In California, if a driver makes a sudden, unsafe lane change that causes other vehicles to swerve and crash, that driver may be held liable for resulting personal injuries and damages, even if their vehicle was not physically involved in the collision. These are often called “no-contact” accident claims and fall under negligence law.
⚖️ Legal Basis: Unsafe Lane Changes & Chain-Reaction Crashes
1. Violation of California Vehicle Code § 22107
This law states:
“No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and only after giving an appropriate signal.”
🔹 A sudden lane change without signaling or checking for safety is a clear violation and often establishes negligence per se—automatic presumption of negligence due to breaking the law.
2. Proximate Cause Without Contact
Even if the lane-changing vehicle doesn’t collide with another:
- If other drivers swerve or brake suddenly to avoid them and crash as a result,
- The lane-changer can still be legally liable under California tort law.
This is common in phantom vehicle or miss-and-run claims.
3. Comparative Negligence
Under California’s pure comparative fault system:
- Fault can be shared between multiple drivers.
- For example, the swerving driver may share some fault if speeding or not paying attention, but the primary fault may rest with the driver who caused the unsafe lane change.
🧾 Key Evidence in These Cases
- Dashcam or surveillance footage showing the lane change and crash
- Witness statements identifying the lane-changer’s behavior
- Police reports (may cite the driver for unsafe lane change)
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony
- Skid marks and debris patterns showing evasive maneuvers
💰 Damages Available in Personal Injury Claim
If injured in such a crash, you may claim:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Vehicle/property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
🕒 Statute of Limitations
- 2 years for personal injury (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1)
- 3 years for property damage
✅ What to Do If You Were Involved
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Get medical attention
- Document the scene, vehicles, and any evidence of lane change
- Obtain witness info and dashcam footage (if available)
- Consult a personal injury attorney, especially if the at-fault driver denies wrongdoing or fled the scene
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
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