Car accident while changing lanes

All motorists have a duty to exercise care and caution when driving, and this is particularly important when changing lanes. If a driver fails to notice other vehicles or gauge their speed adequately, they could easily cause a devastating crash.

If you have been injured because another driver failed to change lanes safely, you could be owed significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, repairs to your vehicle, and more. Here, we’ll discuss how lane change accidents happen and how you could seek answers and justice after a crash caused by someone else’s negligence.

Who Is at Fault in an Accident When Changing Lanes?

Drivers are responsible for obeying all of the rules of the road to protect themselves and others. If a driver failed to follow Alabama traffic laws while changing lanes, they could be held accountable for your injuries and other losses.

In some instances, however, the driver who was changing lanes might only be partially to blame. If another person was also negligent in some way, they could be liable as well. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, not having your mirrors properly adjusted, or even driving too slowly could significantly increase the risk of an accident.

Unsafe Lane Change Accident Statistics

Failing to change lanes safely is one of the main causes of car accidents in Alabama and across the United States. In one recent year, improper lane change or usage was the fourth leading cause of all fatal crashes in Alabama, causing a total of 14,276 crashes, of which 70 were fatal.

Unsafe Lane Change Laws and Violations

Alabama traffic laws outline specific rules and restrictions drivers must follow when changing lanes or merging. These include: · Drivers must stay within a single lane and may only change lanes after making sure they can do so safely. · A driver may only change lanes or make a turn if they can do so safely and must use the appropriate signal to indicate their intention to change lanes or turn. · A driver must pass another vehicle on the left at a safe distance. · When passing another vehicle, a driver may only move into another lane if there are no oncoming vehicles, and they can return to their original lane at a distance of more than 200 feet from oncoming vehicles. · Drivers being overtaken should not increase their speed to prevent another vehicle from passing.

Injuries Caused by Unsafe Lane Change Accidents

Carelessness or inattention while changing lanes can lead to severe injury accidents. Some common injuries caused by lane change accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Back, spine, and spinal cord injuries
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Broken bones and fractures
• Cuts and lacerations
• Burns
• Soft tissue injuries

Some of these injuries might require emergency medical treatment, and many could result in long-term consequences, such as paralysis, scarring, disfigurement, or other disabling conditions.

How the Personal Injury Attorneys at Stokes Stemle in Montgomery, AL Can Help

Here at Stokes Stemle, LLC, we care about your physical, emotional, and financial recovery after a crash. We know what you’re going through, and we’ll be ready to stand up and fight for the fair compensation you need and deserve. Our experienced Montgomery injury lawyers will be ready to discuss the specifics of your case when you call us or reach out to us online for a free case evaluation.

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Can Passengers File an Injury Claim If They Are Involved in a Car Accident?

You’re riding in the car with an acquaintance, friend, or loved one when all of a sudden, you’re involved in a car accident. You had absolutely no control over this traumatic event, and now you’re fighting to recover from the severe injuries you sustained in the accident. You’re not only dealing with the pain and trauma from your injuries and the accident. You’ve also been forced to deal with the financial fallout from having to miss work and being billed for exorbitant medical costs associated with your accident-related medical care.

This is unfair to you, and you’re probably wondering if there is any way you can be compensated for your injuries. You might wonder, “Can a passenger in a car accident sue?” Fortunately, the law allows you to hold the at-fault party accountable for injuries you suffer because of their negligence. Here, we’ll discuss your rights as a passenger in a car accident.

Can I File a Claim If I Was a Passenger in an Alabama Car Accident?

If you were a passenger injured in a car accident caused by another motorist, you could file an injury claim with the other driver’s insurance company. If the other driver who caused the accident was uninsured, you could file a lawsuit against that driver for compensation.

If you are a passenger in a car accident in Alabama and the driver of the vehicle you were in caused the accident, the process to receive compensation may become more complicated because of Alabama’s guest passenger law. An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer can explain whether this law and any exceptions exist.

