Cars merging onto highway

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JSanborn103, May 22, 2022.

  1. JSanborn103

    JSanborn103 Medium Load Member

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    Whos fault is it if a car merges into the side of a truck when the car is entering the highway? I know they have to yield but can the truck thats in the right lane be blamed for not moving over as the car is entering?
     
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  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Good question.

    Whether posted or not, I think it’s a universal rule.

    Did ya get swiped?
     
  4. JSanborn103

    JSanborn103 Medium Load Member

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    Not yet luckily. I’ve had a few close calls over the years, I try to stay over a lane but sometimes I have to be in the far right. I was exiting the highway the other day and a small car tried to cut the line and went partially under my truck while I was stopped in traffic. Another truck honked at him and he got scared and drove away. I’m not sure why people do things like that. It seems like the ones merging onto the highway never yield though.
     
  5. Vision

    Vision Bobtail Member

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    You as the vehicle in the traffic lane have the right of way... They have a yield sign, which means they must yield to the traffic on the road... If they don't yield, then its their fault... Yet another good reason for dash cams fore and aft...
     
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  6. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The signs on the on-ramp say "merging traffic ahead" but the vehicle on the on-ramp is the vehicle that's merging. Or, I guess you could say "merging traffic ahead" means, you the vehicle on the on-ramp will be merging with vehicles on the highway. Vehicle on the highway has the righ of way. But, as a professional driver, you need to allow for idiots
     
  7. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Little road yields to big road.

    There are two problems with charging the truck with anything.
    1. The truck is already in a lane so the other vehicle would be leaving their lane to hit the truck.
    2. The law in all 50 states is it's the responsibility of the vehicle getting on the limited access highway to safely merge.
     
  8. JSanborn103

    JSanborn103 Medium Load Member

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    So could the truck possibly be charged with 25% of the accident and the car 75% so they’re both at fault or is it 100% the merging cars fault?
     
  9. Vision

    Vision Bobtail Member

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    Im not a lawyer, however my understanding is that you, the truck is in the traffic lane, and another vehicle is trying to MERGE into the space that is already occupied by you, they have to yield to you... Just like in sailing a boat, the least maneuverable craft has the right of way ... for instance your 14 foot skiff is headed straight toward an oil tanker... guess who has the right of way??
     
  10. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Is it ever the vehicle's fault when another vehicle hits it by changing lanes?
    Sorry you don't seem to like the answer, but it's the only valid one.
    It's always 100% the vehicle changing lanes (merging is changing lanes) fault.
     
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  11. rockeee

    rockeee Medium Load Member

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    I would suspect 100% car fault. I don't think an officer can write a ticket for "25%" of an accident. Maybe give two tickets for negligent or reckless driving if thats the case.
     
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