Left Turn Car Accident Lawyers

Some drivers try to avoid left turns, but it’s hard to get around without making them. Unfortunately, these everyday maneuvers carry a certain degree of risk. When you turn left, you must yield to oncoming traffic. Errors in judgment — such as miscalculating the speed or distance of an oncoming vehicle — can lead to catastrophic consequences.

If you believe you were the victim in a left turn accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, physical therapy, and more. Read on to learn what you need to know about left turn accidents.

Left-Hand Turn Car Accidents

Turning left is a potentially dangerous maneuver when operating a motor vehicle. Because of this, many motorists attempt to avoid making left-hand turns.

When making a left turn, drivers typically must cross at least one lane of oncoming traffic. It is important to yield to oncoming vehicles when turning left. 

If a driver misjudges the speed or distance of vehicles in the other lane, the consequences can be devastating. When these accidents occur, victims may sustain catastrophic injuries and significant property damage.

Fortunately, the accomplished team at Morgan and Morgan can help you pursue financial compensation following a left-hand turn car accident. If another person’s negligence caused your traffic collision, you may be owed significant compensation.

With the help of a skilled traffic collision lawyer, you can pursue compensation for related medical bills, lost income, and other financial damages. Do not hesitate to reach out to Morgan & Morgan following a left-hand turn car accident.

What are the Dangers of Left Turns?

Left hand turns are a particularly dangerous maneuver for a number of reasons:

•     They require crossing at least one lane of traffic (and often multiple lanes).
•     They necessitate judgment calls regarding the speed and distance of oncoming cars.
•     They require the driver to estimate the distance of the intersection and how long it will take to pass through.
•     They sometimes leave drivers with an obstructed view as they turn or prepare to turn.
•     They often force the driver to account for multiple directions of traffic.

What are Causes of Left Turn Accidents?

Left hand turns are made even riskier amid negligent or inattentive drivers. These accidents may be caused by:

•     A driver turning into a blind spot
•     An illegal maneuver such as failure to yield the right of way or neglecting to signal
•     Distracted driving
•     Speeding

How to Determine Fault in Left Turn Accidents?

Most often, the driver making the turn is at fault in a left turn accident. In most states, traffic laws require that vehicles turning left wait until they can safely complete the turn before entering and proceeding through an area of oncoming traffic. The driver making a left has the right of way only on a green arrow.

There are, however, notable exceptions. The driver making the turn may not be at fault if:

•     The other driver ran a stop sign or red light.
•     The other driver sped through the intersection.
•     They began turning when it was safe to do so, but an unexpected event occurred that forced them to slow down or stop in the intersection.
•     The other driver was intoxicated.
•     The other driver was using their phone.

How to Make Safe Left Turns?

Without a dedicated left turn signal or lane, crossing a busy intersection can be tricky. Be sure to:

•     Use your blinker prior to turning
•     Remain patient, as drivers proceeding straight generally have the right of way
•     Ensure you can cover the gap with plenty of room to spare
•     Be extra cautious if your view is at all obstructed

Contact a Left Turn Accident Lawyer

At Morgan & Morgan, our highly skilled car accident attorneys understand that being involved in an auto accident is an incredibly stressful experience. We also know that the legal process can be overwhelming, so we’re here to help. If you were involved in a left turn accident, whether you were turning left or going straight, we’ll fight to get you the best possible outcome. To learn more, schedule a free case evaluation now.

What Are Common Causes of Left Turn Car Accidents?

Every motor vehicle collision is the result of numerous unique factors. But some circumstances are more likely to result in left-hand turn accidents than others.

Some of the most common causes of collisions involving left turns include:

• Drivers failing to monitor their blindspots
• Distracted or aggressive driving
• Driving at unreasonable or illegal high speeds
• Dangerous maneuvers
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Running a stoplight

These are only a few examples of situations that can result in catastrophic injuries for drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. No matter what caused your left-hand turn accident, it is critical to speak with a collision attorney as soon as possible.

If another person’s negligent driving led to injuries or property damage for you, make sure to contact Morgan & Morgan immediately.

How Can Distracted Driving Influence a Left Turn Accident Case?

If the driver of the oncoming vehicle in a left-hand turn accident is distracted, it may influence the claim. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. 

While most jurisdictions require the turning motorist to appropriately judge the maneuver, exceptions exist. Suppose the motorist in the oncoming vehicle is texting while driving.  

This may qualify as an illegal activity, regardless of the other circumstances. Whether you were turning or in the oncoming lane, it is critical to speak with a tort lawyer about the specific facts of your case. You may be owed compensation. 

Many states have laws and statutes in place that prohibit drivers from engaging in distracting activities while operating a motor vehicle. Distracted driving increases the risk of serious accidents and catastrophic injuries. 

Some of the most common examples of activities that may distract a motorist include: 

• Talking to passengers
• Having a cellphone conversation
• Texting or otherwise using a smartphone
• Watching videos
• Grooming, such as shaving or applying makeup
• Reading maps or using a GPS system
• Adjusting the stereo, MP3 player, or CD player 

These are only a few examples of activities that distract drivers. If you were involved in a left turn accident with a distracted motorist, make sure to speak with a knowledgeable car crash attorney. 

