Representing Accident &
Injury Victims Since 1963
Injury Victims Since 1963
We Help Clients in All Parts of Injury and
Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful Death Claims
Lane Change and Sideswipe Car Accident Lawyers
Miami traffic moves fast. Drivers are always merging, weaving, and changing lanes on busy roads like I-95, SR-836, Biscayne Boulevard, and U.S. 1. A careless lane change can cause a serious crash in seconds.
At Wolfson & Leon, our Miami car accident lawyers have represented injured South Floridians for decades. If you were hurt in a lane change or sideswipe accident, we can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation. Call us today at 305-285-1115 for a free case consultation.
How Common Are Lane Change and Sideswipe Accidents in Miami?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard reports about 55,530 crashes in Miami-Dade County in 2025, based on preliminary data. Aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, and distracted driving remain major crash factors in South Florida.
Heavy congestion, multi-lane highways, tourist traffic, and aggressive commuting all increase the risk of sideswipe and merging accidents in Miami-Dade County.
What Florida Law Says About Unsafe Lane Changes
Florida drivers are legally required to make lane changes safely. Under Florida Statute § 316.085, a driver may not move from a lane until they have confirmed the movement can be made safely.
Many lane-change crashes happen when a driver fails to check a blind spot. Other causes include changing lanes without signaling, merging without yielding, drifting while distracted, or weaving aggressively through traffic.
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. After an accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays part of your medical expenses and lost wages. If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages.
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule also applies. Your compensation gets reduced by your fault percentage, and you may be barred from recovery if you are found more than 50% at fault.
Who Is at Fault in a Sideswipe Accident?
Often, the driver who moves into another lane unsafely is responsible for the crash. However, fault is not always clear. Insurance companies often argue about whether a turn signal was used, which vehicle entered the lane first, speeding, aggressive driving, blind-spot visibility, distracted driving, and road or weather conditions.
Finding fault may require reviewing crash reports, witness statements, vehicle damage, and traffic or dashcam footage. Florida’s comparative negligence rules mean even a partially at-fault driver may recover compensation.
Common Causes of Lane Change and Sideswipe Crashes
Distracted driving, blind-spot mistakes, improper merging, aggressive driving, and bad weather are leading causes of lane-change and sideswipe accidents in Miami.
Common Injuries in Sideswipe and Lane Change Accidents
Many assume sideswipe crashes are minor, but these collisions can cause serious injuries, especially if a vehicle loses control or hits another car, a barrier, or a guardrail.
Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain and spinal injuries, internal injuries, and permanent disability or disfigurement. Even minor injuries may get worse over time.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and wrongful death damages.
The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries. It also depends on the available insurance coverage and how the accident affected your daily life.
How Wolfson & Leon Can Help
Lane change and sideswipe accident claims often rely on evidence and insurance company tactics. Our attorneys investigate crashes, gather evidence, handle insurers, and work to maximize compensation under Florida law.
Wolfson & Leon advances all investigation and case expenses. You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What to Do After a Lane Change Accident in Miami
If you are involved in a sideswipe or lane change crash:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Take photos and videos of the vehicles, road markings, and surrounding area.
- Gather witness information if possible.
- Avoid admitting fault or giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer.
- Contact a Miami car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Florida sets deadlines for filing a personal injury case, so waiting can cost you your right to pursue compensation. Move quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Usually at Fault in a Sideswipe Accident?
Usually, the driver making the unsafe lane change is at fault, but both may share responsibility depending on the situation.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partly at Fault?
Possibly. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, you may still recover compensation if you were not more than 50% responsible.
Does Florida’s No-Fault Law Apply?
Yes. In most cases, your PIP coverage is the first layer of benefits, but if your injuries are serious, you may also have a claim against the driver who caused the crash.
Call Wolfson & Leon Today
If you were injured in a Miami lane change or sideswipe accident, Wolfson & Leon can help. Our attorneys have represented South Florida injury victims since 1963 and understand the challenges these cases bring.
Ready to talk? Call 305-285-1115 for a free, confidential, bilingual consultation. We’ll walk you through the next steps and what your claim may be worth.