Teen Causes Severe Crash in Tampa After Trying to Change Lanes

The simple act of trying to change lanes can lead to serious car accidents in Tampa. This became clear after a severe crash on I-4 that claimed the life of a teenager and injured six others. If you believe your crash was caused by someone changing lanes, you might be correct. An experienced Tampa car accident attorney may be able to help you establish fault and pursue compensation.

Teens in Separate Vehicles Involved in Major Car Accident in Tampa 

In April of 2025, authorities in Tampa reported that a major accident had occurred on I-4. It began when a 16-year-old tried to change lanes while driving an SUV. That maneuver brought the SUV into contact with a Cadillac CTS driven by a 17-year-old. The collision sent both cars spinning out of control, with the SUV eventually smashing into a concrete barrier. The driver of the SUV only suffered minor injuries, but a 16-year-old passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt died in the crash. Two other teens in the SUV also suffered what first responders described as “serious injuries.”

The Cadillac flipped over after the crash, but the driver was completely uninjured. However, three passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. In total, six teens were injured in the crash – plus the single fatality. This accident shows how serious the consequences can be when someone switches lanes on a major highway.

The fact that so many teens were packed into two vehicles is also noteworthy. Authorities did not reveal whether the two groups knew each other, or whether the collision between the two teen drivers was purely coincidental. Generally speaking, teen drivers are more at-risk for serious crashes due to their lack of experience.

What Is the Right Way to Switch Lanes on the Highway? 

Because of the high-speed nature of highways, drivers should be very careful when switching lanes. Drivers should follow the “signal, look, maneuver” steps when switching lanes. Many accidents occur because drivers fail to signal before changing lanes, as this gives other drivers no warning.

Drivers should also carefully scan the surrounding area before moving into another lane. This might require them to check their mirrors and their blind spots. Finally, drivers should always avoid passing on the right on a highway. The right-hand lane is for slow-moving traffic, and drivers should pass in the left-hand lane instead. Passing on the right can cause confusion, increasing the chance of a collision.

Drivers who follow these steps may not be to blame for subsequent crashes. If a driver fails to give another motorist enough space when they signal, they might be at fault for resulting crashes – especially in regard to rear-enders.

Can a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Establish Fault?

 The authorities are often very quick to determine if a crash was caused by someone negligently switching lanes. However, the root causes of some accidents are sometimes unclear – and an experienced auto accident lawyer in Tampa could help uncover evidence of fault. To learn more about your next steps, consider contacting Anderson & Anderson today.

Sources 

fox13news.com/news/deadly-crash-slows-traffic-i-4-hillsborough-county

wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/i-4-tampa-crash-florida-teen-killed/67-06aee523-a3cf-4ac8-a053-d103047215ab