Improper Lane Change Truck Accident Lawyers in Buffalo, NY 

Your Biggest Advocate in Your Fight to Justice 

When a truck driver makes an improper lane change, the consequences can be catastrophic. One moment, you’re driving along familiar roads, and the next—your world turns upside down. 

The Buffalo truck accident lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, know how devastating this is for you and your family. That’s why we’re here. With years of experience handling commercial motor vehicle crash cases, we’ll make sure you’re not facing this alone.  

What Makes Improper Lane Changes So Dangerous? 

Sharing the road with massive trucks is already nerve-wracking, but when a truck driver decides to switch lanes carelessly, things can go horribly wrong. 

Local roads can be tricky. Highways like the I-190 get congested fast, and trucks need extra room to maneuver. When drivers don’t check their blind spots or fail to signal, smaller vehicles get caught in the crossfire. Here’s what makes irresponsible lane changes so dangerous: 

• Failure to Signal: With stop-and-go traffic on roads like Elmwood Avenue, drivers often have no time to react. Without a signal, a vehicle can end up being sideswiped or forced off the road. Under New York law,  drivers are required to signal before making a turn or lane change. 
• Blind Spots (No-Zones): Trucks have massive blind spots—up to 20 feet in front of the cab, alongside both sides, and up to 30 feet behind. Drivers in these blind spots are essentially invisible to the trucker, making sudden lane changes a recipe for disaster. Accidents in these zones can lead to rollovers, pile-ups, and devastating injuries. 
• Driver Fatigue: Truckers often push themselves to the limit to meet delivery schedules. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 13% of commercial truck accidents involve fatigued drivers. While federal regulations limit hours of service, New York’s Hours of Service laws aim to prevent driver fatigue but are often ignored by negligent trucking companies. 

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident? 

First off—take a deep breath. We know this is scary, but there are steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your case. 

Get Medical Help Immediately 

 Your health comes first. Even if you feel “okay,” get checked out. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding may not be obvious right away. Facilities like the Buffalo General Medical Center specialize in trauma care. Get an MRI as well to ensure that hidden injuries don’t go undiagnosed. 

Call the Police 

 A police report is critical. It documents what happened and can serve as key evidence later. Officers from the Buffalo Police Department will gather witness statements, examine road conditions, and assign fault if possible. Under the law, drivers are required to report accidents that cause injury, death, or significant property damage. 

Collect Evidence 

Take photos of everything—vehicle damage, skid marks, road signs, and your injuries. Did the accident happen near a construction zone or intersection? Make a note. Details like these can help prove negligence. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information. Their testimony could play a vital role. 

Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone 

Insurance companies often try to downplay the severity of your injuries or shift blame onto you. For example, they might argue that you were in the truck’s blind spot or didn’t react quickly enough. Don’t agree to any settlements or recorded statements without consulting a lawyer. 

Call a Truck Accident Attorney 

An experienced Buffalo lawyer can secure vital evidence, such as dashcam footage, black box data, and trucking company records. With proper legal support, you’ll have a stronger chance of receiving full and fair compensation. 

Who’s at Fault for an Improper Lane Change Accident? 

 This is one of the first questions we’ll help you answer. Truck accidents often involve more than one party, which makes figuring out liability tricky. Here are the usual suspects: 

• The Truck Driver: Drivers can be held accountable if they fail to follow basic safety protocols, like signaling or checking blind spots. Where icy roads and narrow streets are common, these mistakes can become deadly. Distractions, such as texting or eating while driving, only add to the risk. 
• The Trucking Company: Companies that cut corners on driver training or maintenance can share liability. For example, if a company fails to ensure drivers comply with FMCSA rest requirements or neglects routine brake inspections, they could be directly responsible for the accident. 
• Equipment Manufacturers or Mechanics: Sometimes, faulty parts are to blame. Malfunctioning signals, brakes, or steering systems can cause a truck to swerve unexpectedly. In these cases, the manufacturer or maintenance crew could be held liable for your injuries. 

As your Buffalo personal injury attorney, we’ll leave no stone unturned. From reviewing inspection logs to analyzing road conditions, we’ll build a case that proves who’s at fault. 

These cases are no walk in the park. You’re not just dealing with a careless driver; you’re up against powerful trucking companies and their insurance teams.  

That’s why you need someone in your corner who knows the ropes. We’ve been helping families like yours for years. Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or litigating in court, our legal representation is built on one goal—getting you the compensation you deserve. 

How Much Could Your Case Be Worth? 

 It’s a fair question, and the answer depends on a lot of factors. What’s clear is that you deserve compensation for everything this accident has taken from you. 

Here’s what we’ll fight to recover: 

• Medical Bills: Emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
• Lost Wages: If you’ve had to miss work—or can’t return to your previous job—we’ll fight to make sure your financial future is secure. For example, if you’re unable to perform manual labor due to your injuries, your compensation should reflect this significant income loss. 
• Pain and Suffering: Truck accidents often leave emotional scars. Whether it’s chronic pain or PTSD, your suffering deserves recognition in the form of fair compensation. 

Your accident claim could also include punitive damages if the truck driver or company acted recklessly. Every case is unique, but you can trust us to maximize your settlement. 

The Challenges You’ll Face—and How We’ll Help You Beat Them 

 Truck accident cases aren’t easy. Here’s what we’re up against and how we handle it: 

• Multiple Defendants: When more than one party is at fault, things get messy. We’ll sift through contracts, records, and testimony to hold everyone accountable. 
• Trucking Industry Regulations: Federal rules about driver hours, cargo weight, and vehicle maintenance often play a huge role in these cases. Our deep understanding of these laws gives us an edge. 
• Insurance Tactics: Insurers love to minimize payouts. For example, they might offer a quick settlement that doesn’t even cover your medical bills. We’ll fight to ensure you get the compensation you truly deserve. 

At the end of the day, our focus is on winning you the compensation that you’re entitled to. 

Why Horn Wright, LLP, Is the Right Choice for Your Case

You need more than just a lawyer—you need a team that truly cares. At Horn Wright, LLP, we treat every client like family. We’ll take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and make sure you feel supported every step of the way. 

When you hire one of the best law firms in America, you’re choosing a team that has the dedication to take on even the toughest trucking cases. This isn’t just a case—it’s your life, and it matters.  

Let our truck accident lawyers help you get back up. Call us today for your free consultation, and let’s start turning things around.