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  1. #1

    Default Hit By Driver Who Made a Sudden Lane Change While Making a Turn

    My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: California

    Hi

    I'm new to forums and I'd like to thank anyone who takes the time to look at this post.

    I was in a car accident earlier where I was making a turn and a van made a sudden lane change and smashed right into my right side.

    I just want to know if it's my fault for not noticing his sudden lane change and what I should do to alleviate any possible charges.

    I'm going to file a police report later tonight, and I'm waiting on an appointment to see a doctor for a checkup. My insurance company hasn't called me yet (nor the other driver's company). The other driver didn't have a camera phone and someone stole mine earlier, so we had to take photos with a disposable camera the company had in the van. They have the photos right now. I took photos of my car after it was towed to my house. Is there anything else I should do?

    Detailed Version:

    I was at a midway left turn into a plaza, I waited for incoming traffic to stop. 2 trucks were on the far right lane of the road and the second truck opened up a gap for me and gave me the OK. I checked the other lanes and saw only a white van coming behind the truck that stopped. I start making my turn and the van suddenly changes lanes into his immediate left (I can only imagine to keep from stopping and preserve his speed) and smashes into me. My car front is totaled and his van's left side has a broken wheel and light-medium damage to the left side. This is a small company van, so technically, if it comes out to be a charge, it'll be a company against me.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    3,666

    Default Re: Hit My Sudden Lane Change During the Middle of a Turn

    The photos that you took of your car at your home, well after the accident is pretty much worthless. The reason photos are taken AT accident scenes is to give the insurance company a little more leverage to determine fault and protect there client as well as there interests. being that the other party is in possession of the photos gives them an advantage. If they see a photo that incriminates them, they can just toss that photo.

    So basically, you were heading down a street and wanted to make a left hand turn into a parking lot.

    This street had four traffic lanes, two in each direction.

    There were two other vehicles traveling towards you.

    One vehicle was behind the other in the far right lane of a two lane roadway.

    The lead vehicle slowed down.

    The rear vehicle went into the left lane to pass the slowing vehicle.

    You started your left turn into the driveway and crashed with the vehicle that switched lanes.

    1. You must stop, and then make sure the roadway is clear before crossing a yellow line dividing a roadway.

    If I had to take a guess of the outcome of this story:

    The other party will state that they switched lanes due to a slowing vehicle in there lane and you crossed the roadway without yielding to them. From the damaged areas of the vehicles that you describe, I think the insurance company will side with the other party.

    Why didn't you call and file a police report at the time of the accident?

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