Changing lanes without signaling or checking blind spots is a common cause of auto accidents in California—and can be a strong basis for a personal injury claim, particularly if it results in a sideswipe, rear-end collision, or causes another vehicle to swerve or crash.
🔹 Relevant California Laws
- Unsafe Lane Change – CVC §22107
A driver must not change lanes until it is safe to do so and must signal the intention to change lanes “in a manner that is reasonable and safe.” - Failure to Signal – CVC §22108
Drivers must give a minimum 100-foot signal before changing lanes or turning.
Violating either law can be used to establish negligence per se in a personal injury case—meaning the violation itself helps prove legal fault.
🔹 Elements of a Personal Injury Case
To succeed in a personal injury claim, the injured party (plaintiff) must prove:
- The driver had a duty to operate the vehicle safely.
- The driver breached that duty by changing lanes unsafely.
- That breach caused the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.).
🔹 Common Accident Types from Unsafe Lane Changes
- Sideswipe collisions
- Multi-car pileups when one driver swerves to avoid the merging car
- Motorcycle crashes from vehicles not checking blind spots
- Rear-end crashes when a car brakes suddenly after being cut off
🔹 Comparative Negligence in California
Even if the injured person was partly at fault (e.g., speeding or distracted), California’s pure comparative negligence rule allows recovery of damages—reduced by their share of fault.
🔹 Types of Damages You Can Recover
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
🔹 Key Evidence for Unsafe Lane Change Claims
- Police report citing unsafe lane change or failure to signal
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Photos of vehicle damage and lane markings
- Vehicle telematics (from newer cars or commercial trucks)
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
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