What might happen if you change lanes and don\t leave a safe distance between you and the truck

Who is At Fault for a Car Accident When Vehicles are Merging/Changing Lanes?

Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Car Accidents May 22, 2020

Our Maryland car accident lawyers discuss why these accidents often happen and how fault is determined in these cases. If you need help after a crash, request a free consultation to get started. 

Common Causes of Merging/Lane Change Accidents

A merging or lane change accident can happen for several reasons. The driver may misjudge the amount of space available between vehicles or the nearest vehicle to enter the lane. This can also happen when a driver does not merge his or her vehicle safely onto a roadway from a stop or yield position, resulting in the driver hitting another vehicle.

Other common causes of merging or lane change accidents include:

• Merging too quickly or slowly when entering the highway
• Changing lanes without using a turn signal
• Crossing multiple lanes of traffic, all at once
• Cutting off other vehicles to merge or change lanes

These accidents could result in a wide range of injuries, such as:

• Cuts and bruises
• Broken bones
• Whiplash

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Determining Liability

In most situations, the driver who merges or changes lanes is generally found at fault in the event of an accident. The driver must yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. If the driver fails to drive at the correct speed or crashes into a vehicle that is already traveling in the traffic lane, he or she can be found legally liable for any resulting injuries and property damage. However, some exceptions could exist.   

For instance, perhaps an aggressive driver intentionally hit the driver who was merging because he or she thought the driver was cutting him or her off. A driver may be changing lanes at the exact time that another vehicle is merging into the same lane. Other exceptions include drivers who are speeding, driving while distracted or driving while intoxicated. Two or more drivers may be at fault in these cases.

Since every merging and lane change accident is different, it is important to have your situation reviewed by a licensed car accident lawyer. He or she will be able to help determine cause and liability.

Preventing Merging/Lane Change Accidents

Merging or lane change accidents can be prevented if drivers follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles in a safe manner while sharing the road. To help reduce your risk of a crash, be sure to:

• Keep a safe distance – Avoid tailgating other vehicles and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you so that drivers can safely merge or change lanes. If drivers are merging into your lane, try to switch lanes if you can.
• Use turn signals – Always indicate your intent to merge or change lanes and give drivers enough time to see that you are signaling and make adjustments before making a move.
• Merge or change lanes gradually – Avoid sudden movements when merging or changing lanes that can catch other drivers off-guard and cause them to overreact.

Get in Touch With Our Firm Today

If you have suffered injuries due to a merging or lane change accident or another type of crash caused by another party, our lawyers at The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl are here to help. We are prepared to investigate your accident and fight on your behalf to pursue the compensation you need.

Our consultations are free and there are no upfront fees to retain our services. Our firm only receives payment if we are successful in obtaining compensation through a verdict or settlement.

Call us anytime over the phone at 410-244-7005 or online.  

To keep safe and reduce your risk of a crash if driving on the road with trucks, you need to be aware of the different types and sizes of trucks:

• rigid truck
• semi-trailer trucks (mainly used in urban areas because of their smaller size)
• road trains these are longer vehicles which vary in size e.g. double road train, triple road train, quad road train
• buses
• grain transporters
• livestock transporters
• tanker trucks
• cement trucks
• oversize vehicles.

See factsheet for common types of heavy vehicle (PDF, 92 KB). 

Driving safely with heavy vehicles

Truck drivers have a certain limitations when it comes to accelerating and slowing down. Heavy vehicles need more room to make turns and their blind spots are much larger than cars. When driving around trucks, keep in mind the following tips:

1. Stay out of the heavy vehicle blind spots

The blind spot diagram, in yellow shade, shows the blind spots are located: 

• immediately in front of the truck
• beside the truck driver’s door
• on the passenger side which runs the length of the truck and extends out three lanes
• directly behind the truck.

*Picture from the Australian Trucking Association (Road Ahead) website

Remember: if you cannot see the truck driver’s mirror, the truck driver cannot see you.

2. Travel at a safe following distance

Do not follow a heavy vehicle too closely, as you want to see what is ahead (e.g. debris and other cars). Keep in mind the following when travelling behind a heavy vehicle:

• Allow for time to stop safely. The table below shows comparisons of stopping distances for cars and trucks when travelling at the same speeds.

  Vehicle Speed	Stopping distance	(metres)
  	Car	Truck
  60km/h	73	83
  70km/h	91	105
  80km/h	111	130
  90km/h	133	156
  100km/h	157	185

• If driving in weather conditions such as the wind and rain always leave more than the recommended following distance.

3. Look out for turning heavy vehicles

Trucks need more space when turning.

Table and diagram from Government of South Australian drivers handbook website.

Heavy vehicles that have a DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE sign are allowed to take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections and roundabouts. Be prepared to give extra room when a heavy vehicle uses an indicator.

The Your Keys to Driving in Queenslandpublication is the road rules hand book for all drivers. It contains essential information about the Queensland driver licensing system and road rules.

4. Overtaking safely around heavy vehicles

• If travelling on the motorway/highway, try to use overtaking lanes whenever possible.
• Only overtake when the road ahead is clear.
• Be aware of strong wind conditions as you pass a heavy vehicle.
• When it is safe to overtake, indicate, accelerate and overtake quickly, without exceeding the speed limit.
• After overtaking, maintain your speed so the heavy vehicle does not need to brake.
• Never attempt to overtake a heavy vehicle or other long heavy vehicle on a curve or hill as your visibility is reduced.

When towing a trailer or caravan and a heavy vehicle approaches to overtake your vehicle:

• always maintain your speed and position until the truck starts to overtake
• if required, gently ease off your accelerator until the truck has passed and then return to your safe travelling speed.

5. Driving around road trains

Road trains can be up to 53.5 metres long or 10 cars lengths long and can sway from side-to-side as you pass, especially the last trailer. You can share the roads with road trains more safely by following these simple rules:

• Expect road trains to stay on the bitumen when you overtake.
• When approaching an oncoming road train on narrow roads slow down, pull on to the shoulder of the road and stop (if necessary). This may avoid unnecessary windscreen damage as well.
• When overtaking be aware of road side conditions e.g. soft shoulders, guide posts and wildlife.

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