Louisville, Kentucky
Unsafe merges and lane changes on I-64, I-65, I-71 and the Watterson: how Kentucky law assigns fault in a lane change accident.
Reviewed by Larry Forman, Attorney.
On Louisville’s interstates and busy roads, drivers change lanes constantly, and many do it without looking or signaling. Unsafe lane changes cause sideswipes, spinouts and multi-car crashes. Forman & Associates represents people hurt in a lane change accident caused by a driver who changed lanes or merged unsafely.
Key takeaways
Where a road has three or more clearly marked lanes in one direction, a driver must drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and must not move from it until the driver has made sure the movement can be made safely (KRS 189.340(7)(a)). On every road, drivers must operate carefully, with regard for the safety of other vehicles (KRS 189.290). Drivers must give an appropriate signal before turning or moving right or left (KRS 189.380). On limited-access highways of four or more lanes with a speed limit of at least 65 mph, drivers may not use the leftmost lane except to pass, yield to merging traffic or when conditions require it (KRS 189.340(8)). Where there are three or more lanes in one direction, trucks may not use the leftmost lane except in limited situations (KRS 189.340(7)(c)).
Interchanges like Spaghetti Junction and busy stretches of I-65, I-64 and the Watterson Expressway see frequent merge and lane-change crashes. TRIMARC camera footage can help: see TRIMARC footage.
Your own PIP coverage pays first, up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, unless you rejected no-fault limits in writing (KRS 304.39-020). To claim pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, you generally need more than $1,000 in medical expenses or a qualifying injury (KRS 304.39-060). Kentucky’s pure comparative fault rule reduces, but doesn’t bar, recovery if you share some fault (KRS 411.182).
Most Kentucky motor vehicle injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash or the last PIP payment, whichever is later (KRS 304.39-230). Wrongful death and claims against government entities can follow different rules. Estimate your dates with our statute of limitations calculator, then confirm them with a lawyer.
Usually the driver who left their lane, because the law requires making sure the move is safe. Shared fault is possible.
Fault may be shared. Video and witnesses help sort it out, and Kentucky’s comparative fault rule applies.
No. Drivers must check blind spots before changing lanes.
Truck lane changes involve larger blind spots and federal rules. See our truck wreck page.
We gather the video and data that show who left their lane.
Get a free case evaluation or call 502-931-6788.
This page is general information about Kentucky law as of October 2026, not legal advice. Every case is different.
