Unsafe lane-change accidents occur in the City of San Bernardino and in San Bernardino County. They happen on highways and local roads. If you’re injured, you may have the right to monetary compensation.

Our experienced San Bernardino car accident lawyers at LA Century Law explain unsafe lane change accidents in San Bernardino and what you need to know.

What Is Considered an Unsafe Lane Change Under California Law?

Under California law, an unsafe lane change occurs when a person changes lanes when it’s not reasonably safe to do so or without signaling, if required.

A lane change is any movement that departs from the direct course or travels right or left on the roadway. A driver may change lanes only when the driving maneuver can be made with reasonable safety. If the movement might affect any other vehicle, the driver must signal before moving.

California Vehicle Code § 22107 is the unsafe lane change law in California. You may also hear an unsafe lane change referred to as an improper turn. However, other laws address right turns and yielding.

In addition to state law, San Bernardino County has local ordinances. There are traffic ordinances that address turning maneuvers, but they primarily concern designating turn signals and lane markers.

Common Causes of Unsafe Lane Change Accidents in San Bernardino

Common causes of lane change accidents in San Bernardino, CA include:

• Changing lanes when another vehicle is present
• Misjudging the speed of other vehicles
• Failing to signal before changing lanes
• Traveling out of a lane to avoid a stopped vehicle or other obstruction
• Road rage, aggressive driving
• Not checking blind spots before maneuvering
• Moving into a turn lane too early
• Distracted driving
• Rushing, impatience
• Manuevering around slower-moving traffic, speed differentials
• Allowing someone to pull into traffic when they don’t have a clear view
• Heavy rain or fog that impairs visibility

The causes of lane change accidents vary and include poor judgment, carelessness, and road conditions. A driver may have good or bad intentions when they make an unsafe lane change. Either way, a driver who causes an unsafe lane-change accident may be liable for compensation.

Who Is Liable in an Unsafe Lane-Change Accident in California?

Usually, the driver who causes the unsafe lane-change accident is liable in California. There may be other parties who are also at fault.

Parties who may be liable for an unsafe lane change collision include:

• The driver who didn’t change lanes safely.
• A driver who was speeding in their lane of travel.
• Another driver whose vehicle lights are inoperable.
• The government for a pothole or other road obstruction.
• The government for unclear road markings or poor road design.
• Someone who obstructed traffic.
• The driver in the second lane who was distracted and didn’t have time to react.

Usually, fault starts by looking at the party who executed the lane change to determine whether they did so properly. Often, the accident itself is strong proof that they did not have time and space to execute the lane change safely. However, it’s not automatic that the person doing the lane change maneuver is always at fault.

Traffic tickets and civil liability

In addition to making someone liable for an accident, an unsafe lane change may result in a traffic ticket. The person may be required to pay a fine. They may receive a point on their driver’s license. The driver may request a hearing on the ticket. Whether or not the driver is held responsible for the traffic ticket doesn’t necessarily determine the outcome of a civil action. The car accident claim will evaluate all possible causes of fault to determine accident liability.

Common Injuries Caused by Unsafe Lane Change Accidents

The California Highway Patrol reports a five-year average of 7,640 injury accidents per year, in which the primary crash factor was unsafe lane change. In the same five-year period, there was an average of 55 deaths each year in California because of unsafe lane change accidents. Thousands more were injured.

San Bernardino County reports that 14,615 people were hurt or killed in traffic accidents in one year, including all causes. The County says that improper lane change is the primary crash factor in 21% of traffic collisions in unincorporated San Bernardino County. In collisions where someone is seriously hurt or killed, improper lane change is the primary factor 27% of the time.

What To Do After an Unsafe Lane Change Accident in San Bernardino

If you are involved in an unsafe lane-change accident in San Bernardino, stop your vehicle. Report the accident to law enforcement immediately.

Prioritize your medical care. Preserve the evidence at the accident scene as best you can. Get identification and contact information from other drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Take photos and videos of the scene. Observe the scene for road conditions, traffic, and weather.

Follow your medical care instructions. Save information related to the accident, such as dates of medical care and bills.

If you received medical care for injuries, contact a San Bernardino unsafe lane change accident lawyer.

How To Prove Fault in a Lane Change Accident Claim

Proving fault in a lane change accident claim means evidence, including:

• Damage to vehicles
• Admissions of the other driver
• Witness observations
• Camera footage
• Location of debris
• Vehicle event recorders
• Road maps and traffic control information

Accident reconstruction and demonstrative images may help visualize the accident.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Lane Change Accident?

Compensation that you can recover after a lane change accident may include medical bills, property damage, lost income, incidental expenses, pain and suffering, mental injury, and emotional anguish. Several factors may affect the value of your claim.

How a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

LA Century Law is a leader in San Bernardino car accident legal representation. From the time you contact us, our lawyers handle gathering evidence, building the claim, communicating with the insurance company, and valuing your case. With a 99% success rate, we’re proud of our track record helping people get their compensation.

Talk to a lawyer

Have you or a loved one been in an unsafe lane-change accident in San Bernardino? LA Century Law represents car accident victims throughout California. Call or message us now.