Is It Always Full Responsibility for Changing Lanes on a Solid Line and Getting Hit?
3 Answers
Changing lanes on a solid line and getting hit is always full responsibility. Here is an introduction to the content related to crossing lines: Solid line: Whether it is a single yellow line or a double yellow line, as long as it is a solid line, crossing is strictly prohibited, such as overtaking, turning, or making a U-turn. When driving, you should not cross the line without special circumstances. Dotted line: Whether it is a single yellow line or a double yellow line, as long as it is a dotted line, you can overtake or make a U-turn under the premise of ensuring safety. Single yellow lines are generally used on roads with four or fewer lanes (including bicycle lanes) in both directions, while double yellow lines are generally used on wider roads. At an intersection with a red light, a U-turn can be made on a solid line only when the left-turn signal light is green. If there is no dedicated U-turn signal light at the intersection and no prohibition sign for U-turns is set, it means the intersection allows U-turns. Unlike left-turning vehicles, U-turning vehicles can make a U-turn at a red light on the premise of not affecting the normal passage of other vehicles.
Last time I was driving on the highway, I witnessed a car changing lanes over a solid line and getting rear-ended. The way the traffic police handled it was quite nuanced. Many people assume the lane-changing car is always fully at fault, but the details matter. For example, if you cross a solid line to change lanes near an exit ramp, and the car behind could have avoided you but intentionally accelerated to hit you, they could share some responsibility. However, if you suddenly force your way into a lane over a solid line without giving the car behind any time to react, you’ll likely bear full responsibility. There’s also a special case: if the rear driver is drunk or severely speeding when they hit you, the liability ratio may be adjusted. Still, don’t push your luck—90% of accidents caused by crossing solid lines result in the lane-changing driver being primarily or fully at fault. Honestly, following lane markings is the easiest way to avoid trouble. If you must change lanes, make sure conditions are completely safe first.
Veteran drivers all know that solid lines are like walls! Having driven a taxi for twenty years, I've seen too many accidents caused by crossing solid lines. Whether you're fully at fault when hit depends on the specific circumstances. Typically, traffic police first check if the lane change occurred at an intersection or in the middle of the road, then examine whether the impact was on the side or the rear of the vehicle. For example, if you cross a solid line while turning and get hit on the door by a vehicle going straight, you're likely fully at fault. But if your car's front has already entered the lane and a rear-end collision occurs, a detailed analysis is needed. The key points to remember are threefold: whether the lane change was completed, the location of the impact, and whether the other party made any improper maneuvers. Dashcam footage is particularly crucial for traffic police when determining fault, as it can sometimes prove that the other driver was distracted, such as by using a phone.
