Struck by a Semi-Truck Merging Onto a Highway: Can I File a Claim in South Carolina?
While semi-trucks always pose a hazard to the general public, they can be particularly dangerous when merging onto highways. These heavy, cumbersome vehicles have numerous blind spots – and they have a habit of swerving into the path of drivers. What can you do if you were struck by a semi-truck merging onto a highway? Could this lead to a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina?
Who Has the Right of Way When Truckers Merge Onto Highways?
Drivers who are already on the highway generally have the right of way. In contrast, those merging onto highways must yield to traffic. This means that when a trucker attempts to merge onto a highway, they must carefully watch for approaching traffic and enter the lane when it is safe to do so. You have no real obligation to avoid a semi-truck that is merging onto a highway. It is the trucker’s responsibility to identify a safe gap in traffic and enter the highway without causing a collision.
What if the Semi-Truck Was Moving Too Slow When Merging?
These accidents often occur when truckers attempt to enter highways at a snail’s pace. When vehicles travel at different speeds on a highway, crashes are almost inevitable, especially when both vehicles are trying to use the same lane.
The proper way to merge onto a highway is to match the speed of traffic beforehand. An on-ramp gives drivers plenty of time to increase speed before merging, and truckers should accelerate to a safe speed before attempting this maneuver.
Unfortunately, many semi-trucks are too sluggish to accomplish this. While struggling with poor acceleration, many truckers attempt to merge at much slower speeds than the surrounding traffic. This forces other vehicles to slow down on the highway to avoid collisions. Vehicles may also swerve out of the path of a merging semi-truck before impacting other cars or veering off the road.
Do I Have to Move Over to Let a Semi-Truck Merge?
No, there is no requirement under South Carolina traffic regulations to move into the fast lane in order to let a trucker merge. In fact, moving into the fast lane without warning can cause hazards for other drivers.
What if I Face Allegations of Contributing to the Accident?
If you face allegations of contributing to an accident, speak with a personal injury attorney in South Carolina. If you remained in the slow lane and you were struck by a merging semi-truck, you probably didn’t do anything wrong. You may be able to push back against these allegations, file a claim, and recover the compensation you deserve.
Can a Truck Accident Lawyer in South Carolina Help Me?
A truck accident lawyer in South Carolina may be able to help if you were hit by an improperly merging trucker. These accidents are more common than many realize, and they can lead to catastrophic injuries. They may also be fatal, leading to wrongful death lawsuits filed by the victim’s family members. Whatever the case may be, you can receive personalized guidance by contacting Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC today.
Source:
yahoo.com/news/move-over-drivers-merging-onto-090000186.html
