Who Is At Fault in a Lane-Change Accident?

February 2, 2025

Lane-change accidents are common on today’s busy roads, but figuring out who’s at fault in these cases can be complicated. Doing so typically comes down to understanding each driver’s actions and the specific circumstances they found themselves in.

Understanding Lane-Change Accidents

A lane-change accident generally involves one vehicle’s encroaching into another’s space in a particular lane. It can happen for a number of reasons. Drivers might fail to check their blind spots or use their turn signals. Others may be distracted by their phones while behind the wheel, and changing lanes too quickly or slowly relative to the flow of traffic can cause problems.

Determining fault following a lane-change accident depends on which driver acted carelessly. Some of the factors that must be considered include:

• Right of Way: Drivers already in a lane have the right of way; if another vehicle pulls out of their lane unsafely, the driver changing lanes is usually responsible.
• Traffic Laws: Certain violations, such as crossing a solid line or failing to yield, are strong indicators of fault.
• Vehicle Positions: If the crash happens at the front or rear of a vehicle, it may suggest one of the two drivers wasn’t paying attention to their surroundings.

Various forms of evidence can help determine who is at fault in these accidents. Dashcam footage is always great to have, and witness statements from other drivers or pedestrians can back up your account of the incident. Likewise, police officers at the scene usually make notes of skid marks, debris, and other factors that can indicate who caused the accident.

Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident When Changing Lanes?

In general, the driver who merges or changes lanes is at fault for a lane-change car accident, as well as any driver who does so recklessly. Drivers changing lanes or merging into traffic have a duty to ensure it is safe to do so.

Pennsylvania law states: “Upon a roadway, no person shall turn a vehicle or move from one traffic lane to another or enter the traffic stream from a parked position unless and until the movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal….” (Title 75 Pa. C.S.A. Vehicles § 3334)

To be “reasonably safe” when making a lane change, drivers must have ample space to maneuver into the lane without risking an accident. They must signal the lane change well in advance so surrounding vehicles are aware of their intentions. They must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles and drive at the correct speed to do so safely.

Who Is at Fault if Someone Merges Into You?

Drivers who fail to yield as required or drive at the correct speed, who drive recklessly, or who crash into your vehicle that is already traveling in a lane can be found at fault and therefore legally liable for any resulting injuries and property damage that occurs from the accident.

Common causes of merging or lane-change accidents include:

• Driving negligently or recklessly, not paying attention to the environment or other cars on the road
• Driving while distracted
• Excessive passing of other vehicles on the road
• Driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Merging too quickly or slowly when entering the highway
• Failure to judge the amount of space needed to merge or change lanes
• Failure to use turn signals when changing lanes
• Crossing multiple lanes of traffic
• Cutting off other vehicles to merge or change lanes.

Wapner Newman attorneys are aware of the behaviors that lead to lane-change accidents and will fight for your rights when someone merges into you.

What if Both Drivers Are Responsible?

Sometimes, both parties will share some level of accountability. In Pennsylvania, situations like these are addressed through the state’s comparative negligence laws. If you’re found to be less than 51% at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but the amount could be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.

If you’ve been in a lane-change accident, call Wapner Newman today at (215) 569-0900 to discuss your case.

When Someone Else’s Fault in Changing Lanes Causes a Car Accident, Our Attorneys Can Help You Get Compensation

After an accident with a driver who makes an unsafe lane change, our attorneys can file a personal injury claim for compensatory damages for your injuries. In a successful case, you may receive a damage award that includes payments for your:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Property damage for your vehicle or other property involved in an accident
• Lost earnings if you are unable to work due to your injury
• Future lost income and ability to earn
• Estimated future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability.

To win your case, our attorneys would have to prove the following elements:

• Duty: The driver owed you a duty of care to merge or change lanes safely.
• Breach: The driver breached this duty by making an unsafe lane change.
• Cause: This unsafe behavior caused your accident.
• Damages: You suffered damages as a result.

To prove another party was at fault for the accident, we would:

• Investigate the case and gather evidence such as videos from surveillance cameras, eyewitness accounts, police and medical reports, photographs of the crash scene, both vehicles’ damages, and skid and tire marks on the road
• Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and testify on your behalf and experts to testify as to the extent of your injuries and how they negatively impact your life.

Comparative Fault

In some lane-change situations, both drivers share fault for an accident. In Pennsylvania, a percentage of the fault is then assigned to each driver. If the court finds that you are partially at fault for the accident, it will reduce your final settlement amount by that percentage. As long as you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover compensation for the fault percentage the other driver is assigned. For example, if the settlement is for $100,000 and you are 30 percent at fault, you will be awarded $70,000.

Protecting Your Rights After a Lane-Change Accident

If you’re involved in a lane-change accident, there are steps you can take to safeguard your legal rights. Your health and safety take top priority, though, so call for an ambulance to get checked out. Even if you feel fine, some injuries like brain trauma and internal bleeding won’t always show up right away. You’ll not only protect your health but also start the chain of evidence by getting hospital records to document your injuries.

You’ll also want to exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver. Take pictures and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road signs or conditions. Don’t forget to file a police report so you have an official, unbiased record of the incident.

Even if your case seems straightforward, it’s best to reach out to a personal injury attorney with experience in car accident claims. Having legal support will help ensure your rights are protected as you pursue compensation for your losses.

When to Hire Legal Help

Lane-change accidents can lead to hefty financial burdens with medical bills, lost time at work, and the repair or replacement of your vehicle. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but an attorney can guide you through the claims process and help you go after the compensation you’re entitled to.

Take Control After a Lane-Change Accident

Lane-change accidents are often avoidable, but they can happen even to the most careful of drivers. Determining fault requires a thorough consideration of the circumstances, evidence, and traffic laws. By taking the right steps after a crash and hiring legal help, you can protect yourself and work toward a fair resolution.

Don’t let a lane-change accident disrupt your life. Call Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 for a free consultation of your case.