How Improper Highway Merging Can Cause Serious Accidents and Injuries

Improper highway merging is one of the leading causes of car accidents and injuries on the road.

Imagine you’re driving on the highway, and the traffic is picking up. You see the sign for the lane ending ahead, so you start to merge into the open lane. However, just as you’re about to enter, a car speeds up and cuts you off, forcing you to slam on your brakes. The driver then gives you an angry look and hits the gas, weaving in and out of traffic.

This may seem like a minor annoyance; however, it is a serious issue. Improper highway merging is one of the leading causes of accidents and injuries on the road. To raise awareness and help keep people safe, let’s discuss the dangers of improper highway merging and what to do if you are involved in a highway merging car accident.

What Are Highway Merging Accidents?

Highway merging accidents occur when two vehicles collide while one is trying to enter the flow of traffic from an on-ramp or exit ramp. There are three main types of highway merging accidents:

Rear-end Collisions: These happen when the merging vehicle hits the rear end of another vehicle. They’re often caused by speeding or tailgating.

Side-swipe Collisions: These occur when the sides of two vehicles collide while they’re both trying to enter the same lane. They’re often caused by distracted driving or failing to yield the right of way.

Head-on Collisions: As the name suggests, these happen when the front ends of two vehicles hit each other. They’re often caused by drivers going the wrong way on an exit ramp or trying to enter traffic from the wrong direction.

What Are the Common Causes of Highway Merging Accidents?

Here are some of the most common causes of highway merging accidents:

Speeding: When drivers are going too fast, they have less time to react to changing traffic conditions which can lead to rear-end collisions and other types of accidents.

Distracted Driving: Taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, can make it difficult to judge when it’s safe to merge. This can lead to side-swipe collisions and other accidents.

Failing to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way are one of the biggest causes of accidents. When merging, you should always yield to oncoming traffic and let them go first.

Improper Lane Changes: Making a sudden or unsafe lane change is another common cause of accidents. When changing lanes, you should always use your turn signal and check your mirrors to ensure it’s safe.

Sadly, these accidents result in far too many deaths and injuries. Common injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries

These injuries often result in victims of accidents being unable to work, support their families or pay their medical bills. Fortunately, an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to help pay for your medical bills and other expenses.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you or someone you love has been injured in a highway merging accident, The Hoffman Law Firm is here to help. We have 25 years of experience and offer a free, no-obligation consultation.

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