Seattle Unsafe Lane Change Attorneys
Request Free ConsultationHolding Negligent Parties Liable in Unsafe Lane Change Accidents in Seattle
Every year, thousands of motor vehicle accidents occur in the State of Washington. These collisions result in detrimental changes in the lives of victims, including serious injuries, temporary to permanent disabilities, and death in the worst cases.
As per the Washington State Department of Transportation, the total number of crashes that occurred on Washington roads in 2018 was 15,703. A significant contributor to the prevalence of motor vehicle accidents in Washington is unsafe lane changes and aggressive driving behaviors.
If you have suffered an unsafe lane change accident in the Greater Seattle region, there may be compensation available to you. For help taking the first steps towards recovery, contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers for a team of committed Seattle car accident attorneys who are dedicated to holding negligent drivers responsible for the damages they have caused you.
Call (206) 312-0954 or contact us online for skilled legal guidance and a FREE confidential consultation.
What Constitutes an Unsafe Lane Change?
As the roads and highways of Seattle become more traffic-ridden, obeying the rules of the road and being a vigilant motorist becomes increasingly more imperative for the safety of all drivers. Each driver is responsible for maintaining a certain level of care for others on the road and taking the proper precautions to keep themselves safe as well.
When a negligent driver fails to maintain this duty of care, they pose a danger to others on the road.
Cutting someone off in traffic is a common type of unsafe lane change behavior. However, an unsafe lane change accident can also be the result of a wide number of improper driving acts.
Causes of unsafe lane change accidents can include:
- Failure to look properly for cars in the lane you are moving into.
- Failure to provide proper and timely signal when changing lanes.
- Making a lane change into an inappropriate lane (ex. lanes where trucks are not permitted).
- Driving in the middle of two lanes for an extended amount of time.
- Untimely lane changes.
- Misjudging the proximity to another vehicle.
- Driver fatigue.
- Distracted driving.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you or a loved one has been injured or harmed in an accident with a motorist who attempted an aggressive or unsafe lane change, know that you have legal options and a right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
Contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers right now at (206) 312-0954 to schedule your FREE confidential consultation.
Liability in Truck Accidents Caused By Unsafe Lane Changes
Day and night, large trucks can be seen traveling on Seattle roadways. A vehicle of this size takes extra training and caution to maneuver, especially if carrying HAZMAT.
A collision with a large truck can completely change your world and leave you or a loved one with a lifetime of health issues including serious injuries, disabilities, or even result in the loss of life.
As per the State of Washington’s Vehicle Code RCW 46.61.140, an individual may be at fault in an accident if they failed to ascertain that they could safely move into another lane. Thus, if a truck merges into your lane without properly signaling or through poor timing, the truck driver – and potentially their employer – can be held responsible for the accident.
Large truck companies have considerable insurance policies in case that such accidents ensue. That means that if they are responsible for your injury in an unsafe lane change accident, you should be compensated fairly.
If you or a loved one is a victim of an unsafe lane change accident caused by a driver who attempted an aggressive or unsafe maneuver on the road, you may be entitled to compensation for but not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages (in cases in which a life is lost)
You do not have to face these large companies on your own. With the right legal help, you can hold all responsible parties accountable for their negligence and pursue the means of recovery through legal action.
Call (206) 312-0954 right now to get started on the road to recovery. Our Seattle-based attorneys are ready to help you secure the results you deserve.
Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Unsafe Lane Changes
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to unsafe lane changes and the chances for such accidents to be fatal are increased given the exposed nature of the motorcyclist.
When a driver makes an abrupt or inappropriate lane change onto the path of a motorcyclist, the biker is generally forced to act in a way in which steering and control become much more difficult. Even unsafe lane changes between two other vehicles can pose a threat to a motorcyclist.
Common injuries that can result in a motorcycle cycle accident caused by improper lane changes can include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns, cuts, and scrapes
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Death
Many collisions with motorcycles occur when a driver has failed to ensure a clear lane before switching. Other incidents include making a lane switch with poor distance judgment or even failure to see a biker due to distracted driving.
Since motorcycles are not as visible as motor vehicles, extra precaution must be taken in order to avoid such collisions. Performing a proper visual check and giving motorcycles enough distance to operate can reduce the risk of a collision.
The Consequences of Unsafe Lane Changing
A vital reason why one should maintain a level of care while driving is to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on the road.
Improper lane changing is categorized as a serious traffic offense in the State of Washington. This aggressive driving maneuver can have a variety of consequences for both the driver committing the act and other drivers in proximity to the negligent driver.
The following are the possible consequences of making improper lane changes and engaging in aggressive driving:
- Potential harm to yourself and others.
- Fines up to $250 may be issued for unsafe lane changes.
- Accidents and violations may remain on record for up to five years.
- Increased insurance rates after an accident.
Victims of lane change accidents should know that with the proper establishment of fault, they may hold liable parties accountable. Contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers at (206) 312-0954 to bring those who harmed you to justice.
Do I Need an Attorney Even If It’s Obvious I Wasn’t at Fault?
Although in some cases, the at-fault party may be easy to identify, payment for damages can be hard to come by. For instance, the insurers of trucking companies often do not want to pay for the truck driver’s mistakes and may attempt to devalue your claim.
It is imperative that you (the plaintiff) have the facts and evidence needed to support your claim against the negligent party (the defendant) in order to secure compensation. Our attorneys have developed a finely tuned method of seeking essential evidence to hold liable parties legally responsible.
The best way to ensure a smooth case is to: secure hard facts using evidence retrieved from the accident site, obtaining help from accident reconstructionists, gathering eye-witness accounts, and having an experienced legal team who have the skills to successfully represent you in litigation.
Through assessment of Washington’s motor traffic laws and analysis of actions taken by each party involved in the accident, our attorneys will determine liability and hold negligent parties responsible.
Seattle Unsafe Lane Change Accident Attorneys Who Can Help You Secure Compensation
Have you suffered devastating injuries in a lane changing accident caused by a reckless driver in the Seattle region or State of Washington? Seek the knowledgeable and determined team at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers to help you secure the justice and compensation you need to begin the healing process.
We know that the impact of a motor vehicle accident can have a serious impact on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The process of recovering damages to deal with the many expenses that can result from a car crash can be stressful, even more so when you’re having to deal with difficult insurance companies.
When you seek guidance and support from the Seattle car accident lawyers with Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured that we devote the attention and care that your claim warrants. At Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers, we take pride in delivering the best in customer service and meeting the needs of each of our clients.
Although no amount of money can erase the pain that victims of car accidents can experience, we aim to serve justice for victims affected in the Seattle area and Washington.
Call Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers at (206) 312-0954 right now for a FREE, no-obligation case review. There is hope and it starts with Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers.