A sudden lane change can transform an ordinary commute into a life-altering event on Phoenix's busy highways and surface streets. Whether occurring on I-10 during rush hour or along busy corridors like Indian School Road, unsafe lane changes account for a significant portion of multi-vehicle accidents in the metropolitan area. These incidents often involve drivers failing to signal, checking blind spots inadequately, or making abrupt movements across multiple lanes. The resulting sideswipe collisions, rear-end crashes, and chain-reaction accidents can cause serious injuries ranging from whiplash and soft tissue damage to more severe trauma. When these accidents occur due to another driver's negligent lane change behavior, injured parties may have grounds for a personal injury claim to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs. Understanding the specific circumstances that led to the unsafe lane change is crucial for establishing liability and pursuing fair compensation.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-729 governs lane usage and requires drivers to maintain their lane until they have determined a lane change can be made safely. The state follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning injured parties can recover damages even if partially at fault, though their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. Insurance claims must typically be filed promptly, while personal injury lawsuits have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. Available compensation may include economic damages (medical bills, lost income, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). In cases involving commercial vehicles, additional regulations and liability considerations may apply under federal and state transportation laws. An experienced Phoenix car crash lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Click the links below to get information on legal claims from attorneys with experience in your type of car crash or injury including:

• Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyer;
• Phoenix distracted driving accident law firm;
• Phoenix brain injury lawyer;
• Phoenix spine injury attorney;
• Phoenix wrongful death lawyer.

Related Resources:

Maricopa County Superior Court 601 W. Jackson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003

Support Services:

• Arizona Brain Injury Association
• MADD Arizona Chapter
• Phoenix Police Department Victim Services Unit

Official References:

• Arizona Department of Transportation: Traffic Laws
• Arizona State Legislature: Title 28 (Transportation) Laws
• Arizona Department of Insurance: Auto Insurance Requirements

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