Making a left turn may seem like a routine thing to do on the roadway, and in reality, every driver usually makes a left-hand turn multiple times each time they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. Unfortunately, unsafe left turns often result in car accidents that can cause severe injuries to victims. Here, we want to discuss how left turn accidents occur and who can be held liable for these incidents.
Why are left-hand turns so dangerous?
Left turns often lead to incredibly dangerous situations due to the nature of when and how they are made. According to data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 61% of all vehicle crashes occur while a person is turning or crossing an intersection involving a left turn.
Unlike right-hand turns, left-hand turns are typically made when crossing paths of oncoming traffic. Every driver has been in these situations – in our vehicles in the left lane at an intersection waiting for oncoming traffic to pass or for the signal to turn yellow so the turn can finally be made. Conversely, we have also been on the other side of that scenario – approaching an intersection where there is a driver waiting to make a left-hand turn across traffic in front of us.
These accidents, regardless of which driver is at fault, can lead to serious T-bone or head-on collisions that cause catastrophic injuries to passengers and drivers. It is not uncommon for the following injuries to occur as a result of a left turn crash:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
- Other severe back and neck injury
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
According to data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were more than 13,000 total vehicle collisions related to improper turning incidents across the Commonwealth during the latest reporting year. Many of these crashes revolved around left-hand turn accidents.
Determining liability in a left turn accident
Liability in these situations will depend on a variety of factors, including the actions of all drivers involved as well as traffic laws. In general, drivers are required to wait and yield to oncoming traffic before making a left-hand turn. In some cases, there are traffic lights that clearly indicate when a driver can and cannot make a left-hand turn. In other cases, a light may simply be yellow with the understanding that a driver will yield until the oncoming traffic is clear. Due to the laws in Pennsylvania, it is generally assumed that the driver making a left-hand turn will be at fault if their turn caused an accident.
However, there are also times when another driver may be at fault in these incidents. The following scenarios are when a left-hand turn driver may not be at fault:
- The oncoming driver was operating at a high rate of speed when approaching the intersection and was unable to safely control the vehicle.
- The oncoming vehicle unintentionally or intentionally ran a red light.
Any person injured in the aftermath of a left-hand turn accident in Pennsylvania should work with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure they are compensated fairly. Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements are more complex than other states throughout the country. Where a driver turns for compensation will depend largely on whether or not they have opted in or out of the no-fault insurance system.
When you need a Philadelphia injury lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation calling 215.228.0100.