Merging accidents are some of the most unpredictable as no one really expects a driver to try and merge into a lane which is busy with fast flowing traffic. You may be on your way to work on SR-91 when all of a sudden a driver recklessly merges into your lane causing a collision.
Accidents of these types are typically severe because the traffic is usually moving at such a fast pace that the impact involving two fast moving vehicles could inflict serious injuries and damage to those vehicles involved.
If you are in this situation you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the reckless driver. However, it’s sensible to talk to a personal injury lawyer first.
SR-91 in California
State Route-91 (SR-91) is an important Californian east–west freeway and provides access to a number of places in the metropolitan area of Greater Los Angeles. It runs from Vermont Avenue in Gardena, a little west of the junction with Interstate 110 and then east to Riverside at the junction with the Moreno Valley and Pomona freeways.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On SR-91
The first thing you need to think about if you are involved in a merging accident is who is to blame. If it’s not your fault but you have been injured then you may be able to file a personal injury claim for compensation from the driver who caused the merging accident.
To be eligible for compensation you will need to provide sufficient evidence to back up your claim. As California has a pure comparative negligence rule it means that if you are partly responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to some form of compensation.
It’s just the question of deducting a percentage of your claim that represents the percentage of your fault.
When a merging accident happens on SR-91 the first at the scene are the police officers from that area. They will write a report based on what they observed when they arrived at the accident scene. This will determine who or what caused the accident.
You personal injury attorney can help to decide how much the other party who was involved in the accident was at fault. You need to be quick of the mark when filing a personal injury claim as the statute of limitations in California gives you 2 years from the date of the accident to complete the paperwork.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On SR-91
You and your attorney will have to be instrumental in finding sufficient evidence before your claim is filed. This means getting witnesses reports, a medical report from your physician explaining your injuries and what treatment has been given and what will be needed in the future, a copy of the accident report compiled by the police officer and a salary or wages document indicating what your earnings would be if you were able to work in your normal capacity.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It’s important to remember that winning a satisfactory personal injury claim is not easy. Insurance adjusters often try and negate the validity of a claim or only offer a very limited amount of compensation.
An experienced personal injury attorney at your side throughout the claim’s process is far more likely to lead to fair compensation being awarded.
