Left-hand turns present a host of problems for motorists. A driver making a left-hand turn must cross at least one lane of traffic and drive through at least two crosswalks. Drivers must be alert to pedestrians, other vehicles, and bicyclists so they don’t crash into them. By comparison, a right-hand turn is much easier to complete and presents fewer risks.
At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, we see many clients who were hurt in left-hand turn accidents. These are complicated cases because it is not always obvious who is at fault. A motorist might be blaming you even though they ran through a red light or otherwise failed to yield. You know they are at fault, but you don’t know how to prove it. Contact our firm to speak with an Atlanta car accident lawyer in a free consultation.
When the Driver Making the Turn is At Fault
All motorists must use reasonable care while driving. Unfortunately, the driver making the turn might fail to exercise due care:
- Pulling directly in front of oncoming traffic. A car making a left-hand turn does not have the right of way unless there is a green arrow directing them to turn. On a green light, traffic passes through in both directions. A driver making a left-hand turn must ensure there is enough room to safely make the turn. Unfortunately, some drivers simply dart in front of oncoming traffic, causing an unavoidable collision.
- Failing to maintain proper surveillance. Drivers making a turn must watch for oncoming traffic but also check the intersections to see there are no pedestrians attempting to cross. Some drivers will simply make the turn—only to pull directly into a pedestrian who is legally crossing the intersection.
- Running a red light. Drivers in a hurry won’t even wait for a green light. They will make an illegal left-on-red turn, causing an accident.
- Turning while distracted. Left hand turns require full concentration. Some drivers are too focused on electronic devices, including cell phones. This is a major reason why they fail to notice how close oncoming traffic is.
- Driving while drunk. An intoxicated driver will probably lack any manual coordination and could possibly even nod off briefly thanks to the effects of alcohol. Drunk drivers sometimes are prone to making dangerous actions.
These are some of the primary reasons the driver making the turn will be at fault for crashing into a driver or pedestrian. Let’s go over the facts.
When Another Motorist is to Blame
The driver making the turn is not always to blame, even if they rammed into a car. A different driver could have fault for this accident due to:
- Running through a red light. An impatient driver might floor it to get through the intersection, only to end up crashing into a driver making a legal left-hand turn. Anyone running a red light cannot blame another motorist for the collision.
- Refusing to yield. At a four-way stop, a driver has the right of way if they are the first to arrive. Unfortunately, a different motorist might fail to yield to the car making a legal left-hand turn.
- Making an illegal U-turn. A driver making an illegal turn could crash into a driver who is attempting a left-hand turn.
It is not always clear who is to blame for the wreck. This is a critical reason why drivers should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer. Our job is to gather as much evidence as possible to determine fault for an accident. We can then advocate for our clients and prove the other driver failed to follow traffic regulations or made some other critical mistake behind the wheel.
Other Defendants Who Have Liability
In rare cases, some other entity could be at fault. For example, a road defect might cause an accident. Suppose the traffic lights do not work, or tree branches obscure a stop sign. These defects could lead to a crash even when motorists are reasonably careful. Call our office so we can investigate. We might visit the scene and take pictures of whatever defect caused the crash.
Common Injuries in Left-Hand Turn Accidents
We see many of the common injuries sustained in other wrecks:
- Facial injuries. Your airbag will probably deploy, which can actually cause facial injuries like abrasions, burns, or lacerations. Sometimes plastics or even pieces of metal are ejected as well, cutting a person’s face.
- Neck injuries. In addition to soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, a motorist can suffer a cervical fracture, herniated disc, or pinched nerve.
- Chest injuries. A motorist might break a rib or suffer a collapsed lung or heart contusion.
- Concussion and other head injuries. Serious head and brain injuries are possibly life-threatening.
- Abdominal injuries. The forces generated can damage the spleen, intestines, or kidneys. The lap belt can cut into a person’s abdomen and cause a hernia.
These injuries require immediate medical attention, so go to the hospital. Even someone who feels fine could suffer from slowly developing injuries.
Remember to hold your medical bills and other records to help with your legal claim. In addition to proving fault, we need to establish your full range of damages, including bodily pain. Medical records help support a claim and will be a focus in negotiations.
Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Left-hand turn collisions often happen in the blink of an eye. One second you are turning and the next you cry out in pain with the airbag in your face. In addition to medical care, many motorists are struggling with pain and a reduced income. You need a lawyer who understands the difficulties caused by accidents, but also has the legal skills to negotiate on your behalf.Contact Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys. We provide immediate value to clients thanks to our strong investigatory skills and sophisticated understanding of the law. In a free consultation, we can discuss your crash and how much your claim might be worth. Reach out to our office by calling (404) 529-3476.