June 1, 2020 |
Car Accident Attorneys |
Maggie Karnath
Car accidents happen every day and with those accidents come lots of questions, the most common being, “who is at fault in a left turn accident?” The answer is not so simple, but who is deemed at fault depends on a number of factors including but not limited to the direction you were headed, if there was a traffic signal, and if you yielded to oncoming traffic before making your left turn.
In determining fault, these crucial factors come into play. For example, if a driver turning left had a green light, and an accident occurred, the other driver probably ran a red light or if you were going straight, had a green light, and were struck by a driver turning left onto the roadway, the left turning driver failed to yield.
Determining Fault in a Left Turn Accident
In many incidents of left turn accidents, a driver making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic is found at fault. Why? The driver who is on the roadway going straight has the right of way unless there is a stop sign or a traffic light. Of course, this is not always the case, and in some instances, the other non-turning driver is deemed at fault.
The rules of the road describe that those preparing for a left-hand turn should wait until the way is clear and the turn can be completed safely without impediment or incident. In other words, the driver who is turning left must yield to all oncoming traffic already in the roadway. All oncoming traffic should be observed, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
In most instances, proving the oncoming driver is at fault and liable for the accident can prove difficult, but there are exceptions. Exceptions in left turn accidents include the non-turning driver driving through a red light, the non-turning driver speeding through an intersection, or the non-turning driver was not in the field of vision of the left-turning driver when the turn was initiated.
After an Accident
In the event you were involved in a left turn accident, especially one with property damage and personal injuries, you should call on an expert accident lawyer for consultation. If you are concerned you were at fault, an attorney can advise you regarding your best defense to show the other driver was at fault. If you were the victim of another driver’s negligence, an attorney can help you make your case and hold the at fault driver responsible for damages.
Call on the Barnes Firm
Following your accident, you’ll need answers and the team at The Barnes Firm is ready to help. At The Barnes Firm Community, you will find the best car accident lawyers to represent you, putting your needs first and seeing that you get the compensation you deserve following your accident. Call today, The Barnes Firm experts are available 24/7 to help answer any accident questions you might have: (800) 800-0000.
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Left Turn Accident Fault , Left Turn Car Accident , Left Turn Car Accident Lawyers , The Barnes Firm
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