Everyone wants to outsmart the traffic on their commute. Sitting in traffic is tiresome and can lead to extreme fatigue, frustration, and tardiness. Impatience can lead many drivers to focus on choosing the best lane to be in or regularly change lanes during traffic to go as quickly as possible. Many drivers may be surprised to learn that while there is no data suggesting that any lane is superior for speed once traffic has set in, multiple studies (Science Direct, Sage Journals) suggest that lane changing is a major source of traffic and delays. Furthermore, the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released data indicating that lane changes during traffic are a major source of crashes and near-crashes. It is not these crashes that lead to the majority of lane-shift-caused traffic, however. Changing lanes slows down the vehicles behind you in both the lane you are in and the one you are entering. This shock wave distributes throughout the traffic and slows down cars continually as more and more drivers look to beat the traffic by switching lanes. Simply put, if everyone stopped switching lanes, traffic would improve tremendously.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have seen firsthand the devastation that can be caused by accidents. Drivers changing lanes recklessly can cause severe harm to others on the road. Traffic leads to accidents – drivers are more likely to be aggressive in these conditions. If you were injured in an accident, don’t wait – take the first step toward the compensation you deserve when you contact us today.
Does lane changing really make you get there faster?
It’s impossible for a driver to have a comprehensive understanding of the traffic ahead of them. Lane changing can backfire just as easily as it can benefit you. Lane changes seem to increase when traffic increases, with more drivers trying to jostle for position due to the decreased speeds. Lane changes slow down the cars behind you and the cars in the lane you are switching into – they may also affect the other lanes if there are more than 2. It’s disruptive to the flow of traffic and a primary cause of extended delays.
What damages can be recovered by a personal injury lawyer?
It is important to do everything you can to prevent car crashes – they have devastating consequences. Our team of experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys has seen firsthand the emotional, physical, and financial toll an accident can take. Medical bills, property damage, and other financial costs add up quickly – the aftermath of a car crash can result in lasting financial distress and even bankruptcy.
We are proud to have protected countless clients from these financial struggles by recovering them the compensation they deserved. Our team has secured compensation for a wide variety of harms, including:
- Property Damage. Property damage can include your car and any personal possessions that were damaged.
- Medical Bills. Medical bills are often the highest expense in personal injury car crashes. Many of our clients have been especially in need of compensation for these large bills.
- Lost Wages. Any time missed at work – even an hour – can be part of monetary compensation recovered through litigation.
- Diminished Earning Capacity. If you have a diminished future earning capacity, such as a lasting disability or brain damage, this can be a major increasing factor for your compensation.
- Loss of Consortium. This refers to damages awarded for the loss of companionship, affection, sexual relations, and other aspects of the relationship with a spouse due to injury or death caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful act. It is a form of emotional damages specifically tied to the negative impact on the marital relationship.
- Pain and Suffering. Your pain and suffering can also be factored into compensation.
Our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers believes that you deserve the best financial compensation you can get. You’ve been through something deeply traumatic that, in some cases, may affect your long-term goals and dreams. We want to help you get them back or compensate you for their loss – contact us today.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form