It is important to have an experienced Atlanta car accident law firm to assist with your claim when you’ve been in an accident.
There are a number of different factors that cause Atlanta car accidents, although some of the causes are more common than others. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, distracted driving, and speeding are often factors in car accidents in Georgia, but you might be surprised at what the most common causes are of car crashes that occur across the state. Keep reading to learn what the most common factors are that cause car crashes in Georgia and what you can do to reduce the risk of being involved in a car accident.
Failing to Signal When Changing Lanes or Making a Turn
The most common cause of all of the car accidents that occur in Georgia is failing to signal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver error is what is responsible for the most nationwide car accidents. However, not many research reports claim this as the main factor in car crashes.
Numerous Atlanta car accidents occur when a car makes contact with another vehicle that is in a parallel lane. Making improper lane changes is potentially dangerous and can result in serious injuries, particularly when they occur on freeways or other places at high speeds. There are a number of different factors that might cause improper lane changes, including the following:
Changing lanes when it is prohibited, like on a steep curve or hill
Failing to account for bad weather when a lane change is made
Failing to provide enough space for the lane change
Straddling two lanes
Failing to observe the surroundings
Failing to check the mirrors or for blind spots
Failing to use the turn signal
Who is at Fault For An Accident Caused by an Improper Lane Change?
Accidents in Atlanta involving improper lane changes or failures to signals frequently create the presumption of fault for the driver who is changing lanes. However, each scenario can be viewed differently by insurance companies. Claims adjusters will often attempt to pay the minimum amount possible on a lane change claim. They will site that since both of the vehicles were traveling at the same relative speed in the same direction, that there should be minimal damages.
Under Georgia state law, everyone operating a motor vehicle is required to exercise reasonable care whenever they are driving around other vehicles and people. The victim of an accident involving an improper lane change might be able to receive compensation for her or his injuries, as well as pain and suffering if the elements below apply:
The driver who made the turn owes a duty of care to the victim
She or he violated this duty of care by committing negligence (e.g. failure to check a blind spot or signal)
The person’s negligence caused property damage or the victim’s injuries
As a result, the victim suffered non-monetary or monetary harm.
It can be difficult to collect compensation on an improper lane change accident, particularly when trying to negotiate with an insurance company. The full extent of an injury might not appear until hours or even days following the crash in what appears to be a minor accident. An insurance claims adjuster in some cases might attempt to argue that the victim’s injuries were not the result of the car accident but something else instead.
This shows why it is so important to have an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer to assist with your claims process. A skilled and experienced auto accident attorney will be able to negotiate aggressively on your behalf and demand just compensation for the full extent of your damages. Not only can an auto accident claim provide compensation for your economic losses but also for intangible costs that are associated with your accident. They can include things such as loss in quality of life, as well as pain and suffering caused by the accident.
An improper lane change accident is potentially very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries. The driver who makes the lane changes in Atlanta will often be at fault for the car accident. This can result in she or he being held civilly liable for whatever damages are experienced by the victim, which includes both non-monetary and monetary damages.
Have you been injured in an Atlanta car crash? Was the fault not yours? Get a FREE legal consultation by calling our law firm at 1-888-579-1790.