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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 9 percent of all vehicle accidents in the U.S. are caused by drivers changing lanes. These accidents often occur at high rates of speed. Drivers are caught off-guard and are unable to avoid crashes. It does not matter whether a driver is on a busy four-lane road, an interstate, or a small two-lane road, changing lane accidents are dangerous.

Driving-tests.org recommends drivers use caution and provides 8 crucial steps when changing lanes to avoid accidents:

1. If you find that you are behind another vehicle that is driving at a slower speed than you are and you are still driving well below the posted speed limit, it is acceptable to briefly change into the left lane in order to pass the car. First, turn on your left turn signal to inform other drivers of your intentions to move into the left lane.
2. Check your rearview and side mirrors for other vehicles currently in the lane in which you are planning to transition.
3. Check your vehicle’s blind spot. Here’s a small guide that helps you deal with blind spots efficiently: It is very important to check your blind spot every time you prepare to change lanes. Check your mirrors again.
4. While maintaining your speed, smoothly steer left so that your vehicle leaves the right lane and moves into the left lane.
5. Turn off your turn signal. Briefly continue driving in the left lane as you pass the slower vehicle.
6. Turn on your right turn signal to inform other drivers of your intentions to transition back into the right lane.
7. Check your rearview and side mirrors for other motorists. Check your vehicle’s blind spot. Quickly check your mirrors again.
8. While maintaining your speed, smoothly steer right so that your vehicle leaves the left lane and returns to the right lane.

When vehicles collide when changing lanes, devastating accidents may occur, including rollovers. These accidents may result in catastrophic injuries and/or deaths. Some of the injuries may be:

• Head and Neck Injuries
• Back and Spinal Injuries
• Paralysis

Who is at fault in Florida lane-change accidents?

Florida Statute 316.085 covers changing lanes. Under the statute, drivers are required to determine that it is absolutely safe to change lanes before doing so. Specifically:

(1) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this chapter and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle. 

(2) No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction. 

(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318. 

Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. is experienced in assisting clients who have been victims of negligent drivers changing lanes. The firm’s clients have unique personal injury cases and all of its clients receive personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, please contact Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney Randall Spivey 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com.