Changing lanes without looking or without enough room to avoid affecting the flow of traffic is a common factor in accidents on Florida’s highways and in busy urban and suburban areas. Changing lanes unsafely is a form of driver negligence, and drivers who cause accidents by performing unsafe lane changes can be held fully responsible for victims’ injuries and losses.
As someone who has been seriously injured in an car accident, it is important to know your legal rights. You have the right to seek medical attention from a doctor of your choosing (and it is important that you see a doctor right away if you haven’t already), and you have the right to hire an attorney to deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Florida is somewhat unique in that it follows a “no-fault” auto insurance system. Under this system, your first source of compensation is your own personal injury protection (PIP) policy, and you can only seek compensation under the at-fault driver’s policy if you have suffered a serious and permanent injury. As a result, to make sure the insurance companies treat you fairly, and to make sure you collect maximum compensation for your injury-related losses, it is critical to have experienced legal representation.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident resulting from an unsafe lane change, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Prescription costs and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of society, companionship, consortium and enjoyment of life
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR AN UNSAFE LANE CHANGE
In Florida, all drivers have an obligation to operate their vehicles safely and to avoid putting others in harm’s way. This includes looking in all directions before merging or changing lanes. When drivers perform unsafe lane changes, they can sideswipe other vehicles or create situations where rear-end collisions become unavoidable, and these accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries with long term physical, emotional and financial consequences.
[View source.]
