How is liability divided when a rear-end collision occurs after changing lanes on a dashed line?
3 Answers
If a rear-end collision occurs after the front vehicle changes lanes on a dashed line but has not fully completed the lane change, the front vehicle bears full responsibility. If a rear-end collision occurs after the front vehicle has fully changed lanes on a dashed line, the rear vehicle bears full responsibility.
I've encountered a similar situation while driving. I was changing lanes in a dashed-line lane when a car behind me accelerated and rear-ended me. Generally, the responsibility mainly falls on the rear-ending vehicle because dashed lines indicate lane changes are permitted, and the core issue is the other party's failure to maintain a safe distance. Of course, if the lane change was too abrupt or done without signaling, some responsibility might be shared, but in most cases, the rear-ending party bears full liability. Traffic police will review dashcam footage or surveillance to confirm whether proper observation and signaling occurred before the lane change. This taught me a lesson: even when dashed lines permit changes, always transition smoothly and ensure mirrors are checked thoroughly to avoid accidents. Additionally, when reporting to insurance, it's best to take photos of the scene—keeping evidence can save hassle. The key to safe driving is developing good habits; never risk safety to save a few seconds.
As someone who frequently deals with insurance matters, I've seen many similar cases. When your car is rear-ended while changing lanes on a dashed line, the liability is mostly on the following vehicle, as traffic rules emphasize maintaining a safe distance and speed. However, during claims settlement, traffic police will scrutinize details such as whether the turn signal was activated for at least three seconds before changing lanes, whether the lane change was abrupt and affected the following vehicle, and whether the following vehicle was speeding or distracted. Evidence like dashcam footage is usually the most useful in proving negligence. Typically, the following vehicle bears full responsibility, but if the leading vehicle changed lanes recklessly, it may share partial liability. I recommend stopping immediately after an accident, calling the police, and not moving the vehicle until everything is settled before reporting to the insurance company for peace of mind. Overall, changing lanes on a dashed line is legal, but it doesn't guarantee absolute safety—drivers must always stay alert to environmental changes.
