Merging on a busy highway in Round Rock, Texas, can be dangerous, especially when drivers aren’t paying attention or refuse to yield the right of way. The risk of merging accidents increases significantly on interstates like I-35 during rush hour or in bad weather conditions. Given the angle at which vehicles can collide when attempting to merge, the types of injuries that can occur can potentially be catastrophic.
When you suffer injuries in an accident in Round Rock because someone else didn’t merge properly, it’s essential to consider your legal rights. You’re likely entitled to compensation to help you pay for medical expenses, short-term or long-term disability, property damage, and harder-to-value pain and suffering.
Contact the experienced Round Rock accident lawyers at Dow Law Firm to discuss your merging accident case and discover how our award-winning team can help you fight for the financial award you deserve.
What Causes Merging Car Accidents in Round Rock?
Merging accidents are most likely to happen when a driver:
- Refuses to allow another vehicle to enter their lane of traffic
- Doesn’t properly check their mirrors and blind spots before entering a new lane of traffic
- Merges into traffic too quickly or too slowly
- Cuts across multiple lanes of traffic
- Fails to leave enough space between vehicles
- Is too aggressive
- Doesn’t understand (or care) who has the right of way
- Refusing to adopt the zipper method of merging
Factors like distracted driving, drunk driving, driver fatigue, and road rage often play a part in merging accidents in Round Rock, as they reduce a motorist’s ability to safely enter a new lane of traffic or allow other vehicles to merge.
Who’s Liable For a Merging Accident in Texas?
When vehicles merge, it’s important to know who has the right of way. In Texas, the driver who’s already in the lane of traffic has the right of way. Vehicles that are attempting to merge into that lane have to use their discretion as to when and how it’s safe to change lanes.
For instance, if you’re attempting to merge onto I-35, you have to yield to traffic that’s already on the interstate. It’s up to you to find a safe point of entry, build up speed, and safely and seamlessly put your vehicle into the flow of traffic. Many times, the driver who’s changing lanes or entering traffic is liable for a merging accident because they fail to execute the maneuver safely.
However, just because a motorist has the right of way doesn’t mean they can never be at fault. Drivers have to be alert and aware of changes in traffic, including other vehicles that want or need to merge into their lane of traffic. If a driver is negligent or intentionally tries to prevent a vehicle from merging, they can be liable if an accident occurs.
Dow Law Firm Can Help You Fight for Compensation After a Merging Car Accident in Round Rock
When someone else fails to merge safely and causes an accident in which you’re injured, you deserve to be compensated. However, knowing what evidence to collect, how to prove fault, and how to build a compelling legal claim can be tough, especially when you’re up against a powerful car insurance company. That’s why you’ll want an experienced Round Rock personal injury lawyer fighting for you.
Backed by 39+ years of collective legal experience, the car accident lawyers at Dow Law Firm have helped crash victims and families in Texas win millions. We can offer the full-service legal representation you need to win your merging accident case and maximize your recovery, giving you time to recover and forge a path forward.
Call our dedicated Round Rock car accident attorneys at (512) 240-9951 today to arrange a free case review. Our team is available to help 24 hours a day.