When a driver makes an improper left turn and causes an accident, serious injuries and even death may occur. If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident caused by a reckless left turn, you may have a valid legal claim. You may be entitled to seek financial compensation for your vehicle’s damage, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Bringing a personal injury claim after a left turn car accident is often a complicated and challenging legal endeavor. For help throughout your case, work with a Marietta left-turn accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers. Call our office at (404) 888-8888 today for a free consultation with a team member.
Georgia Law Regarding Left Turns
When a new driver is learning to drive, they must memorize a considerable number of rules and regulations. One of the most important things that new drivers learn is how to safely turn left. Turning left into traffic is one of the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers make. When a driver fails to pay attention to their surroundings or fails to follow traffic laws during a left turn, they can cause a major car accident.
According to Georgia law, a driver who is turning left in an intersection must yield the right of way to approaching vehicles, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §40-6-71. Drivers who do not yield the right of way may collide with another vehicle and cause a side-impact or head-on collision.
Left-turn accidents may also be caused by a driver who:
- Drives drunk
- Drives under the influence of drugs or medications
- Is distracted by a cell phone or another electronic device
- Is not paying close enough attention to the road
- Runs a red light or stop sign
- Misjudges how quickly oncoming traffic is approaching
- Attempts to “beat” a red light by speeding through the intersection
A driver may be liable for any losses caused by a left turn collision if they broke the law or acted negligently and caused the accident. However, proving that the driver acted negligently is not always easy. The other driver may try to shift the blame and avoid taking responsibility for the accident. A Marietta left-turn accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you find evidence of the driver’s negligence and use it to strengthen your claim for compensation.
Call us at (404) 888-8888 today and speak with someone during a free case assessment.
Comparative Fault for a Left-Turn Accident
A left-turn accident may involve shared fault. Typically, the driver who is turning left is assumed to be the negligent party in a left-turn accident because drivers that are turning left must yield to other motorists. However, there are cases in which the non-turning driver is at fault, or both drivers share fault for the accident. For example, if you were struck by a vehicle turning left, but you were also speeding, you may be considered partially liable for the accident.
If your actions contributed to a left-turn accident, you may still be able to recover compensation. In situations like this, Georgia courts operate under a modified comparative negligence system. An injured claimant may still be able to recover compensation for an accident even if he or she also acted negligently.
Georgia law bars recovery for claimants who are 50 percent responsible or more for an injury-causing accident, according to OCGA §51-12-33. However, if the claimant is less than 50 percent at fault, they may still be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages. The amount of compensation they may receive is reduced by their percentage of fault. An attorney from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you understand if comparative negligence will be a factor in your case.
For a free legal consultation with a left-turn accidents lawyer serving Marietta, call (404) 888-8888
Recoverable Losses in a Left-Turn Accident Claim
Car accidents caused by improper left turns are often broadside or T-bone collisions. Other motorists, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists may sustain serious injuries and property damage in a left-turn accident. Medical bills, lost income, and other costs resulting from a left turn car accident can also become a major financial burden. Through an injury claim, you may be able to seek financial compensation for these and other costs.
You could be compensated for:
- Hospital bills, doctors’ visits, medical supplies, and other medical costs
- Future medical costs you will likely encounter, such as medication or physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages from missing work
- Impairment to your income-earning capacity
- Vehicle repair costs or other property damage
You could also be entitled to seek compensation for your non-economic damages. You may pursue financial compensation for your physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
Marietta Left-Turn Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Seeking Compensation for a Fatal Left-Turn Accident
If you lost a relative in a fatal left-turn accident, the team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers understands that money cannot make up for your tragic loss. However, financial compensation can help you pay for the costs resulting from your loved one’s death.
Through a wrongful death claim, you may be able to recoup costs associated with:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs incurred before your loved one’s passing
- The loss of your loved one’s income and services
You may also seek compensation for non-economic damages such as the loss of your loved one’s emotional support and companionship, your loved one’s conscious pain and suffering, and your own mental anguish.
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The Filing Deadline for Injury Lawsuits in Georgia
If you are interested in pursuing compensation for an injury or death caused in a left turn car accident, you should know about the deadlines that may apply to your case. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits is typically two years. If you do not file your case before the deadline expires, you may be unable to seek compensation, according to OCGA §9-3-33.
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Work with a Marietta Left-Turn Accident Lawyer
The costs associated with a left-turn accident can be overwhelming. To learn more about filing a legal claim and pursuing financial compensation after a left-turn accident, consider working with a Marietta left-turn accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers. Call a team member from our office today at (404) 888-8888 for your free, confidential consultation.
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