Improper Lane Change Accident
My question involves an accident that occurred in the state of Indiana.
My daughter was following a car on a 2 lane street. The car in front of her stopped and she slowed down and proceeded around the stopped car. (There was a dashed yellow line which made it acceptable to pass and there were no cars coming in the opposite direction) Upon passing the stopped car, it turned into her hitting her passenger front bumper and fender with the driver’s side door of the vehicle that was stopped when she started to pass. The officer did not issue her a ticket, but in the crash report stated that she made an improper lane change. I talked with the officer to get and explanation of why he wrote improper lane change and he said she didn't yield and she needed to stop or yield to the car in front of her until she knows what that car is doing. I stated that she did slow down and had the right of way because she was passing and the stopped car didn't turn into her until she was next to it. I was told that my interpretation of the passing lane "right of way" was wrong.
Can someone please shed some light on this situation and let me know if this actually was an improper lane change and who should be at fault?? The insurance company is saying she is at fault because of the improper lane change. The officer didn't write anything on the report about the stopped vehicle not making an reasonable safe movement form a stopped position.
Thanks
Re: Improper Lane Change Accident
Was the car stopped next to a driveway or parking lot entrance? Did it have a blinker of any kind on? How long did your daughter wait to pass the other car?
Re: Improper Lane Change Accident
The stopped car was not next to a driveway or entrance. No blinker that I know of. The car in front of her stopped and she slowed down and then went around. She didn't wait very long.
Re: Improper Lane Change Accident
Sounds like she is guilty to me. She should have stopped and ascertained what the car was going to do, before proceeding.