What is an Improper Lane Change?

Driving is not always an easy task. Even if you have decades of experience, you can still make errors.

An improper lane change is a common mistake that all drivers make. In fact, almost every driver has probably made a lane change when they shouldn’t have.

This is a type of reckless driving. Improper lane changes cause 9% of car accidents in the United States. These crashes cause 35,000 injuries and 6,000 deaths per year. Motorcyclists tend to cause most of these crashes.

Dangerous maneuvers when changing lanes include:

Failure to use turn signals.
Not checking surrounding traffic for cars.
Changing lanes in the middle of an intersection.
Crossing multiple lanes at once.
Drifting and not staying in your lane.
Improper merge onto the highway.

Causes of Lane Change Accidents

These accidents are often caused by:

Weaving in and out of traffic. Many people think that rushing will save time, so they look for gaps in traffic so they can get ahead of everyone. This means going from one lane to another, which increases the chances of a serious accident.
Not signaling. Use your turn signals. They are there to help you alert other drivers of your intentions. When you move into a lane without signaling, you surprise other drivers, which can lead to a crash. This is especially true when another driver wants to switch to the same lane as you.
Last-second lane changes. Drivers who are distracted or not prepared may end up having to change lanes at the last second. They may have to brake suddenly or speed up to get into the adjacent lane, which can confuse other drivers and cause a crash.
Some lane changes are unintended. A driver may be distracted by something, causing them to not pay attention to their driving. This can cause them to drift into the adjacent and hit a vehicle.

What Not to Do

Stay safe! Here are some things you shouldn’t do when changing lanes:

Cross multiple lanes at once. Do not cross more than one lane at a time. If you must cross multiple lanes, do it one at a time, and every carefully.
Change lanes at the last second. Plan your lane changes ahead of time. Don’t be distracted.
Change lanes without a turn signal. Let other drivers know your plans. Don’t surprise them and cause an accident.
Cut in front of other vehicles. Be mindful when changing lanes. Do not cut in front of large vehicles because they cannot stop in time. You could end up rear-ended.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

When drivers don’t drive safely, they can cause serious or even fatal accidents. Motorists need to change lanes in a safe manner.

One wrong move while driving can send your vehicle, as well as your life, into a tailspin. Get the help you need from a Houston lane change accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We understand the challenges of driving in Texas. Call 281-347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Source:

pts.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/improper_lane_change_dec_22.pdf