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(203) 690-1030
No matter how attentive and skilled you are as a driver, you can find yourself the victim of someone else’s negligent driving. Drivers in Hartford make dangerous lane changes all the time, which can easily snare you up in an unexpected collision.
If you’re struggling with mounting medical bills and uncooperative insurance companies after a car accident with a careless driver, Bert McDowell can come to your aid. An experienced personal injury attorney who has won millions in settlements and jury awards for clients, Bert’s successful practice has offices in Hartford as well as throughout Connecticut.
Bert worked as an attorney for insurance companies in the past, so he understands both sides of the personal injury case equation. He is a passionate advocate for his clients throughout each step of the claims process.
If you’d like to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys, give us a call at (203) 633-7449 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.
Changing lanes is a common maneuver that most drivers don’t think twice about. However, poor timing, bad visibility, or reckless last-minute choices can turn a simple lane change into a disaster.
Crash data from 2010 to 2017 shows that roughly 17 percent of all severe accidents were caused by last-minute decisions to switch lanes.
Whether you’re cruising around town on surface streets or traveling on the freeway, there is always the slight risk that someone will merge into your lane without warning. They might not see you because they failed to properly check for traffic before merging.
No matter the circumstances, you’ll want an experienced personal injury attorney to help ensure fair treatment from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
As you start your search for legal representation, you’ll find many attorneys who are eager to speak with you. Choosing an attorney to handle your case is a significant decision, so you should keep the following skills and attributes in mind as you consider your options:
Above all, you’ll want an experienced attorney to handle your personal injury claim. Attorneys encounter all kinds of claims, circumstances, and challenges as they work on different cases.
Each case provides new insights and opportunities to sharpen basic skills like negotiating, reasoning, and communicating.
As you speak with attorneys, ask about their track records and see if they’ve handled cases like yours in the past. A good attorney will honestly and patiently respond to your questions.
An insurance company is unlikely to accept your demands without putting up a fight first. They bank on the fact that many people don’t retain personal injury attorneys to demand fair compensation.
As a result, they can get away with paying out small settlements.
Even if you have an attorney, you’ll want to make sure they’re the type of professional who will advocate on your behalf, even if challenges arise. Personal injury attorneys have to remain determined and creative when obstacles block their way.
In addition to representing your interests, an attorney should support you in your fight for justice.
Some cases are harder to win than others, and it is easy to feel down if you’re facing the aftermath of a frightening accident and the inconvenience of dealing with insurance companies. An invested attorney will do their best to buoy you up while being realistic and empathetic about your circumstances.
Undoubtedly, attorneys who handle multiple cases are busy with phone calls, paperwork, and meetings. However, a dedicated attorney will do their best to respond to your calls and messages in a prompt manner.
They’ll let you know if they’ll be out of town or unavailable in advance so that you aren’t left stressing about unanswered calls.
Further, they’ll inform you about important dates or deadlines that pertain to your case. You won’t have to chase a good attorney down every time you have a question or concern.
When evaluating an attorney, don’t hesitate to ask for testimonials from past clients.
An honest attorney will be willing to furnish those reviews and answer any questions you might have. You can also conduct your own online research to read firsthand experiences from other clients.
Lane change accidents are quite common. The reasons for these accidents can vary, but they usually boil down to a few typical factors.
People are far more likely to get into accidents when they can’t see their surroundings well. In fact, nearly 39,000 people crash each year due to fog — and a fair portion of these accidents result in injuries and deaths.
In thick fog, you may struggle to see another car entering your lane, and nearby drivers may have no way to detect your vehicle’s presence. When possible, avoid driving in thick fog and storms to reduce your chances of getting into an accident.
While driving in fog, vehicle operators have an obligation to use caution, drive slowly, and take extra precautions when changing lanes. In other words, bad weather and other visibility issues are almost never considered a valid excuse, making the driver who caused the accident negligent and liable for damages.
Unfortunately, distracted drivers might make last-minute lane changes without making sure it’s safe to move over.
It can be impossible to avoid these unexpected movements. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be injured because of another driver’s negligence when changing lanes.
Always keep an eye out for erratic drivers nearby, and keep your distance from them when possible. Do your part to keep others safe by avoiding your phone while driving, focusing on the road, and taking breaks if you get drowsy.
Drivers may fail to use their signals out of forgetfulness or laziness. Either way, failing to indicate a turn can have serious consequences.
Signals are the only tool you have to universally communicate your intentions to all the drivers around you. Therefore, changing lanes without signaling endangers everyone around you.
All drivers have blind spots. Typically, these spots are directly behind mirrors to the side of the vehicle.
Many modern vehicles are equipped with blind spot monitoring; this is a system that will emit a high-pitched sound or a blinking light if other vehicles or objects are in your blind spots. However, it’s still essential to check with your own eyes to verify that your blind spots are clear.
Many accidents occur when people merge into lanes without realizing that a car is in their blind spot. The merging driver is almost always at fault if they switch lanes, regardless of whether the other car is visible to them, and therefore, you should check carefully and wait a few seconds before pulling into another lane.
Lane change accidents can be exceptionally dangerous, especially if you account for the high speeds of freeway driving.
A lane change accident could lead to:
Car accidents cause unpleasant complications, from injuries and stress to schedule disruptions and lifestyle changes. No matter the type or severity of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation if a negligent driver hurt you.
Even if the insurance company seems to be “playing nice,” always remember that their goal is to maximize their bottom line. This could mean offering you an unreasonably low payout for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
With Bert McDowell’s help, you can face the future with confidence. Bert will advocate on your behalf and build a compelling case, giving you the highest chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.
He’ll draw upon his years of experience and deep understanding of Connecticut law to powerfully defend your case. Bert’s lengthy track record includes millions of dollars won in settlements and jury awards for his clients.
If you are ready to get a professional opinion on your injury case, contact Bert by calling (203) 633-7449 or using our form to contact us online to schedule your free, confidential case review.