Merging onto a highway can pose dangerous conditions which result in accidents. Although there are laws in place to govern how vehicles are supposed to yield and merge. Motorists do not always follow these laws or other unexpected circumstances may create problems. If you have been involved in a highway merge accident in Rhode Island or Massachusetts and have suffered personal injuries, you should contact an improper merge accident Rhode Island personal injury attorney for legal advice. A RI personal injury lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve and the justice you need.
RI Highway improper merge accident
merge crash in RI
If your highway merge accident in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations resulted from another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover money damages to compensate for your injuries. To prove negligence, there must be evidence that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care. Some examples may include:
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Following too closely
- Inattentive driving
- Impaired or drowsy driving
- Failure to signal
Injured in a highway improper merge accident crash? CALL the police!
If you are involved in a highway merge car, truck or motorcycle accident in RI or MA, you should contact law enforcement immediately. The police can investigate the car, truck or motor vehicle accident scene and will document what occurred. In some accidents, the police may issue a traffic citation to the irresponsible driver. By involving the police, you will preserve important evidence and improve your chances of a successful claim for damages.
“Approximately 233,000 angle/sideswipe LCM crashes were reported by police in 1991 (Standard Error = 18,500). This constituted 3.8 percent of all police-reported crashes and 96.7 percent of police-reported all LCM crashes. There were 197 associated fatalities and approximately 56,000 non-fatal police-reported injuries (Standard Error = 5,000) resulting from angle/sideswipe LCM crashes. Target crashes were associated with 1,318 fatal crash equivalents.” U.S. Department o f Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT HS 808 075 Final Report Lane Change / Merge Crashes: Problem Size Assessment and Statistical Description
Seek medical treatment after a RI improper merge accident auto wreck
Following a highway auto or car improper merge accident, you should seek out medical attention if you were injured. Medical professionals can provide treatment for your injuries and may uncover injuries that are not readily apparent. Not only will this be beneficial for your health, but medical professionals can provide important insight about the extent and cause of your injuries. This may prove to be important for a RI personal injury claim.
The amount of damages that may be recovered depends on a variety of circumstances. You may be eligible for reimbursement to cover your property damages, medical expenses and other losses. You may also be compensated to account for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost opportunities, future medical bills and other damages sustained. A Providence personal injury attorney will be able to review your case and explain how a damages claim can be made. See Car accident damages
Rhode Island personal injury attorney
As soon as possible after a highway merge accident, contact a Rhode Island personal injury attorney. An East Providence personal injury attorney can help you understand the claims process and what will be needed for a successful claim. A RI car accident attorney will provide legal advice to help guide you through the process. If you have been injured in a highway merge accident, contact a Rhode Island auto crash personal injury attorney.
“Merging properly is an important aspect of being a safe driver, and if drivers fail to follow the rules for merging properly or act responsibly when doing so, they could put both themselves and other innocent drivers at risk of being harmed in an accident. Because many different drivers are often involved in merging, it is critical that drivers respect others’ right-of-way and follow proper driving rules.If a driver fails to merge properly and causes an accident, injured persons might be facing costs associated with vehicle repair or medical treatment. In such a situation where the other driver failed to act carefully, however, they might be able to get financial compensation for their injuries and losses through a personal injury lawsuit” The Sampson Law Firm
Car accidents caused by merging are relatively common and can result from various factors. Merging accidents typically happen when one vehicle is attempting to join the flow of traffic on a highway or change lanes. Here are some common scenarios and causes of accidents related to merging:
- Failure to Yield: One of the most common causes of merging accidents is a driver’s failure to yield the right of way to vehicles already in the lane they are trying to merge into. This can lead to collisions as both vehicles attempt to occupy the same space.
- Blind Spots: Drivers often fail to check their blind spots before merging. If a vehicle is in a blind spot, it can result in an accident when the driver attempts to change lanes or merge.
- Speed Differential: Accidents can occur when a merging vehicle is traveling at a significantly different speed than the vehicles in the lane they are merging into. This can lead to rear-end collisions or side-swipe accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions such as texting, using a smartphone, or adjusting the radio can reduce a driver’s awareness and reaction time during a merge, making accidents more likely.
- Impaired Driving: Impaired drivers, whether due to alcohol, drugs, or other substances, may have impaired judgment and slower reaction times, increasing the risk of merging accidents.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Merging can be more challenging during adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog. Reduced visibility and road traction can contribute to accidents.
- Inadequate Signaling: Failing to use turn signals or not providing adequate warning to other drivers when merging can lead to accidents, as surrounding drivers may not anticipate the merge.
- Aggressive Driving: Aggressive drivers who do not allow merging vehicles to enter the lane, or those who tailgate and create a stressful merging environment, can increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Inexperienced Drivers: Inexperienced or new drivers may struggle with merging safely due to a lack of skill or confidence.
To prevent merging accidents, drivers should be vigilant, check their blind spots, use turn signals, maintain a safe following distance, and adjust their speed to safely merge into traffic. Proper merging etiquette and defensive driving are essential to reduce the risk of accidents when changing lanes or merging onto highways.