If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent lane change in Vista, California, Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Lane change crashes can cause serious injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Our team of Vista car accident lawyers can help you figure out who caused the accident, collect evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement. If we can’t get you full compensation, we will file a personal injury lawsuit and go to trial.
Contact our personal injury law firm for a free consultation at (619) 344-0360 to learn more about how we can help.
How Can Our Vista Car Accident Lawyers Help If You Were Injured in a Lane Change Crash?
We understand that you may feel vulnerable and lost after a lane change crash in Vista, CA. Depending on the severity of your injuries, your life may be turned upside down.
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers has helped injured Vista residents since 2012. Our Vista car accident attorneys treat every client with compassion as we fight to hold negligent drivers accountable and get you fair compensation. To date, we have recovered over $40 million for our clients.
When you hire us to take on your lane change accident case, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Negotiate with auto insurance companies on your behalf
- Calculate your total damages
- File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
- Go to trial and represent you in court
We understand that every case is different. We tailor our representation to exactly what our clients need. If you want to hear more about how we can help you create a winning strategy, call our Vista law office to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Lane Change Crashes in Vista, California
There are many different causes of lane change collisions in Vista.
Some of the most common causes of lane change crashes include:
- Distracted driving while changing lanes
- Not checking mirrors before changing lanes
- Having a car in the blind spot
- Failing to signal before a lane change
- Overtaking a vehicle in the adjacent lane (changing lanes without enough space between the cars)
- Poor weather conditions (like rain or fog)
- DUI driving
- Two simultaneously merging cars
Sometimes, lane change crashes have multiple factors that cause the accident. They aren’t always cut and dry. For example, a driver might fail to signal before a lane change while driving in poor weather conditions.
Common Injuries Caused By Lane Change Crashes
Lane change crashes can cause major or minor injuries. Usually, the severity of the injury depends on the speed of the cars, the angle of the collision, and the safety features of the vehicles.
Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Chest injuries
- Internal bleeding and trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Neck and back injuries
Of course, it is possible to have different types of injuries or a combination of them. Some people may not even notice their injuries until days, weeks, or months after a crash.
You must seek medical treatment immediately after a lane change crash, even if you don’t think you need it. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, may only be clear to a medical professional and can get much worse without treatment.
Who Is Responsible for a Lane Change Accident in Vista, CA?
Who is liable for a lane change crash depends on how the accident happened. If a driver makes an unsafe lane change, like failing to signal or not checking the mirrors, they are most likely responsible for the accident.
However, sometimes the driver changing lanes is not responsible. For example, they signal for adequate time and have enough space to merge, but then the driver in the adjacent lane unexpectedly speeds up to prevent them from changing lanes. In this case, the other driver may be responsible for the crash.
Another example is if the driver in the adjacent lane is distracted or drunk and they don’t pay attention to the signal.
Pure Comparative Fault in California
When both parties are responsible for causing an accident, California applies pure comparative fault. Under this rule, the plaintiff can still recover money for their losses if they contributed to the crash. However, it is reduced by the percentage of responsibility that they bear for the accident.
For example, if you don’t check your mirrors before changing lanes, but the other driver is distracted and speeding, you may both be partially responsible for the accident. If you are 50% at fault, your damages are reduced by 50%.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Vista Car Accident Lawsuit?
In Vista, California, you typically have two years from the date of the lane change crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, it’s best to hire a lawyer before getting close to the deadline. Most commonly, you’ll be negotiating with insurance companies to pay for your losses. If you can’t agree on a settlement, you will file a lawsuit. You want to ensure you have plenty of time to prepare your case before filing.
Contact Our Vista Lane Change Crash Lawyers Today for a Free Initial Consultation
It might feel overwhelming to think about your legal rights and obligations, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re ready to get more information, contact Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation with a Vista lane change crash attorney. We are available 24/7, and we’re ready to get started on your case.
