We have all seen that driver who turns without ever indicating he is going to switch his lane of travel or his direction. However, it is illegal. If a driver fails to signal his or her intentions, it is a violation of traffic laws and can result in a ticket. It is also the cause of numerous accidents.
Traffic laws require drivers to use a turn signal before pulling into traffic, pulling over, making a lane change, turning left or right, or merging. So, to sum it up, every time you see a driver do one of those things without signaling, he or she is breaking the law.
Negligence
If an accident occurs and a personal injury claim ensues, negligence is the key factor. All drivers have a duty. That duty is to adhere to traffic laws to prevent accidents and to avoid harming others. When you don’t obey traffic laws, you are breaching that duty. If that breach of duty causes an accident and damages result, all four elements of negligence – duty, breach, causation and damages – have been proven.
When negligence has been proven, you have a successful personal injury claim and you are likely to be compensated for your damages. In this case, failing to give a turn signal is negligence, however, it might be challenging to prove that the other driver did not give a signal unless he or she is willing to admit their error.
What The Law Says
The law says a driver must use a turn signal if he or she is changing lanes or turning. You are supposed to turn on your signal 100 feet before you are turning or changing lanes, which is about the distance that you would travel in two seconds if your vehicle is going 35 miles per hour. Failure to signal, as the law states, could result in a moving violation.
Failing to signal does not give other drivers adequate notice of your intentions, so it could result in an accident. The other driver might not have time to stop or react to your sudden lane change or change of direction. If you fail to use a turn signal, you are most likely at fault for the resulting crash.
Damages That Might Result
There can be a variety of damages that might result from a crash because of someone failing to use a turn signal. These damages might include medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, mental trauma, permanent scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and more. You will need to keep medical records, medical bills, photos of damages, repair estimates, statements from eyewitnesses, the accident report, and so forth to support your claim.
Consult With A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an accident where someone failed to use a turn signal, you will need to consult with an accident injury lawyer. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to get your case reviewed by a personal injury attorney.
