Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Unsafe Lane Changing

Many motorists have seen motorcyclists zigzag through heavy traffic trying get to their destination sooner. When these motorists get involved in a motorcycle accident, they assume that it was the motorcyclist’s fault due to their unsafe and reckless riding style. However, some drivers of passenger vehicles also fail to realize that they can contribute to accidents due to unsafe lane changes by violating a motorcycle rider’s right of way or failing to check a blind spot.

Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping North Carolina’s and South Carolina’s injured motorcycle riders and their families with the devastating consequences of motorcycle accidents. His experience is put to work for each client in order to ensure that injured clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Unsafe Lane Changes

While allowable in many states, lane splitting is illegal in North Carolina and South Carolina. Lane splitting occurs when motorcycle riders pass vehicles in the same lane occupied by another vehicle. Lane splitting is allowed in some states for various reasons, and it is rarely cited as a cause of an accident—even in North Carolina and South Carolina. A greater cause of accidents is unsafe lane changes.

Changing lanes quickly can be a defensive maneuver for motorcycles and is not usually dangerous. However, when large passenger motor vehicles, like cars and trucks, execute unsafe lane changes by failing to use signals or checking blind spots, motorcyclists are at risk. If the driver of a large passenger vehicle does not see a motorcycle in the lane beside the car and starts to change lanes without checking a blind spot, the motorcyclist can be side-swiped or may have to maneuver to avoid being hit, which could then result in an accident.

If a motorcyclist is in a dangerous position as a car or truck changes lanes, that motorcyclist may need to slow down quickly, speed up quickly, or change lanes to avoid a collision. However, when there are many other motorists on the road, any action a rider takes could result in a subsequent accident or possibly the loss of control or panic. All of these scenarios involve risks, and if a rider is injured due to another person’s unsafe or inattentive driving, then the rider deserves to be compensated for injuries.

Experienced North Carolina and South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Insurance companies are quick to blame motorcyclists for lane splitting, especially if this blame takes away fault from their client who violated a rider’s right of way. While this sort of accident does happen, a motorcyclist should not take responsibility for an accident when his or her rights were violated on the roadway and serious injuries resulted. This is why it is extremely important for an injured rider to contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

The Tatum Law Firm has extensive experience in investigating the causes of motorcycle accidents on the road and can help injured motorists seek compensation for their losses. We know the effects of motorcycle accidents can be devastating and long term, and we are there to help. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorney Brian Steed Tatum will manage your case and pursue your claim effectively to ensure you are fairly compensated.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident where unsafe lane changes contributed to or caused the accident, please contact our office for assistance at (704) 307-4350 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.