Tort Law

This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Changing Lanes and the related topic of vehicle accidents.   For more information on the topic of auto collisions see the page on Wikipedia.

Changing Lanes-Statutes

See Va. Code § 46.2-804.

Changing Lanes-Cases

2004 Rose v. Jaques, 268 Va. 137, 597 S.E.2d 64.

Changing lanes.Defendant claimed error for failure to grant instruction on contributory negligence. When appellate court is reviewing failure to give jury instruction, the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the proponent of the instruction. In this case as in any case, there must be more than a scintilla of evidence to support the instruction. In this case, the plaintiff was traveling in the right lane. The tractor trailer driven by the defendant was in the left lane and then moved to the center lane and then moved into the right lane, according to the evidence, depriving the plaintiff of any opportunity to avoid the tractor trailer. There was no basis for a contributory negligence instruction.

1987 Ragland v. Rutledge, 234 Va. 216, 361 S.E.2d 133.

In this case, bus driver while driving in correct lane saw truck in its proper lane. Truck driver maintains truck was in its proper lane. There was contact between two vehicles and no other evidence of where vehicles were with reference to two lanes at impact. Plaintiff has failed to prove prima facie case of how accident happened.

1977 Nicholaou v. Harrington, 217 Va. 618, 231 S.E.2d 318.

Evidence for defendant indicated plaintiff suddenly moved from right outside lane into passing lane. Statute on changing lanes applicable. Jury properly instructed.

1971 Surratt v. Thompson, 212 Va. 191, 183 S.E.2d 200.

Plaintiff was changing lanes at time of impact. Evidence contradictory as to whether plaintiff signalled turn and exactly where accident occurred.

1966 Neblett v. Hunter, 207 Va. 335, 150 S.E.2d 115.

Wrongful death auto accident. Plaintiff claimed his decedent lost control of her car when defendant veered into her lane of travel without required signal. Jury found for defendant, rejecting this theory. Reversed on other grounds.

1964 Terminal Cars, Inc. v. Wagner, 205 Va. 214, 135 S.E.2d 802.

Defendant changing lanes quickly to make left turn and rear-ended by codefendant. Jury issue as to both defendants.

1961 Rushton v. Mountcastle, 202 Va. 521, 118 S.E.2d 660.

Sudden changing of lanes and stopping was found to be proximate cause of accident.

1960 Standard Oil v. Williams, 202 Va. 362, 117 S.E.2d 93.

Defendant signalled for change of lanes. He began change and then pulled back into his lane and stopped quickly. Jury verdict for plaintiff was sustained.

1960 Ragsdale v. Jones, 202 Va. 278, 117 S.E.2d 114.

Requirement that changing of lanes be made in safety applies to intersections as well as open roadways.

1957 Williams v. Service, Inc., 199 Va. 326, 99 S.E.2d 670.

Automobile accident. Conflict as to where and when changing of lanes occurred.

1954 Tolbert v. Gillespie, 195 Va. 647, 79 S.E.2d 670.

Where white line dividing highway into traffic lanes has become so faint as not to be noticeable to drivers, center of highway is dividing line for users of road.

1953 Kidd & Taylor v. Little, 194 Va. 692, 74 S.E.2d 787.

Sudden change of lanes and resulting rear-end collision presented jury question.

1953 Laubach v. Howell, 194 Va. 670, 74 S.E.2d 794.

Every driver who intends to turn from direct line shall first see that such movement can be made in safety and when any other vehicle may be affected by such movement, he shall give signal which is plainly visible to other driver.

1948 Dey v. Virginia Transit Co., 187 Va. 635, 47 S.E.2d 552.

Motorist who turns suddenly in front of bus that is starting off from stopped position is negligent.