Alabama’s Guest Passenger Law Explained

The state of Alabama has what’s known as a “Guest Passenger Law.” Uncommon in most states, the law requires passengers who are involved in a car accident only to sue the driver of the vehicle they were in if certain exceptions exist. A knowledgeable Alabama car accident lawyer can review your situation and determine if any exceptions exist and whether you may be able to file a claim against the other driver.

Compensation You Can Recover if You Were Injured as a Passenger in a Car Accident

If you are eligible to pursue compensation for the injuries you sustained in the car accident, you may be compensated for:

• Your medical bills
• Your future medical treatment costs
• Your lost wages or income
• Your mental anguish, pain, and suffering

Talk to Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Montgomery, AL Today

If you were injured or your loved one was killed as a passenger in a car accident in Alabama, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

The Alabama laws regarding compensation in passenger accident claims can be complicated. Fortunately, the Montgomery car accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC will be ready to help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us or reach out to us online today for a free consultation to discuss your case today.

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Is Alabama a No-Fault Car Insurance State?

There are two main types of car insurance systems in the United States: no-fault systems and fault-based systems. There are key differences between them, so it’s important to understand which system your state follows and what options you may have to seek compensation after a car accident. Keep reading to learn more about Alabama’s liability insurance laws and why fault matters when you’re filing a claim.

What Is the Difference Between Fault and No-Fault States?

Roughly a dozen states have adopted no-fault insurance systems, which are designed to help lower car insurance rates by reducing the number of accident-related claims that end up in court. In a no-fault system, each party’s insurance provider is typically expected to pay for accident-related medical costs regardless of who was at fault.

No-fault systems allow accident victims to recover the money they need to pay for minor injuries quickly without having to prove the other driver was at fault. However, no-fault systems also typically prevent victims from suing negligent drivers unless the severity of their injuries meets certain thresholds. This can make it more difficult to obtain fair compensation for car accident injuries.

The majority of states have fault-based auto insurance systems. In a fault-based system, drivers who are responsible for car accidents are considered financially responsible for the damage they cause. Drivers in at-fault states are typically required to carry liability insurance. Liability insurance providers pay for the costs of any injuries or other damage caused by their policyholders.

Compensation from a third-party liability insurance claim against an at-fault driver is only available up to the limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If an accident victim in a fault-based state cannot obtain fair compensation from a liability insurance claim, they have the right to seek compensation in court by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Is Alabama a No-Fault State?

No. Alabama is a fault-based state. This means you have the right to demand compensation in a third-party insurance claim if you are injured in a car accident caused by an at-fault driver. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your accident-related medical bills, vehicle repair expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Is the Minimum Amount of Alabama Auto Insurance I Have to Carry?

All registered motorists are required to maintain mandatory minimum liability insurance coverage on their vehicles equal to:

• $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person
• $50,000 for death or bodily injury to more than one person
• $25,000 or damage or destruction of property

This insurance covers damages stemming from accidents caused by their negligence.

What Happens If You Share Fault in a Car Accident?

If the other driver alleges you were partially at fault in a car accident, Alabama’s negligence laws could make it difficult to obtain fair compensation for your losses.

Alabama has a “pure contributory negligence” doctrine in place, which prevents you from recovering any money for your losses if you contributed to the accident in any way. If the other driver or their insurance company can show that you were even one percent responsible for an Alabama car accident, you could be legally barred from financial recovery and forced to pay out-of-pocket for your own losses.

This is why it’s so important to work with a knowledgeable car accident attorney who can protect your rights and demonstrate the other driver’s liability.

Call Our Attorneys for Help Getting the Compensation You Deserve

When you need a car accident lawyer in Alabama, look no further than Stokes Stemle, LLC. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate Alabama’s insurance system and demand the compensation you deserve after an Alabama car crash. Get in touch with us to learn more in a free initial consultation.

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