Collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles sometimes happen because the truck did not follow the proper procedures when changing lanes. These collisions can cause devastating injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicles.
The truck crash attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright—also known as The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers—represent people hurt in truck accidents caused by unsafe lane changes in Orlando. Our long record of success and care for our clients makes us the law firm other lawyers turn to when their loved ones need representation in a truck accident case.
The Effect of Dangerous Lane Changes
A trucker risks disaster by failing to follow proper procedures when changing lanes in Orlando. Serious collisions can result.
When a trucker moves into the left lane to pass or when it merges to enter or exit a highway, it could sideswipe a vehicle already occupying the lane. Depending on the force of the collision, the smaller vehicle might be pushed into an adjacent lane or off the road.
These collisions also happen as a truck prepares to turn. If the street is narrow, it might move into an adjacent lane to make a wide turn. The truck could sideswipe a vehicle in that lane or cut off a vehicle already in the turn lane.
Procedure for Safe Lane Changes
The blind spots on all four sides of a large truck make changing lanes a difficult and dangerous maneuver. Truck drivers are trained to follow a specific protocol, called the SMOG method, to limit the dangers of lane changes. The SMOG method requires numerous steps and preparation for a lane change.
The truck driver should signal their intention to change lanes, giving other vehicles adequate time to note and respond to the signal. They must check their Mirrors frequently during this period to be sure no vehicles have entered their blind spots. Finally, the driver must look over their shoulder on each side to ensure they have clearance before they go.
When used properly and consistently, this method prevents accidents when a truck changes lanes or merges. Our Orlando attorneys will focus on determining whether a trucker used the proper lane change protocol. If not, the trucker was negligent, and their employer could be held liable for their actions.
How Do You Prove a Negligent Lane Change?
Although there is a standard method for truckers to safely change lanes, proving they made an improper lane change can be challenging. When you work with our Orlando lawyers, we immediately ask the truck driver and transportation company to preserve evidence that we could use to prove a negligent lane change.
Many trucks are equipped with in-cab cameras that record the driver. This footage could show that the driver did not follow the SMOG protocol or rushed a step, leading to the accident. The driver’s cell phone records could prove they were distracted. Witness statements, footage from traffic cams, and other motorists’ dash cams can also provide useful information.
Are You Partially to Blame?
Your conduct can also influence this aspect of a case. Sometimes, lane change accidents are not solely the fault of the trucker. If your conduct increased the risk of a crash, you could be partially liable for an accident.
Say you did not see or respond to the truck’s signal and moved into the truck’s blind spot. The trucker is still at fault because they would have seen you if they had looked over their shoulder as protocol requires, but you should not have been there. In cases like this, Florida Statutes § 768.81 requires that the damages you collect reflect your partial responsibility for the wreck.
Work With Our Orlando AttorneysIf You Were Injured Due to a Truck’s Improper Lane Change
Truckers are thoroughly trained in how to make proper, safe lane changes. When they ignore the protocol they are taught, they are negligent. They and the transportation company they work for are liable for the losses you suffered.
At The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers, we have had great success obtaining favorable results for people injured in truck accidents caused by unsafe lane changes in Orlando. If we do not win, you do not pay, so contact us at no obligation today.