If you were injured in an accident caused by a sudden lane change in California, you may have a strong personal injury claim, depending on how and why the lane change occurred. California law requires drivers to signal and ensure it’s safe before changing lanes. When a driver suddenly swerves, merges without warning, or cuts someone off—especially on highways—it can lead to serious collisions and clear liability.
🚘 What’s Considered an Unsafe Lane Change?
Under California Vehicle Code § 22107, drivers must not change lanes unless:
- They signal in advance, and
- The movement can be made safely.
A sudden lane change may be deemed negligent or reckless if a driver:
- Fails to signal
- Swerves abruptly into another lane
- Cuts off another vehicle
- Changes lanes into a vehicle’s blind spot
- Straddles lanes or weaves in and out of traffic
- Forces another car off the road or into a crash
💥 Common Injuries from Sudden Lane Change Accidents
These collisions often result in:
- Side-swipe crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- Multi-car pileups (especially on freeways)
- Loss-of-control crashes
- Motorcycle knockdowns
Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions and TBIs
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
⚖️ Liability in Sudden Lane Change Accidents
In most cases, the driver who made the unsafe lane change will be found at fault. To establish negligence, you must show:
- Duty of care – All drivers must operate vehicles safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of duty – The driver changed lanes unsafely.
- Causation – That sudden lane change caused the accident.
- Damages – You were injured or suffered losses due to the crash.
You do not have to prove intent, just that their driving was unsafe.
🧩 What Evidence Can Support Your Claim?
Proving a sudden lane change caused a crash may involve:
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic or surveillance video
- Photos of the vehicles and damage
- Witness statements (including other drivers)
- Police report (noting unsafe lane change or failure to signal)
- Vehicle damage patterns (e.g., side swipe or rear quarter panel impacts)
- Black box data (from newer vehicles)
💰 What Compensation Can You Recover?
If the other driver is found liable, you may be entitled to compensation for:
✅ Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation, prescriptions)
✅ Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or permanent disability
👨⚖️ Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Yes—sudden lane change accidents often lead to disputes over fault, especially if the at-fault driver denies wrongdoing or blames you. A skilled California personal injury lawyer can:
- Collect and preserve critical evidence
- Reconstruct the accident scene (if needed)
- Handle insurance company negotiations
- Ensure you’re compensated fairly
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].