Injured in a Lane-Changing Accident in Port Charlotte? Here’s What You Need to Know

Lane-changing accidents are a leading cause of crashes on Southwest Florida’s roads—including busy highways like I-75, US-41, and Veterans Boulevard in Port Charlotte. If you’ve been injured in one of these collisions, the details of how the crash occurred could determine who’s at fault—and how much compensation you may be entitled to.

At All Injuries Law Firm, we’ve helped accident victims throughout Port Charlotte, North Port, and Southwest Florida for more than 35 years. We understand how devastating these crashes can be—and how often they happen because another driver made a careless, dangerous move.

In this guide, we break down the 7 most common lane-changing accident types, how they happen, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’ve been hit.

1. Hit by a Car That Didn’t Check Its Blind Spot? You’re Not Alone

Many crashes happen when drivers fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes—especially on multi-lane highways.

Blind spot collisions are one of the most common and preventable types of lane-changing crashes we see at our Port Charlotte office. A vehicle may drift into your lane or merge without warning, often striking your car near the rear or side. Larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs have particularly large blind zones.

If you were struck by a driver who changed lanes without checking their blind spot, they may be found fully at fault. Our legal team has handled many such cases—gathering dashcam footage, side-mirror impact angles, and witness statements to build successful claims.

2. Sideswiped While Another Car Was Passing or You Were Passing Them?

Passing mistakes are a major source of sideswipe accidents—especially when a driver accelerates into your lane too quickly or without warning.

When a driver tries to pass a slower vehicle without checking for faster traffic—or misjudges the space—they may veer directly into an occupied lane. If both drivers try to change lanes simultaneously, a collision is almost inevitable.

We’ve represented injured drivers in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda who were hit during improper passes on Kings Highway, El Jobean Road, and US-41. These cases often involve high-speed side impacts, shoulder impacts, or vehicles pushed into other lanes.

3. Hit by a Speeding Driver Making a Last-Minute Lane Change?

Drivers who weave through traffic at high speeds are often responsible for rear-end or sideswipe crashes during reckless lane changes.

Speed-related lane changes often happen when impatient or aggressive drivers dart between vehicles, tailgate, or make last-second decisions. These sudden moves leave no time to react and can cause serious injuries—especially on highways like I-75 during rush hour.

We’ve helped clients recover significant settlements in cases involving high-speed lane change crashes. These often result in concussions, spinal injuries, and totaled vehicles—especially when larger or commercial vehicles are involved.

4. Were You in a Crash During Bad Weather and a Lane Change?

Rain, fog, and glare reduce visibility and traction—making any lane change much more dangerous. Poor weather dramatically increases the risk of losing control while switching lanes. Slippery roads, hydroplaning, and glare from standing water or headlights can cause a driver to slide sideways into another vehicle. On local roads like Veterans Boulevard or State Road 776, these accidents can trigger multi-car pileups.

If your accident occurred during poor weather, our legal team may work with accident reconstruction experts to show how the conditions and driver behavior combined to cause the crash.

5. Distracted Driver Drifted Into Your Lane? You May Have a Strong Case

Lane-change crashes caused by distracted drivers—texting, eating, or using GPS—are 100% preventable and often clear cases of negligence.
We frequently handle claims where the other driver wasn’t paying attention and drifted across lane markers. Even a few seconds of distraction can cause a collision. These crashes often happen on Midway Boulevard, Cochran Boulevard, or during stop-and-go traffic near US-41 intersections.

Florida law prohibits texting while driving, and we often subpoena phone records to help prove a driver was distracted. Our attorneys can help you build a strong case for full compensation.

6. Crash Caused by a Driver Who Didn’t Signal?

Failing to signal before a lane change creates confusion and leads to sudden, avoidable collisions.

Turn signals are essential for communication between drivers. Without them, other drivers can’t predict lane changes—leading to crashes, especially in dense traffic or when multiple vehicles attempt to change lanes at once.

If the other driver failed to use a signal—or signaled too late—their actions may be considered negligent under Florida law. We’ve successfully resolved cases involving failure-to-signal crashes, including one involving a motorcyclist struck on Tamiami Trail, resulting in a $600,000+ recovery.

7. Were You Injured by Someone Cutting Across Multiple Lanes?

Unsafe multi-lane changes (especially to catch an exit) are illegal and extremely dangerous—and they often leave the driver liable.

Drivers who dart across two or more lanes at once rarely check each lane fully. These quick maneuvers are common on highways near exits or merge points—especially I-75 south of Toledo Blade Boulevard and US-17 interchanges.

We’ve handled numerous cases where these sudden lane changes caused rear-end crashes, rollovers, and pileups. Evidence like dashcams and traffic camera footage can be crucial in proving the at-fault driver acted recklessly.
What to Do After a Lane-Changing Accident in Port Charlotte

Your actions immediately after a crash can affect your health, your recovery, and your ability to get fair compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a lane-change accident:

• Get to safety and check for injuries
• Call 911 to report the crash and request medical attention
• Document the scene – take photos of damage, location, and license plates
• Exchange information with all parties
• Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay
• Call All Injuries Law Firm before speaking to insurance adjusters

We can investigate the crash, collect evidence, work with accident experts, and protect your rights throughout the claims process.

Why Choose All Injuries Law Firm After a Lane-Change Accident

• 35+ Years in Personal Injury Law – exclusively serving Southwest Florida
• Local Office in Port Charlotte – not a referral service or out-of-town firm
• Board-Certified Attorneys – including Brian Sutter and Bryan Greenberg
• Millions Recovered – including $1.5M+ for accident victims in vehicle crashes
• Trusted by Our Community – with referrals from past clients, doctors, and other attorneys

Whether you live in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, or nearby, we’re ready to help you recover what you deserve.
Injured in a Lane-Change Crash? Call Us Today

You don’t have to face the aftermath of a car accident alone. If a negligent driver caused your injury while switching lanes, let our legal team fight for you.

Call All Injuries Law Firm for a FREE consultation.

We’re here to help you recover medical expenses, lost wages, and everything you need to move forward.