Trucks are large vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which can make driving around them that little bit riskier. When truck drivers make lane changes, they have a responsibility to ensure the road is clear, check blind spots, and signal intent. However, too many truck lane changes result in horrific fatal accidents that leave victims in financial turmoil and significant pain. We come face to face with victims every day, so we understand the devastation caused by erroneous lane changes, which is why we’re committed to raising awareness and making those responsible take accountability.
Different Types of Truck Lane Change Collisions
Lane change truck collisions can occur when either a truck or passenger vehicle makes a lane change. According to road accident experts, there are two types of lane change accidents: rear-end collisions and sideswipe accidents.
In a sideswipe accident, one vehicle changes lanes while another is driving alongside it. The result can be truly catastrophic and often leads to more vehicles getting caught up in the chaos, especially if one of the vehicles bleeds into another lane of traffic.
Rear-end crashes often occur just after a lane change. If the car behind is traveling at speed and doesn’t expect the negligent driver to pull out into their path, they can end up flying into the back. If a passenger vehicle hits the back of a truck, the likely scenario is an underride accident, which can rip a car’s roof clean off and leave the driver and passengers with serious injuries – or death in the worst case.
When Are Truck Drivers at Fault?
Regardless of external circumstances, truck drivers involved in accidents are almost always found to have at least partial liability, and it’s no different in lane change crashes. However, other factors also play a role including wet roads, poorly maintained road surfaces, and fog.
To determine liability in lane change accident cases, our expert truck accident attorneys conduct thorough investigations. We speak to witnesses, liaise with the police, communicate with accident reconstruction professionals, analyze CCTV, and pick apart medical records.
Truck drivers are commonly at fault if they change lanes without signaling, switch lanes while driving over the speed limit, or make dangerous changes at intersections. Another clear sign of negligence is a truck driver weaving erratically between other road users. In almost every case, truck accidents caused by lane changes can be avoided easily. However, pressure to meet deadlines and satisfy employers often takes over.
When Is the Passenger at Fault?
Drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles almost always come off much worse than truck drivers, but that doesn’t mean these drivers never hold any of the liability. For example, if a motorist doesn’t fully understand how a truck maneuvers, they may not accurately gauge how much space to leave behind the truck. Given the size of a truck, they have much larger blind spots than regular vehicles, and driving in them can be hazardous.
When drivers are at fault for lane change accidents, it’s often because they’ve changed lanes and moved in front of a truck without leaving enough space. Even though truck drivers can react by performing an emergency stop, they often don’t have enough time to avoid a collision because they take much longer to fully stop; the resulting crash is a potentially fatal rear-end.
Common Injuries Caused by Lane Change Truck Accidents
Passenger vehicles don’t stand much chance when they’re involved in lane change accidents, which is why the extent of injuries is often permanent. The most common types of injuries caused by lane change accidents and other truck driver errors include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Sudden damage to the head can cause disabilities or death.
- Spinal cord injuries: Any damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis, which can be permanent.
- Back and neck injuries: Fragile bones in the neck and back can be broken – whiplash is a common issue caused by impact.
- Burns: Trucks are more likely to set on fire, especially if they’re carrying hazardous materials – the burns experienced by victims can be truly horrific.
- Lacerations, broken bones, bruises, and cuts: Some cuts and bruises caused by truck accidents can lead to permanent damage; this is never classified as “getting off easy”.
- Internal injuries: Even if your bones are left unscathed, there may be internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
- Disfigurement and amputation: Depending on how the truck hits a vehicle, other drivers and passengers may end up suffering traumatic amputation and disfigurement.
As you can see, truck accidents can lead to truly horrific injuries, but some victims aren’t that fortunate. Unfortunately, around 5,750 people lose their lives in truck accidents every year, which leaves behind a devastated family that deserves to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
What Damages Can You Claim for Following a Lane Change Truck Accident?
Being left with any of the injuries outlined above often involves expensive medical care, loss of earnings, and changes to quality of life. To make those liable take accountability and receive compensation, you can file a claim for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. The most common economic damages include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Transportation
- Property damage
- Legal costs
To successfully claim non-economic damages, you’ll need plenty of evidence alongside an accurate and fair value for compensation. When you choose to rely on our expert attorneys, we’ll take care of everything as long as you’re 100% transparent with us.
Non-economic damages include:
- Fear, humiliation, or anxiety
- Pain and suffering – emotional and physical
- Disfigurement and scarring
- A loss of joy in life
- Mental distress
These types of damages are difficult to prove, but they can make up a substantial portion of compensation. We will do everything in our power to prove non-economic damages, and then we’ll use an accurate formula to determine compensation.
A lane change accident involving a truck can be devastating for drivers and passengers of other vehicles. Truck drivers are at fault in the majority of circumstances, but passenger vehicle drivers may share responsibility.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a lane change accident involving a truck, visit the Law Offices of Marc S. Albert at the following locations:
- Astoria – 32-72 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103
- Brooklyn – 7113 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209
- Syosset – 175 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791
Or call now for a free consultation on (347) 472-5080.