Left Turn Car Accidents
Intersections are one of the most frequent locations of car accidents. Intersection auto accidents can result in significant financial damages, as well as substantial personal injuries. Of all the accidents that take place in an intersection, a significant portion are left-turn car accidents.
The experienced attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. in Brooklyn, NY can handle cases involving left-turn car accidents. Our legal team is prepared to fight on behalf of victims of left-turn car accidents so that they can get just compensation for accident damages.
How Common Are Left Turn Accidents?
Why are left-turn car accidents such a problem in the United States? It is because we drive on the right side of the road. So, any time a driver makes a left-hand turn, the vehicle will need to cross at least one lane of traffic that has vehicles driving in the opposite direction.
Based on data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), left turns result in accidents more often than most people realize. The NHTSA estimates that roughly half of the accidents that occur each year are intersection-related crashes. Of the accidents that involve cross traffic, just over half (53 percent) involve a vehicle making a left turn. Overall, the NHTSA reports that around 22 percent of annual car accidents involve a left turn.
Who Is at Fault?
In nearly all cases, drivers making left turns will be liable for an accident that occurs when they are crossing lanes of oncoming traffic.
Unless drivers are making a left hand turn on a green arrow, they must yield to oncoming traffic. Oncoming vehicles may be traveling at high speeds, so drivers making a left turn need to consider whether they have time to safely cross all lanes of traffic.
There are rare exceptions to the left turn liability rule, so it is always worth consulting with an attorney if you are being assigned liability for an accident that you don’t believe is your fault.
Accident Damages
Left turn accidents nearly always result in a side impact collision, which is one of the most damaging types of accidents. Left turn accidents are likely to cause serious or catastrophic injuries, especially if involved vehicles are traveling at high speeds at the time of the accident.
Victims of left turn car accidents may suffer physical, emotional, and financial damages that may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of wage-earning potential
- Pain and suffering
The attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. will consider all accident damages when seeking financial compensation for clients.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been involved in a car accident and would like to learn more about your legal options, you should discuss the details of your case with the experienced attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P. C. Call (718) 624-1211 to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.