Merging on Texas highways doesn’t have to be a guessing game. This guide cuts through the confusion with expert-backed, statute-specific advice you won’t find in generic driving tips. Learn exactly how right-of-way laws work, master safe merging tactics, and uncover proven strategies to handle insurance claims if an accident occurs.
Plus, discover how Texas’s unique “proportionate responsibility” rule could impact your compensation—even if you’re partially at fault. Whether you’re a daily commuter or new to Texas roads, walk away empowered to protect your safety and your legal rights.
What You Should Do When Traffic is Merging Into Your Lane on a Texas Freeway?
There are actions you can take as a driver when traffic is merging into your lane on a freeway to make merging safer for everyone. When you notice traffic attempting to merge onto the highway and into your lane:
- Move to the lane to your left, when possible, to make room for merging vehicles. Use signals to indicate that you are changing lanes.
- Be aware of blind spots to prevent accidents with vehicles you cannot see.
- Do not tailgate. Leave room between you and the car in front of you to allow for safely merging onto the freeway.
- Adjust your speed to a slower rate to provide more room and safer conditions for merging.
- Be courteous by avoiding honking unless it is to prevent a collision, do not drive aggressively, and refrain from threatening or unpleasant gestures targeting merging drivers.
Aggressive driving should never be a response to merging traffic. Depending on the offense and charge, drivers in Texas face fines of up to $200 per moving violation and jail time.
What Drivers Should Do When Merging Onto the Freeway
Merging into traffic requires equal skill and patience to prevent an accident. Sideswipe accidents while merging can create a hazardous chain reaction. Implement these safe merging practices on Texas freeways:
- Use acceleration lanes to increase your speed and match the traffic speed on the freeway. Do not stop in the acceleration lane unless there is no safe way to merge.
- Check your mirrors for traffic, then look for a space to merge between vehicles on the freeway as you approach the end of the merging lane.
- Indicate your intention to merge by turning on your signal.
- Multiple merging lanes require you to yield to the car on your left, safely falling into the traffic flow without cutting off other drivers.
If an accident occurs while merging onto the freeway, move as far off the road as safely possible. Call 911 to alert law enforcement and initiate immediate medical care.
Who Has Right-of-Way When Merging Onto a Texas Freeway?
To yield the right-of-way means a driver allows another motorist their legal right to proceed first on the highway. Local and state laws dictate who has the right-of-way on Texas highways. Failing to yield the right-of-way to other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists in Texas can lead to significant fines and civil actions against a driver when an injury occurs.
Drivers entering the freeway in Texas should yield to left-lane traffic as they merge onto a multiple-lane roadway, according to Texas Transportation Code §545.061. Drivers traveling on the highway have the right-of-way. Merging into traffic on the freeway should only occur when it is safe.
Fault in a Merging Accident on Texas Highways
Merging drivers who cause a freeway accident in Texas are most likely liable for your damages. You may seek recovery of the damages you experience as a result of the accident by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Always discuss what legal remedies are available to you with a Houston car accident lawyer to obtain a more accurate representation of your potential recovery.
Drivers with the right-of-way may also be liable for an accident with a merging driver. Reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, and other negligent actions may result in a claim or lawsuit against you. Insurance adjusters play a significant role in assigning fault in any accident.
Understanding Texas’ “Proportionate Responsibility” Law
Multiple parties may also be liable in a merging accident in Texas. Texas law allows for assigning shared fault under Texas law. You have the right to seek financial compensation as long as your portion of responsibility in the accident is no greater than 50%. Then, the insurance company deducts your percentage of fault from the compensation you may receive.
Causes of Merging Accidents on Texas Highways
A common cause of merging accidents on freeways is the failure to yield to traffic. Crashes can occur when drivers try to force their way into the left lane to merge, fail to match the traffic speed, or fail to notice oncoming traffic in their blind spots. Other drivers cannot predict your intentions, and failing to signal may also result in an accident.
Traveling at erratic or unsafe speeds can lead to a crash, whether you drive too slow or too fast. Matching the speed of freeway traffic as you merge provides a more seamless experience. Unsafe speeds when merging may result in rear-end accidents.
Distracted driving can occur whether objects inside or outside of your car grab your attention, taking your focus away from operating the vehicle. Driving in construction zones in Texas or unfamiliar places may cause distractions. Talking, texting, eating, or interacting with passengers may also minimize your ability to merge safely.