We have all seen a driver in the middle of the intersection waiting for a break in traffic so they can make a left-hand turn. If traffic is particularly heavy or if drivers have been waiting at the light for several cycles, then they are likely becoming impatient. We have also been in situations where we were approaching an intersection when the light turned yellow, and we had to decide if there was enough room to make a complete stop or continue safely through the intersection. These are everyday decisions that drivers make that sometimes lead to intersection accidents.
So who is at fault? If you have questions about your left-turn accident, then you should contact law firm immediately. They can tell you how much your case is worth. However, the following information gives a general background on liability in left-turn accidents.
Most of the time, the driver making the left-hand turn at an intersection is considered at fault for causing an accident. The burden of proof is on the left-turning driver since left-turning vehicles must yield the right of way to traffic approaching from the opposite direction and already in the intersection in order to avoid a collision.
The Driver Didn’t Stop At A Red Light.
A yellow light means to prepare to stop unless it’s impossible to stop safely because a car is behind you, and stopping would lead to a rear-end accident. If the light turned yellow before the driver traveling straight entered the intersection, and if they were able to stop their car safely, then they could be held partially or fully liable for a left-turn accident. What gets tricky is that if the approaching vehicle has yielded, then the driver making the left turn is free to do so.
If the car coming straight failed to stop at a stop sign or stoplight, and the left turning driver was waiting until it was safe to turn, then the driver traveling straight will be held liable for being unsafe. If the driver traveling straight was speeding and could not stop in time to prevent the accident due to their reckless driving, they will be held liable for their actions and behavior.
The Unexpected Happens
Another exception occurs when unforeseen circumstances arise. If a driver making a left turn waited until it was safe to make the turn, but something unexpected happened while they were making a turn, such as an animal or a child ran out into the middle of the road, or an obstruction appeared, then these situations can take away some of the fault of the left-turning driver.
Common Types of Injuries
T-bone accidents, or left-turn accidents, can lead to serious injuries, especially if the struck vehicle hits an obstruction like another car or an electrical pole. Among the most common types of injuries of T-bone accidents include:
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Injuries to the discs in the spine
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ranging from mild to severe
- Paralysis, either temporary or permanent, full or partial
- Fractures of the ribs, skull, pelvis, or anywhere else in the body
You can also file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for non-physical injuries such as emotional distress.
