Merging can be a stressful maneuver on the road. Not only can it increase congestion in traffic conditions, but it can also cause devastating motor vehicle wrecks if done incorrectly. Those involved in a collision due to a failure to merge safely may have the right to financial compensation for their damages.
With help from an experienced merging accident lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., you can get the most out of your claim. Contact our team for a free consultation today at (312) 236-2900 to learn more about how you can make the at-fault party pay.
What Are Merging Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 500,000 crashes annually are caused by failure to merge or change lanes safely. Merging accidents are far more likely to happen when there is road construction work, lanes that combine, or a lane of traffic coming onto a highway. Your car accident might happen in another fashion, but it’s critical to understand when they are likely to happen.
They can also occur when emergency vehicles are weaving through traffic or pulled over to the side of the road, leaving other drivers to get out of the emergency vehicle’s path. Merging accidents can happen for many reasons, such as:
- Failure to check blind spots before merging
- Pulling out of the parking lot and into traffic too quickly
- Manual, cognitive, or visual distractions while driving
- Poor visibility conditions due to inclement weather
- Merging into the lane of traffic too slowly
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to use a turn signal when merging
Who is Responsible for Safely Merging?
Every motorist on the road has an obligation to drive safely. It is the person who is merging that is responsible for doing so as safely as possible. The person attempting to enter a lane of traffic must exercise additional care when doing so or risk causing catastrophic collisions.
Driving aggressively, failure to check blind spots, or merging too slowly can cause devastating motor vehicle accidents. The only person who can ensure a motorist merges safely is that driver. Otherwise, other drivers on the road are forced to react quickly to protect themselves and other motorists from severe bodily injury or death.
What Kind of Damages Can Merging Incidents Cause?
The way in which your merging accident occurred will determine the extent of your damages. It is normal for vehicles to suffer damages in sideswipe and rear-end collisions due to a failure to merge safely.
Although many injuries are possible, it is the extent of the injuries that will determine the value of compensation available. Examples of prevalent injuries in a merging car accident include:
These are just a few examples of injuries that may be possible in a merging accident. If you suffered another type of injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. With help from an experienced personal injury attorney, you can recoup your damages in full.
Who is at Fault for Merging Accidents?
Figuring out who is at fault for a merging accident is one of your attorney’s most important responsibilities. In most instances, the driver who is changing lanes or merging will be found liable. This is because all motorists have an obligation to yield to the right of way when approaching oncoming vehicles. Those who fail to yield to the right of way, are too distracted, drive aggressively, or merge too slowly can be held accountable for their irresponsible driving.
There may be situations in which other drivers are also held accountable. For example, if one driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and struck a driver who was merging into their lane of traffic, the drunk driver might be held accountable. Aggressive drivers who are speeding, failing to use turn signals, or exhibiting signs of road rage by sideswiping merging vehicles, for example, can also be sued for the victim’s damages.
If hazardous road conditions contributed to the merging accident, government agencies responsible for road safety and maintenance could be held accountable for your damages. If the merging driver suffered a vehicle emergency, such as brake failure, and was unable to prevent the accident, maintenance workers, auto parts designers, manufacturers, and other third parties could share fault.
Your merging accident lawyers’ in-depth investigation into the collision can uncover the liable parties who should be held accountable for their negligence.
What Kind of Compensation is Available for a Merging Accident?
You have a chance to recover compensation for every loss you experienced due to a merging accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You can file a claim with the insurance company or bring a lawsuit to trial for maximum compensation.
Only certain types and amounts of damages are covered by the insurance company, which means you should always be prepared to bring your merging accident case to court so you are not stuck covering the cost of another party’s recklessness.
Damages can be categorized as economic or non-economic. Economic damages include financial losses and non-economic damages describe the ways your life has been affected by your merging accident and the injuries you sustained.
Some examples of economic damages could include:
- Personal property damages
- Lost wages and employee benefits
- Vehicle repairs
- Diminished earning capacity
- Rental car costs
- Co-pays and transportation fees
- Hospital bills
- Future medical costs
Some examples of non-economic damages could include:
- Chronic pain
- Psychological distress
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of protection and advice
- Disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Reputational damage
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment
How do I Prove a Merging Accident Wasn’t My Fault?
Working with your Chicago car accident attorney to ensure liability is assessed correctly is crucial. To prove the merging accident was not your fault, your lawyer will find compelling evidence to support your case. Some examples of such evidence could include:
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Traffic crash data
- Video of the accident scene
- Photos of the victim’s damages
- Reports from accident reconstructionists
- Medical records
- Expert testimony
It is especially important to prove that you are not responsible for causing the emerging accident, as Illinois follows modified comparative negligence laws. This will reduce your settlement in proportion to your percentage of blame.
The insurance company and liable party will attempt to capitalize on this law to reduce their financial obligations. Your merging accident lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. will protect your rights and prevent you from unjust shared liability accusations.
How Do I Avoid Improper Merging Accidents?
To avoid improper merging accidents, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. These include:
- Using turn signals
- Keeping a safe stopping distance
- Avoiding distracted driving
- Changing lanes or merging gradually
- Merge or change lanes early
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Having a personal injury attorney advocating for you could make all the difference in the outcome of your merging accident claim. The benefits of having an experienced lawyer on your side are undeniable. Some of the top ways our team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. will help you include the following:
- Investigating the cause of your merging accident and establishing liability
- Reviewing damages to calculate the value of your claim
- Preparing insurance documents and filing the necessary paperwork
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a favorable settlement
- Get your medical bills, and other expenses temporarily stayed while we handle your case
- Bring your merging accident case to trial if insurance coverage is insufficient
- Regularly updating you when there are case status updates
Our team works with our clients on contingency, so you do not need to worry about paying anything upfront to hire a legal advocate. Then, when we win your case, a percentage of your winnings goes towards your attorney’s fees. If we do not win, however, you do not have to pay anything for our efforts or out-of-pocket costs.
Contact a Chicago Merging Accident Lawyer Now
Merging accidents continue to be a significant problem across Chicago and the entire state of Illinois. If you have suffered debilitating injuries and do not know where to turn for help, you can demand justice when you call a dedicated Chicago merging accident lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
Learn more about the value of your claim and the steps you must take to bring the at-fault party to justice when you contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can reach us through our convenient contact form or by phone at (312) 236-2900 to start working on your insurance claims and civil lawsuits as soon as today.
