Abstract: Disclosed is a method for avoiding a collision in a lane change maneuver of a vehicle to a target lane, where objects in a lateral rearward space of the vehicle are detected by an ambience monitoring device and measures are taken to influence the vehicle. The method is characterized in that graded measures are provided that depending on their stage, involve warning the driver and/or intervening into a steering system of the vehicle and/or influencing safety devices. The measures of a selected stage are initiated, with the stage being determined depending on a relative position of a detected object with regard to the vehicle and/or a relative speed between the vehicle and the detected object as well as depending on the fulfillment of a lane change condition. Also disclosed is a device that is well suited to implement the method.