When an Improper Lane Change Causes a Fatal Accident in Denver, Colorado

Improper lane change accidents account for a large percentage of serious and fatal injuries here in the U.S. Most improper lane change accidents can be avoided when the driver of a vehicle follows Colorado’s driving laws and operates their vehicle with caution. If a family member recently lost someone they love to an improper lane change accident in Denver, CO, they should speak with a CO wrongful death lawyer to discuss what legal remedies, if any, are available to them.

Understanding Colorado’s Lane Change Laws and How They Can Help with a Wrongful Death Case

Drivers in the State of Colorado are required to check lanes for possible hazards before they move from one lane to another, pass another vehicle, or merge onto a roadway from an entrance or ramp, according to the Colorado Driver Handbook. Drivers are also required to do the following when changing lanes:

Turn on their turn signal. This lets other drivers know what their intentions are.
Check their mirrors.
Check their blind spots.
After confirming that the lane change is safe to make, they should change lanes.
Turn off their turn signal after completing the maneuver.

When a driver fails to take the steps outlined above or makes a lane change when passing is not permitted, they not only put their lives at risk but all others who are sharing the roadway with them. And if a driver causes a fatal car accident as a result of making an unsafe lane change, they can be held liable for compensating certain surviving family members if they have the grounds to file suit against them.

Generally, when someone else’s negligent actions cause a person’s death, their family can use this as a basis for filing their lawsuit. For example, if a driver cut in front of another motorist while speeding because he/she was in a rush and caused a collision, the surviving family of the decedent may have a viable wrongful death case against that driver.

How does a family member know if they have a valid wrongful death claim?

If a family lost someone close to them and their death was caused by someone else’s recklessness or carelessness, they should consider contacting a Denver, CO wrongful death attorney. The lawyers at Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC can help a family understand if they have the grounds to sue another party and what damages they may be entitled to recover. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the matter, the surviving family members may be entitled to recover money for: