Turning left is a particularly dangerous type of driving maneuver. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes, turning left was the “critical pre-crash event” (or the thing that made the crash inevitable) that occurred before 22.2% of crashes. Additionally, crashes at intersections are more likely to occur due to a left turn than other actions like driving straight or turning right.
If you were injured in a left-turn accident, a McAllen left turn accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins is here to help. We may be able to review the circumstances of your claim and fight for your fair recovery. Call us today at 877-239-4878 to learn more about how we may be able to help.
Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous
Left turns that are made when there is no green arrow or similar signal in effect can be particularly dangerous for the following reasons:
- It is difficult to gauge the speed of other motorists: when turning left, you may see another motorist but mistakenly think that you have enough time to turn before the other driver gets to the same point on the road. The NHTSA’s report says that the “misjudgment of gap or other’s speed” is one of the reasons that most commonly coincide with left-turn accidents.
- You may not be able to see: the NHTSA reports that some drivers have an obstructed view when they make a left turn.
- You may not be paying attention: distractions inside and outside the vehicle may also contribute to these accidents.
- You may not be looking for pedestrians: “inadequate surveillance” is another factor that can lead to left-turn accidents, according to the NHTSA. When you are turning left, you may be turning into a crosswalk where pedestrians are walking and may hit them.
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Common Injuries in Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn accidents are often “T-bone accidents” because the point of impact between the vehicles represents the letter “T.” These accident may result in serious injuries because they:
- May involve higher rates of speed, since one vehicle is often traveling straight through an intersection
- May be unexpected
- Impact a vehicle on its side, where there tend to be fewer safety features built into the car
T-bone accident victims may suffer serious injuries or even death. Some of these injuries may permanently disable the victim or alter his or her life for years to come. Injuries that may be associated with T-bone accidents include:
- Whiplash caused by the sudden jerking of the neck and shoulders during an accident
- Spinal cord injuries, including those that result in permanent or temporary complete or partial disability
- Fractures in the legs, arms, hands, feet, and wrists caused by the body crashing into the side of the vehicle
- Traumatic head injuries caused by hitting your head on a solid surface in the vehicle or the brain colliding with the inside of your skull
These injuries may be expensive to treat, and our team will fight to help you recover the compensation you need to cover your medical treatment. Call 877-239-4878 today for your free consultation.
Left-Turn Laws in Texas
The Texas Driver Handbook published by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) outlines the following rules that drivers must observe when turning left:
- Always yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming straight through from the other direction, unless there is a green left-turn arrow giving you the right-of-way to turn left
- You can turn left on a green light in Texas, but you must yield the right-of-way to traffic from the opposite direction
- Yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic if turning left while there is a flashing yellow light
- Signal for a lane change well before attempting to turn left and slow down at least 100 feet before the turn. Look in all directions before starting to turn. Yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
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Determining Liability in a Left-Turn Accident
Because most of the driving rules require the driver turning left to yield the right-of-way to other drivers, the driver turning left is often found at fault for the accident because he or she may have broken one of these rules, acting negligently in the process. However, there are some exceptions when the driver of the vehicle traveling straight through may be found at fault, such as when the driver:
- Was speeding
- Was not paying attention
- Ran a red light
- Had mechanical failure that contributed to the accident
Because these types of claims are not always clear cut, you may choose to retain the services of a McAllen left turn accident lawyer who can investigate your claim and help you prove how it happened.
How Our Personal Injury Team May Be Able to Help
Our personal injury team may be able to assist you with every aspect of your claim, including:
- Investigating the accident
- Collecting evidence to establish how the other driver was negligent
- Requesting and reviewing medical records
- Communicating with insurance companies and supplementing your claim as necessary
- Calculating the full extent of your damages
- Negotiating for a fair settlement of your claim
- Initiating legal action so that your claim is filed within the relevant statute of limitations
- Answering any questions you have during the process and advising you of your rights
- Protecting your rights throughout the process
Do not delay in seeking compensation for your claim. Contact our team today to get started.
Call for Your Free Case Evaluation
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we are used to standing up to big insurance companies and will not back down in the face of tough opposition. Your McAllen left turn accident lawyer will thoroughly review the circumstances of your claim and fight to make things right. We do not charge any fees upfront and offer a free case consultation to discuss your legal rights and options that you can arrange by calling 877-239-4878. If you decide to pursue a claim, we only get paid for our services if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us today.
