Kansas City Lane-Changing & Merging Truck Accident Lawyers
Holding truck drivers accountable for shifting lane accidents in Missouri and Kansas
Truck drivers use Interstates 70, 435, and many other interstates on a daily basis. Truck drivers also use many other US highways, state roads, and other Missouri and Kansas routes regularly. These trucks often need to merge into traffic to enter and exit these roads. Tractor-trailers, semis, delivery trucks, and other types of trucks regularly move into and out of passing lanes and into turning lanes.
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable when they cause accidents while moving into other lanes of travel. Our Kansas City changing & merging truck accident lawyers are skilled at showing how truck accidents happen and who is responsible. We demand full compensation for all your financial and personal damages.
How can we help?
- What factors do truck drivers need to consider when changing lanes or merging?
- What are the different types of lane-changing and merging truck accidents in Kansas City?
- What are the causes of lane-changing and merging truck accidents in Kansas City?
- Who is responsible for accidents when trucks change lanes or merge?
- Do you have a Kansas City lane-changing and merging truck accident lawyer near me?
What factors do truck drivers need to consider when changing lanes or merging?
It’s simple. Two vehicles can’t be in the same place at the same time. When a truck driver merges into traffic, the driver needs to be certain the truck won’t collide with another vehicle during the merger. A truck driver who passes another vehicle needs to move into another lane only when other vehicles aren’t headed to the same spot, and the truck driver has enough time to complete the move. Even when a truck moves into a slower lane, the truck driver needs to be able to see that there are no other cars, trucks, or motorcycles nearby.
Changing lane factors
Our Kansas City changing lane attorneys review whether a truck driver:
- Was aware of their blind spots before passing or entering another lane
- Gaged their speed, the speed of the vehicle they were trying to pass, and the speed of any other nearby vehicles
- Was aware of whether passing was permissible
- Observed the length of road needed to complete the pass
- Observed whether the road was straight or curved
- Observed whether vehicles from other lanes might be trying to enter the same line
- Many other conditions depending on the number of lanes of travel and other factors
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we review the different types of lane changes which include:
- Passing another vehicle on the left
- Moving back into the truck driver’s original lane – the lane before passing
- Moving into a slower lane
- Moving into a turning lane
- Moving into a trucks-only lane
- Moving into a truck weighing station
- Other lane changes
Merging factors
Our Kansas City merging accident lawyers review whether a truck driver who caused an accident:
- Looked to see where the driver’s current lane ends – how much distance the truck driver had to complete the merge
- Observed the amount of traffic in the lane that the truck driver was merging into
- Estimated how fast their truck was traveling and the speed of the vehicles around the truck
- Understood where the truck’s blind spots are and how to ensure the truck driver could proceed through those blind spot areas
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we review the different types of merges which include:
- Merging while exiting an off-ramp
- Merging into a lane from an on-ramp
- Merging from one road or highway onto another road or highway
- Merging into traffic from a loading dock, parking lot, or any other off-road location
- Merging from a road that is about to end
- Merging at construction sites
What are the different types of lane-changing and merging truck accidents in Kansas City?
When a truck changes lanes, the truck driver may cause a:
- Head-on crash. This accident can occur if a passing truck doesn’t leave enough room to get back into the original lane and the truck drives in an oncoming lane of travel.
- Rear-end crash. This collision can occur if the vehicle in front of the truck suddenly stops before the truck driver can change lanes. A rear-end crash can also occur if the truck starts to change lanes but stops – and is struck by a vehicle behind the truck.
- This accident occurs if a truck driver changes lanes when there is a vehicle in the other lane.
- A blind-spot accident. Tractor trailers, semis, and other large trucks have a great deal of difficulty seeing behind their truck and to the sides. There are even blind spots in front of the truck. Truck drivers need to be extra cautious when merging because there are vehicles in front waiting to merge, in the faster lanes, and behind the truck.
When a truck merges, the same types of accidents can occur as when cars move into other lanes of travel. The main difference is trucks don’t have to pass. Trucks do need to merge, or they’ll never get to their destination. When trucks merge into other lanes, there’s also an increased likelihood of a multi-vehicle crash as the truck that collides with another vehicle is likely to cause all the other cars nearby to be involved in accidents because they need to merge, too.
What are the causes of lane-changing and merging truck accidents in Kansas City?
Our Kansas City changing lane and merging truck accident lawyers work with the police, investigators, traffic reconstruction experts, and others to show the chain of events that led to the truck crash. Some of the common causes of these lane-shifting accidents include:
- Failing to understand who has the right of way
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Failing to wait for the lane the truck driver is trying to enter to be clear
- Not adjusting their speed properly to pass, complete a merge, or shift lanes
- Being distracted while changing lanes or merging
- Not using their turn signals
- Moving across multiple lanes instead of one lane at a time
- Tailgating
- Failing to use their horn
- Not checking their blind spots
Who is responsible for accidents when trucks change lanes or merge?
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers file personal injury claims against all responsible parties. In addition to the truck driver, the following companies may be liable:
- The truck driver’s employer may be liable because employers are generally liable for the acts of their employees.
- The owner of the truck, if different than the driver, may be liable for failing to educate the truck driver about how to change lanes and merge properly – and because owners may be liable for the negligence of their driver.
- Any trucking companies involved in the shipment if they pressured the truck driver to put their profit before the safety of the public.
Do you have a Kansas City lane-changing and merging truck accident lawyer near me?
Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys has eight offices throughout Missouri and Kansas.
- Our main office is located at 510 Walnut Street, Suite 100, in Kansas City, located a few blocks away from City Hall.
- Our other Missouri offices are located in Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph, Parkville, and Blue Springs.
- Our Kansas offices are located at Overland Park, Olathe, and Victory Springs KS.
When necessary, we see clients away from the office, by appointment. We also discuss truck accidents by phone and video conference.
We understand how frightening truck accidents are. We’ve helped many personal injury clients hold negligent defendants accountable.
Speak with an accomplished Kansas City truck accident lawyer today
Truck accident cases are complex. Victims often suffer injuries that are catastrophic, permanent, or otherwise severe. Many truck accidents are fatal. You need experienced attorneys who the insurance companies and defense lawyers respect. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers and wrongful death lawyers have 30 years of experience. Our Kansas City lane-changing and merging truck accident lawyers help show how these accidents happen and who is responsible. To schedule a free consultation, please call us or fill out our contact form. We represent clients throughout Missouri and Kansas.