Most people understand that car accidents can result from illegal behaviors, such as speeding and distracted driving. However, they can also happen as a result of legal maneuvers executed negligently. For example, drivers who carelessly pass other vehicles can cause lane-change crashes in Fairfax, Virginia.
Virginia law imposes liability on negligent drivers. The Fairfax lane change crash lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm help crash victims pursue fair compensation from at-fault drivers and their insurance companies. Contact us today at (571) 200-5424 for a free consultation.
How The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help After a Lane-Change Crash in Fairfax, VA
Our law firm has successfully secured more than $70 million in court awards and settlements for injured clients in Fairfax, Virginia. We have decades of experience representing those who have been hurt due to someone else’s wrongful or negligent acts.
Our team can provide the following support when you get injured in a lane-change crash caused by a negligent driver:
- Reviewing the evidence and discussing your legal options
- Filing a claim with the other driver’s insurer
- Negotiating a settlement based on your documented losses
- Taking your case to court if we can’t resolve your claim through negotiation
A lane-change car accident can result in serious injuries that require medical care and physical therapy. Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation with a Fairfax car accident lawyer and learn more about your right to seek compensation from the driver who caused your injuries.
Causes of Lane-Change Crashes in Fairfax
Lane-change crashes occur when drivers collide with one another during or after changing lanes.
Here are a few common crash scenarios:
- An inattentive or distracted driver drifts out of their lane
- A driver fails to signal a lane change, not giving other road users any warning
- A driver neglects to check their blind spots before changing lanes
- A driver cuts off another motorist while changing lanes
- A driver speeds up as another vehicle is making a lane change
- A driver passes on the right, disrupting other drivers’ expectations
In many instances, drivers execute lane changes without focusing their attention on what they are doing. For example, a driver might habitually change lanes while only looking at their mirrors rather than checking their blind spots. This sort of risky behavior could cause the driver to hit a vehicle in the adjacent lane.
Crash Types Resulting From Careless Lane Changes
Careless or improper lane changes can lead to several serious types of collisions, including:
- Head-On Collisions: These crashes may occur when a driver attempts to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road and enters oncoming traffic. They can also happen when a driver illegally uses a center turn lane to overtake a slower vehicle.
- Sideswipe Collisions: The most common type of lane-change accident, sideswipes occur when two vehicles traveling beside each other make side-to-side contact.
- Rear-End Collisions: Lane changes can also result in rear-end crashes. A driver may clip the rear of a vehicle ahead while accelerating to pass. In other situations, a driver who merges without leaving sufficient space may cause the vehicle behind them to collide with their rear bumper.
No matter the type of crash, careless lane changes can create sudden, dangerous conditions that leave innocent drivers facing serious injuries and costly damages.
Liability for Lane-Change Collisions Under Virginia Law
The liability for lane-change accidents falls on the negligent driver. In many cases, that’s the one making the lane change.
A driver who’s changing lanes is legally responsible for remaining in their lane until they can do so safely. If they maneuver without checking their blind spots or leaving space for the vehicle behind them, they may be to blame for the resulting crash.
At the same time, drivers are allowed to overtake slower traffic. Motorists are generally required to stay to the right unless they’re overtaking other vehicles. If a driver properly signals a lane change and executes it safely, the liability for any subsequent collision might fall on another road user.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Lane-Change Crash?
A lane-change collision can leave victims facing far more than vehicle repair costs.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning you may be barred from recovering compensation if you are found even partially at fault for the crash. Because of this, it is critical to have an experienced Fairfax personal injury lawyer evaluate your case, gather evidence, and protect you from unfair blame by insurance companies.
Contact Our Fairfax Lane Change Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Lane-change collisions in Virginia almost always result from careless driving. Contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss the cause of your crash and find out how we can help you pursue compensation for your injury-related losses. Our Fairfax lane change crash attorneys are standing by, ready to help.
