WHO IS AT FAULT IF A TRUCK MERGES INTO YOUR LANE AND HITS YOU?

On the highway or any other road, drivers who are already traveling in a lane have the legal right-of-way and do not have to make space to accommodate a merging car or truck. In fact, merging drivers, including semi- truck, tractor trailer, delivery, or construction truck drivers, have the legal duty to yield or give way to another vehicle in order to safely enter a lane of traffic. Failing to do so and causing an accident can result in being ticketed, fined, and potentially at-fault in a personal injury lawsuit.

Michigan law, however, also states that traffic on the highway cannot intentionally impede or block another driver, including truck drivers, from merging by intentionally speeding up or slowing down, and any driver who is speeding may forfeit their legal right-of-way.

Because of this, it’s not always immediately clear who was at fault in the event of a collision, and if you’ve been in an accident caused by a merging truck, you should call an the truck accident attorneys at Kajy Law who can review the details of the accident to help you determine fault and pursue compensation if your case qualifies.

PROPER MERGING ON EXPRESSWAYS AND ON RAMPS

When merging from an on ramp or entrance ramp onto a highway, the right-ofway is given to cars already on the highway, and car and truck drivers entering must yield if they are unable to safely enter the flow of traffic. Again, a truck driver can be found negligent or at-fault for failing to do so and causing an accident.

When two lanes come together on the highway, it’s important to pay attention to signage or barrels indicating which lanes are merging and where. Though it may seem counterintuitive to some drivers, the Michigan Department of Transportation strongly recommends that drivers, including truck drivers, use the “zipper technique” in these cases when merging – that is, using both available lanes of traffic until the merge point, then alternating merging into the available lane in zipper fashion.

When zipper merging on highways with frequent semi-trucks, pay attention, yield when necessary, and take turns to avoid an accident. There are many factors, including speed and right-of-way, which influence who is at- fault in a truck accident involving a zipper merge, and determining the negligent party is not always clear.

TYPES OF ACCIDENTS THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER LANE MERGING IN DETROIT

Truck accidents can involve 18 wheelers, flatbed trailers, vehicle carrier trucks, log carriers, tractor trailers, dump trucks, cement trucks, postal trucks, delivery trucks, and tow trucks, and the impacts can cause devastating injuries and property damages. No matter how minor, if you’ve been involved in a Detroit truck accident, consult the experienced truck accident lawyers at Kajy Law as soon as possible following to discuss your case and your options.

SIDE SWIPE COLLISIONS:

When a truck driver tries to enter or merge into a lane with a car already there, they may cause a side- swipe accident if they fail to stop or yield. Because the driver already traveling in the lane has the legal right-of-way, a truck driver could be found negligent and at-fault. If the car was speeding at the time of the collision, however, then that driver may be found partially at-fault, which could impact their case or settlement.

RUN OFF THE ROAD

When a truck driver attempts to improperly or unsafely enter a lane, putting another driver at risk of being hit, the driver may swerve or veer off the road to avoid an accident. If they lose control of their vehicle while doing so, they could hit another driver, barrier, or impact wall, causing injury to themselves or someone else, and could be partially at- fault for an accident.

SIDE IMPACT COLLISIONS (T- BONE)

Side impact or T-bone collisions can happen when a truck driver fails to yield the right of way to another driver, causing impact to the side of a vehicle, and can happen at entrances to on ramps or when trucks make an unsafe left turn. The driver sustaining impact from the side is particularly vulnerable to injuries due to less crash protection on the side of vehicles, and the impact of a T-bone collision with a truck can be fatal.

Determining fault in a side impact truck accident due to improper merging can prove difficult because Michigan’s comparative negligence laws mean that an injured party’s compensation can be reduced if they are found to be partially atfault for the accident. An experienced Detroit truck accident lawyer from Kajy Law can guide you through this process.

ROLLOVER COLLISIONS

Rollover collisions occur when the force of crash results in one vehicle rolling onto its roof or side and are particularly dangerous. Because the force of impact in truck accidents is high, they can result in rollover crashes with a high potential for injury and extensive property damage.

REAR END COLLISIONS

A rear- end collision happens when one driver fails to yield or stop in time, hitting another driver from behind, and can happen when merging lanes or onto the highway from an on ramp. The law generally presumes that the rear driver is at fault, however the front driver could be found partially negligent if they were distracted, speeding, or driving under the influence.

In rear- end accidents caused by a truck, the force of the collision is strong enough to cause injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, or back and spinal injuries, all of which require immediate medical attention.

CALL KAJY LAW TODAY

Truck drivers have the backing of big trucking companies who work swiftly and aggressively to reduce their drivers’ responsibility and liability, which could impact your case and potentially your settlement. Our truck accident team at Kajy Law can hold our own against the big trucking companies who might otherwise try to take advantage of you.

If you’ve been in an accident with a truck driver, contact our experienced Detroit truck accident attorneys at Kajy Law to review your case as soon as possible.