Though making a left turn on the road may seem like just another mundane aspect of driving, it is worth noting that left turns are much more likely to result in auto accidents than right turns. If you were injured in a left-turn accident at no fault of your own, you are likely entitled to compensation from the at-fault party.
We have some of the Best Left Turn Accident Lawyers in Norcross
The left-turn accident attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. are ready to help. From negotiating with insurers to arguing in court on your behalf, we are ready to fight for you. Call us today for a free consultation with an experienced Norcross left-turn accident attorney.
Are Left-Turn Accidents More Common Than Right-Turn Accidents?
Yes, left-turn accidents are much more common than those involving right-turns. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), left turns are involved in over one out of every five auto accidents. Of those that occur at intersections, over 60 percent involved left turns. By contrast, right turns are involved in only 1.2 percent of all accidents and in 3.1 percent of those that occur at intersections.
There are many factors unique to left turns that make them more likely to result in an accident. These include:
- Failure to signal before turning left
- Higher probability of crossing multiple traffic lanes
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic and the time needed to safely turn
- Obstructed views of oncoming traffic
- Failure to notice traffic traveling in opposite directions through multiple lanes
Many other factors can also lead to accidents, including those involving left turns. For example, intoxicated driving, drowsy driving, and aggressive driving all increase the risk of causing a left-turn accident.
What Are Some Injuries That Can Result From a Left-Turn Accident in Norcross?
Like injuries sustained in any traffic accident, left-turn accident injuries can range from mildly painful to life-threatening. Common injuries sustained by victims of left-turn accidents include:
- Strains, sprains, bruises, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Head and brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should always see a doctor after an auto accident. Many injuries will not appear until some time has passed after the accident. Your doctor will be able to detect and treat those injuries before complications arise. Further, the medical records they create will serve as essential evidence in your case.
Who Is Liable in a Norcross Left-Turn Accident?
As in most states, Georgia drivers must yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn. This is true even when there are no stop signs or traffic signals. Failure to abide by these rules of the road often leaves left-turning motorists on the hook for the accidents they cause.
However, there are many instances in which oncoming vehicles could also be liable for left-turn accidents. For example, a green arrow on the traffic signal — also known as a “protected” green light —means that left-turning vehicles have the right of way. When this light is on, motorists turning left would not be liable for accidents caused when oncoming traffic fails to yield.
Similarly, stop signs at four-way intersections give motorists the right of way on a first-come, first-served basis. Drivers who fail to follow this rule and thereby cause an accident may be liable regardless of the direction they are turning. Contact our left-turn accident lawyer today.
How Is Compensation Calculated in Left-Turn Auto Accidents?
Of course, the value of your case will depend on the circumstances of your accident. The more serious your injuries and losses, the more compensation you may be entitled to from the at-fault party. Our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical and rehabilitative expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lowered quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Wrongful death
- Property damage
Do I Have a Time Limit for Filing an Injury Lawsuit for My Left-Turn Car Accident?
Yes. In Georgia, the governing statute of limitations gives victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation from an at-fault party.
Though most car accident cases are settled before they are ever argued in front of a judge or jury, it is still very important that you meet this deadline. Failure to do so nearly always results in your case being dismissed in court and destroys your leverage when negotiating an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party’s insurers.
A personal injury attorney can make sure your case is not compromised by missed deadlines. Call Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer today.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Left-Turn Car Accident?
Your personal injury case starts as soon as you are injured by someone else’s negligence. Therefore, though it is natural to feel shocked and disoriented in the aftermath of a car accident, there are some basic steps you should take early on to protect your right to compensation for your injuries. Take the following steps after being injured in a left-turn accident:
- Call 911– Immediately report the accident or have someone else do so for you. If needed, emergency responders will start evaluating and treating serious injuries while at the site of the accident. Further, police dispatched to the scene will document the accident in an official report. These reports normally contain a preliminary assessment of fault for the crash and can serve as important evidence down the road.
- Exchange important information –Identify all other drivers involved in the crash. Collect their names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurer names, and insurance policy numbers. Also, identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information.
- Collect evidence –If you can, document the scene yourself using photographs, videos, and notes. Make sure you get footage of injuries, vehicle damage, road conditions, inclement weather, signs of intoxicated driving, and anything else that may help prove fault.
- Seek medical attention –If you are not treated by first responders at the scene, you should have your injuries evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Failure to do so will give insurers room to argue that your injuries were not severe or that you were harmed in a separate incident. Further, the treatment records your doctors create will be used to calculate the compensation you are owed.
- Hire an attorney to handle your case – In many cases, an at-fault party’s insurer will contact victims soon after the crash. When they receive these calls, victims often admit fault, provide recorded statements, and accept lowball settlement offers before speaking to an attorney. This is a mistake. Do not fall prey to unscrupulous insurers. An attorney can make sure you know your rights and are not taken advantage of.
Contact Our Norcross Left Turn Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a left-turn collision through no fault of your own, you should bring your case to an attorney as soon as possible. The Norcross personal injury attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. are a phone call away. Our legal team is ready to evaluate your case, explain your options, and fight for you. Call today for a free consultation with a Norcross-experienced left-turn accident lawyer.