, following too closely, or could have avoided the collision. This is why having an experienced car accident lawyer is essential. We work with accident reconstruction experts who can definitively establish that the other driver's unsafe lane change was the primary cause of the collision, protecting your right to full compensation.

California has specific traffic laws designed to prevent lane change accidents. Vehicle Code Section 22107 requires drivers to signal continuously for at least 100 feet before changing lanes or turning. This gives other drivers adequate warning of your intentions and time to adjust their speed or position. Failure to signal is not only a traffic violation but also strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.

Vehicle Code Section 21658 requires drivers to drive within a single lane and only move from that lane when the movement can be made with reasonable safety. This means drivers must check mirrors, look over their shoulders to check blind spots, and ensure adequate space exists before changing lanes. Vehicle Code Section 21750 addresses passing on the left and requires drivers to pass only when safe and when the left lane is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic.

For commercial truck drivers, additional federal regulations apply. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require commercial drivers to exercise extreme caution when changing lanes due to their vehicles' larger blind spots and longer stopping distances. Violations of these regulations can provide additional grounds for liability in truck-involved lane change accidents.

Your actions immediately after a lane change accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. First and foremost, ensure everyone's safety and call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance for anyone injured. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask injury symptoms, so it's crucial to be evaluated by medical professionals. A police report documenting the accident is essential evidence for your claim.

If you're able, document the accident scene thoroughly. Take photos of all vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, lane markings, and the overall accident scene from multiple angles. Get contact information from all drivers involved, including names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers. Collect contact information from witnesses, as their independent accounts can be invaluable in establishing fault.

Seek immediate medical attention even if you don't think you're seriously injured. Many injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries, may not show symptoms for hours or days after an accident. Delaying medical treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren't serious or weren't caused by the accident. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep detailed records of all medical appointments, prescriptions, and expenses. Then contact our experienced legal team to discuss your case.

• ✓Call 911 and report the accident to police
• ✓Seek immediate medical evaluation
• ✓Document the scene with photos and videos
• ✓Collect driver and witness information
• ✓Avoid admitting fault or apologizing
• ✓Contact an experienced car accident lawyer
• ✓Notify your insurance company
• ✓Keep detailed records of all expenses

Victims of lane change accidents in California are entitled to compensation for all economic and non-economic damages resulting from the collision. Economic damages include all quantifiable financial losses such as medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, property damage to your vehicle, and out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to medical appointments and home modifications if you've suffered a disability.

Non-economic damages compensate for subjective losses that don't have a specific dollar value. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse). California law does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, meaning you can recover full compensation for these losses. Our firm has achieved impressive case results for clients throughout California.

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct—such as a drunk driver causing a lane change accident or a driver who was texting and weaving through traffic—you may be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Our attorneys have successfully recovered millions in compensation for lane change accident victims, including a recent $2.3 million settlement for a client who suffered spinal injuries when a distracted driver merged into their lane on the I-405.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that make money by collecting premiums and minimizing claim payouts. After a lane change accident, you can expect the at-fault driver's insurance company to employ various tactics to reduce or deny your claim. Common strategies include claiming you were partially at fault, arguing your injuries aren't as severe as claimed, or offering a quick lowball settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries.

Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after the accident asking for a recorded statement. Be extremely cautious—anything you say can be used against you to minimize your claim. Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions designed to get you to admit partial fault or downplay your injuries. You have no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and you should consult with an attorney before doing so.

Many insurance companies will make an initial settlement offer within weeks of the accident. These offers are almost always far below the true value of your claim and are designed to close the case quickly before you've incurred all medical expenses or understand the long-term impact of your injuries. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot pursue additional compensation later, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought. This is why having an experienced attorney negotiate on your behalf is crucial to recovering fair compensation.

California law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. For most car accident cases, including lane change accidents, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in civil court. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you lose your right to pursue compensation through the court system, regardless of how strong your case may be.

There are limited exceptions to the two-year rule. If the accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, you must file an administrative claim with the appropriate government entity within six months of the accident. Only after this claim is denied can you file a lawsuit, and you must do so within six months of the denial or two years from the accident, whichever comes first.

If the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations is tolled (paused) until they turn 18, at which point they have two years to file a claim. However, parents can file claims on behalf of minor children at any time before the child turns 18. Given these complex rules and the time needed to investigate your case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies, it's important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

While California law doesn't require you to hire an attorney to pursue a personal injury claim, having experienced legal representation dramatically increases your chances of recovering fair compensation. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize payouts, and they know that unrepresented claimants often accept settlements far below what their cases are worth. Studies show that accident victims who hire attorneys recover, on average, 3.5 times more compensation than those who handle claims themselves. Read our client testimonials to see how we've helped others in similar situations.

An experienced car accident lawyer brings invaluable resources to your case. We work with accident reconstruction experts who can definitively establish how the accident occurred and who was at fault. We consult with medical experts who can testify about the nature and extent of your injuries and your future medical needs. We hire economists to calculate your lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation. These expert witnesses provide compelling evidence that maximizes your compensation.

Perhaps most importantly, having an attorney allows you to focus on your recovery while we handle all aspects of your claim. We deal with insurance companies, gather evidence, file all necessary paperwork, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we're prepared to take your case to trial. At Hurt Advice, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Learn more about our firm and our commitment to client success.

While you can't control other drivers' behavior, you can take steps to reduce your risk of being involved in a lane change accident. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes—make it a habit to physically turn your head and look over your shoulder. Adjust your side mirrors properly to minimize blind spots; your side mirrors should show a small sliver of your own vehicle and mostly the adjacent lane.

Use your turn signals every time you change lanes, even when you think no other vehicles are nearby. Signal at least 100 feet before making the lane change to give other drivers adequate warning. Avoid lingering in other drivers' blind spots—if you can't see the driver in their side mirror, they likely can't see you. When driving on multi-lane highways, be especially cautious around large trucks, which have much larger blind spots than passenger vehicles.

Stay focused on driving and eliminate distractions. Put your phone away, set your GPS before you start driving, and avoid eating or other activities that take your attention from the road. Maintain a safe following distance so you have time to react if the vehicle ahead makes a sudden lane change. Be especially cautious in heavy traffic, during poor weather conditions, and at night when visibility is reduced. Defensive driving can't prevent all accidents, but it significantly reduces your risk.

When you contact Hurt Advice after a lane change accident, we begin with a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case. We'll listen to your account of the accident, review any documentation you have, and provide an honest assessment of your legal options. If we believe you have a viable claim, we'll explain our contingency fee arrangement—you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Once you hire us, we immediately begin investigating your accident. We'll obtain the police report, gather witness statements, collect medical records, and document all your damages. We handle all communication with insurance companies so you don't have to worry about saying something that could harm your claim. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and explain each step in terms you can understand.

Our goal is to maximize your compensation through negotiation whenever possible, as this typically results in faster resolution. However, we're always prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience and a track record of successful verdicts. Throughout the process, you'll have direct access to your attorney, not just a paralegal or case manager. We treat every client with the respect and personal attention they deserve during this difficult time.