When you are at an intersection a left hand turn might seem like a simple maneuver. However a left hand turn can lead to one of the most dangerous types of car accidents, a T-Bone. An accident caused by a left hand turn can lead to severe and potentially life altering injuries, and long complex disputes over liability. A left hand turn accident can lead to mountains of medical bills and a long and arduous legal process, so how can you avoid a left hand turn accident?
In this article our Utah personal injury lawyers aim to help you understand the dynamics of these car accidents, and what you as a driver can do to stay safe and avoid these perilous situations.
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The Perils of a Left-Hand Turn
A left hand turn is a maneuver that a driver will do nearly everyday; however, it is inherently dangerous as it will have you crossing several lanes of traffic, which can greatly raise your chances of a collision. Making a left hand turn can be difficult as it requires the driver to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. While that may not be difficult to handle on its own, a left hand turn typically comes with a sense of urgency that can lead a driver to make critical misjudgments.
There are several factors that can affect your ability to make a safe left hand turn. These factors include objects obstructing your view such as light posts or other vehicles, distractions like your cell phones or a passenger in your car, or a misinterpretation of another driver’s intention. All of these combine to complicate a simple driving maneuver and can potentially lead to a life altering car accident.
In order to make a safe left hand turn consider following these steps:
- Take your time: A safe left hand turn is more important than getting to your destination as quickly as possible. Once you approach your turn, take your time and wait until it is completely safe to turn.
- Watch for Obstacles: If your vision of the road is obscured by a light post, or another vehicle then take your time to ensure that the road is clear before you make your turn.
- Drive Carefully: A left hand turn can be hard to control and your car’s positioning is critical to your safety. Try your best to keep your car directly in line with your turn lane, and avoid cutting your corner or swinging wide as it can lead to a potential accident.
How Liability is Determined in a Left-Hand Turn Accident
When determining liability in a car accident it comes down to a variety of factors. You may be found liable for a car accident for speeding, if you were driving negligently, or if there were any mechanical failures that may have caused an accident. But nearly every liability determination comes down to one factor, and it is who has the right of way at the time of an accident. Across the United States the law is clear, that the driver making the left hand turn holds the responsibility to wait for a clear and safe opportunity to complete their turn.
Here are some key points that an insurance company will take into account when determining liability in a left hand turn accident.
- Traffic Signals: An insurer will do their due diligence to check to see if all drivers were adhering to traffic signals. This means that they will check to see if a left hand turner had a potential green light, or if they failed to yield on a flashing yellow signal. They may also look into any other signs which dictate additional rules at an intersection.
- Oncoming Traffic: Oncoming traffic can be found liable for a car accident if they were exceeding the speed limit, or engaged with dangerous driving behaviors (texting, drinking, etc). This might assign the other driver some fault as they may have held some responsibility for the accident.
- Witness Statements and Camera Footage: An insurer will look through witness statements and camera footage to gather extra information for the accident. These videos can provide crucial information such as road conditions, the amount of traffic on the road, and driver behavior before the collision.
Contributory and Comparative Negligence
Some states follow a contributory negligence rule, where if a driver contributed to the accident in any way, then they might be barred from recovering any damages from the accident. Other states use a comparative negligence approach, where an individual’s ability to claim damages is reduced by their percentage of fault in causing the accident.
Here in Utah we abide by a comparative negligence rule with a 50% threshold of fault. This means that if an insurance company finds you to be at fault for 50% of the damages then your right to recover damages from the accident is waived.
What Should You Do If You Were in a Left Hand Turn Accident?
if you are involved in a left hand turn accident consider taking the following steps:
- Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you do not feel injured after an accident it is still crucial to seek a medical evaluation. Some injuries can go unnoticed and if they are left untreated they can worsen. Pursuing medical attention can help reveal any injuries that you have suffered from, and your doctor will be able to create a treatment plan to help get you started on the road to recovery.
- Gather Evidence: If it is safe to do so, take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as possible. This can prove as extremely important evidence in an insurance claim, and can help illustrate the severity of the accident. Make sure that you gather any witnesses contact information, as well as the other driver’s contact information and description of the vehicle they were driving.
- Contact a Utah Personal Injury Lawyer: Seeking prompt legal advice can help you protect your rights after a car accident. Your Utah personal injury lawyer will be able to help analyze the accident facts, gather evidence, and represent your interests throughout negotiations with an insurance company. Establishing liability on your own can be difficult, especially in a left hand turn case, but your Utah personal injury lawyer will be able to dispute any liability arguments and get you the compensation you deserve.
A left hand turn can lead to a car accident with significant and sometimes life threatening injuries. These accidents can come with their fair share of complex liability issues and they can be incredibly difficult to handle on your own. So before you take your next left turn, remember to be patient and wait until it’s safe. Being 30 seconds late is better than getting into a potential accident.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a left hand turn accident contact the Utah personal injury lawyers at LifeLaw Personal Injury. Our team of Utah’s best personal injury lawyers will help you through every step of the legal process, making sure you feel heard every step of the way. At LifeLaw, client communication is of the utmost importance to us and we take pride in being able to give you the best experience possible. Give us a call today for a free consultation and to discuss your next steps. 801-206-4002.