In a merging accident, who’s at fault?

Merging accidents are widespread in West Virginia as well as other states. They usually happen because one or both of the drivers did something unsafe to force the merge. Here’s some information about merging accidents if you’re wondering who’s usually at fault in such incidents. Contact a personal injury law firm Huntington West Virginia office for more information. 

The Right of Way in Merges 

The vehicles on the highway usually have the right of way in a merging situation. The vehicles that are trying to merge from the ramp onto the highway usually have to respect a yield sign. That means that they have to wait for a safe time to come out on the highway and merge safely with the rest of the traffic. For that reason, the merging driver bears most of the responsibility. A personal injury Huntington West Virginia lawyer can explain this concept more thoroughly. 

Who Is Usually at Fault? 

As mentioned above, the merging driver would be held accountable in most merging incidents. However, there are some cases where a vehicle on the highway is at fault for a merging accident. Someone who is speeding down the highway may cause a merging driver to misjudge when they should enter, which could cause a collision. In some cases, both drivers are guilty of separate offenses, and they share the responsibility of fault. An auto accident Huntington WV lawyer can help you to pinpoint your level of fault in the matter. 

Why Merging Incidents Occur 

Merging incidents usually occur because something affects one driver’s judgment. Sometimes they occur because the weather is bad or because the traffic is congested. The bad part about congested traffic is that it can cause a merging incident to end up much worse than usual. The domino effect can happen and cause damages and injuries to several people and their vehicles. 

Are You Eligible for Personal Injury? 

It’s imperative that you contact a car accident Huntington WV lawyer at McClure Goad Law to find out if you’re eligible for personal injury compensation. You might be since West Virginia uses the comparative negligence guidelines to award compensation. You could still be eligible to receive compensation even if you were partially at fault for the incident. Schedule a consultation to find out more.