The skilled professionals at Morgan & Morgan have a thorough knowledge of accident statutes and laws across the nation. We will ensure that your rights are protected and that you seek the money you are owed.

What Types of Damages Can a Victim in a Left Turn Accident Case Recover?

When you have been injured or suffered property damage in a left-hand turn accident, you may be owed significant financial compensation. Most personal injury and accident cases involve two main types of compensatory payments, or “damages.” 

The two most common categories of compensatory payments are “special” and “general” damages. A seasoned legal professional can help you recover the total amount of compensation that you are due if you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision. 

Special damages are financial payments from the at-fault party, which are intended to pay back the victim’s direct monetary losses. Whether the victim was injured or not, they likely experienced significant financial challenges as a result of the left-hand turn accident. 

Some of the most common examples of losses that can warrant seeking special damages are: 

• Hospitalization
• Costs from doctor’s visits
• Prescription drug expenses
• Ambulance rides and other medical travel
• The cost of necessary surgeries
• Missed wages and lost income from inability to work
• Decreased ability to earn income or wages long-term
• Property damage, such as vehicular repair or replacement 

There may be other types of monetary losses resulting from a traffic collision. A skilled attorney will review the invoices, bills, and receipts related to your claim to determine the appropriate special damages value in your case. 

General damages are compensatory payments made by the liable party to repay the victim’s non-economic losses. Many of the worst outcomes from a car crash do not take the form of monetary losses. 

The personal and psychological harm from an injury or accident can be significant. Even though these outcomes do not cost money, victims still deserve compensation. Some common examples of losses related to this category of compensation include: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Decreased quality of life
• Emotional turmoil and anguish
• Depression, anxiety, and panic
• Disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Inability to engage in recreational activities 

These losses can be difficult to calculate accurately. Insurance adjusters and at-fault parties may try to downplay these intangible harms in your case. Do not let this happen to you.

Should I Accept the Insurance Adjuster’s First Offer in a Left-Hand Turn Accident Claim?

You should never accept an initial settlement offer without first speaking to a skilled car accident attorney. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible on each claim filed. 

This helps them boost their bottom line and decrease their losses. Adjusters are often trained to minimize the payouts on filed car accident claims. 

For this reason, you should be very cautious about accepting an initial offer from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. The company may be drastically undervaluing the losses you have sustained. 

When you consult with one of the accomplished legal professionals at Morgan and Morgan, we will thoroughly assess the facts of your case. This will allow us to determine the total value of your left turn accident claim. 

Our team will negotiate with the relevant insurance provider on your behalf. We will not settle for less than the full amount you are rightfully owed. You should not accept an inadequate amount of compensation when you have been the victim of a negligent motorist.

Will My Left-Hand Turn Accident Claim Result in a Trial?

Most civil claims for damages following car accidents do not result in a trial. In most cases, the relevant parties settle before a lawsuit is formally filed.  

However, this is not always the case. Some car accident claims do require a lawsuit and a trial.  

Because of this, it is critical to hire a legal specialist with the ability and willingness to pursue a lawsuit if necessary. Inexperienced attorneys may be tempted to accept a low settlement amount to avoid the possibility of a trial.

Fortunately, Morgan & Morgan is home to more than 1,000 lawyers with trial experience across the country. We will not settle for less than the total value of your left-hand turn accident case. 

If the relevant insurance company does not negotiate in good faith, we will file a lawsuit to hold them accountable. You should feel confident that your legal representative has your best interests in mind. 

Many smaller firms do not have the resources and experience to hold large insurance providers accountable. The legal team at Morgan & Morgan knows what is necessary to win cases against large corporations. 

When you hire us, you can rest assured your case will be handled by a skilled attorney with trial experience. Do not settle for less than the best.

Are Left Turn Accidents Common?

Yes. Accidents involving motorists making left turns are very common. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) suggests that left turn collisions account for more than 22% of all collisions nationwide.  

The same research shows left-hand turn crashes result in triple the likelihood that a pedestrian will suffer a fatal injury. Also, more than half of cross-path collisions involve at least one motorist performing a left-hand turn. This information highlights the importance of driver safety when turning left. 

Because of this increased danger risk, some drivers avoid left-hand turns whenever possible. In many cases, it is safer to find an alternate route. Turning left across lanes of oncoming traffic puts you and other drivers in a potentially hazardous situation. 

But if you have been injured or sustained property damage in a left-hand turn collision, you are not alone. Often, negligent motorists cause harm to others on the roadways. 

These common types of collisions often cause significant injury to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. When a driver’s negligence has caused you harm, you deserve justice. 

Because left turn accidents are common, the legal team at Morgan and Morgan has plenty of experience representing victims of these collisions. Do not allow the negligent party in your left-hand turn crash case to go unaccountable.