When a massive commercial truck suddenly changes lanes without adequate clearance or warning, the results can be catastrophic for smaller vehicles caught in its path.
Unsafe lane changes are a serious violation of both traffic laws and federal regulations, often stemming from inadequate mirror checks, blind spot negligence, or pressure to make aggressive maneuvers.
If you were hit by a trucker making a dangerous lane change, you have the right to hold the driver and their employer accountable with the help of a Milwaukee truck accident attorney.
Why Unsafe Lane Changes by Trucks Are So Dangerous
When a commercial truck is fully loaded, it can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. These massive vehicles need significantly more space to maneuver than a passenger car, and when a truck driver misjudges that space or fails to check blind spots, nearby vehicles can be sideswiped, crushed, or forced off the road. These collisions often occur at highway speeds, leaving little time for other drivers to react.
Victims can suffer severe injuries in these accidents, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Multiple bone fractures
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Psychological trauma
Factors That May Contribute to Unsafe Lane Changes
Multiple factors can lead a truck driver to make a dangerous lane change that puts your safety at risk. These include:
- Driver Distraction: Truck drivers who are texting, adjusting GPS devices, eating, or otherwise not fully focused on the road may fail to notice vehicles in adjacent lanes before initiating a lane change.
- Fatigue and Impairment: Drowsy or impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more likely to misjudge gaps in traffic or fail to signal properly before changing lanes.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Truck drivers under pressure to meet tight deadlines may drive aggressively, weaving between lanes without proper caution or adequate following distance.
- Poor Training or Inexperience: Drivers who haven’t received proper training may not understand how to navigate their truck’s blind spots or may lack the skills to execute safe lane changes in heavy traffic.
Who Is Liable for Truck Accidents Caused by Unsafe Lane Changes?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident caused by an unsafe lane change, you have the right to file a legal claim against the person or entity responsible.
These claims allow you to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Determining liability is a critical step in your case, and multiple parties may share responsibility.
The truck driver is typically the primary liable party if their negligent lane change caused your accident. However, the trucking company that employs the driver may also be held accountable under vicarious liability laws, which make employers responsible for their employees’ actions during work hours.
Additionally, if the company failed to properly train the driver, maintained inadequate safety policies, or pressured drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, they may bear direct liability.
In some cases, third parties such as maintenance companies or cargo loaders may also share fault if mechanical failures or improper loading contributed to the unsafe maneuver.
Trust a Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer to Fight for You
If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by an unsafe lane change, you have the right to hold the negligent party accountable. A Wisconsin truck accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances of your crash, identify all liable parties, and build a compelling case for maximum compensation.
Contact an attorney today to discuss your case and begin your journey to justice.