Approximately 61% of motor vehicle accidents that happen while turning or crossing an intersection involve a left turn, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Due to the potential danger of turning in front of fast-moving traffic, motorists must be very careful when making this driving maneuver. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to make these turns safely and harm others.
If a careless driver harmed you or a loved one in this manner, the Atlanta car accident lawyers from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help. We can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and pursue maximum compensation for the damages you suffered. Call us today at (404) 888-8888 for a free case evaluation.
Dangers of Left-Hand Turns
Motorists may not be able to make a safe left turn because of a variety of reasons. For example, weather conditions block their visibility of other motorists, motorcycles, and pedestrians. Drivers may also be in a hurry, misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic, or turn into the wrong lane.
Left-hand turn accidents often occur when a motorist fails to yield to oncoming traffic.
If a motorist is making a left-hand turn and darts into fast-moving oncoming traffic, the results can often be devastating. These collisions may cause fatalities or serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Chest and abdominal injuries.
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
Additionally, motorists making a left turn may not pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk, increasing the potential for a fatality.
For a free legal consultation with a left turn accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call (404) 888-8888
Georgia Left-Hand Turn Laws
Georgia lawmakers rewrote the law regarding left-hand turns to make it clearer for drivers. The current left-hand turning law states that drivers should turn left using the extreme left-hand lane that is lawfully available to them. If there are multiple left turn lanes to choose from, he or she should exit from the left-most lane, when possible.
If the driver is in the second extreme left-hand lane, the driver should remain in that lane while completing the turn. Drivers cannot change lanes once they have entered an intersection to make a left-hand turn.
Left-hand turn accident claims often come down to who had the right-of-way. According to Georgia’s right-of-way law, a driver who wants to turn left in an intersection or into an alley, driveway, or private road must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. This includes vehicles that are in the intersection or close enough to pose an immediate hazard.
The Georgia Driver’s Manual also provides the following instructions to make a left-hand turn:
- Signal your intent to make a left-hand turn with sufficient time for other drivers to be aware of your intention
- Move into the designated turning lane or in the extreme left lane if none is available
- Maintain a straight alignment of your wheels until you begin the turn
- Yield to any vehicles approaching from the opposite direction
- Do not attempt to make a left-hand turn until it is safe to do so
- Turn into the lane that corresponds to the lane from which you are turning
- Stop for any pedestrians in a crosswalk
- Do not change lanes while turning
Additionally, you cannot make a left-hand turn when traffic control devices do not permit this type of turn.
Atlanta Left Turn Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Who Is at Fault for a Left-Hand Turn Accident?
Based on the Georgia left-hand turn laws, the driver making the left-hand turn is usually found at fault for the accident, because he or she failed to yield to oncoming traffic. There are some situations in which the driver who was not turning may be found at fault, such as if the driver traveling straight through was doing any of the following at the time of the accident:
- Running a red light
- Drinking and driving
- Not paying attention because he or she was texting while driving
In some situations, an accident of this nature may be due to a manufacturing or maintenance error in a vehicle. Our Atlanta personal injry lawyers can investigate the circumstances surrounding your claim and determine who is at fault for your damages. Call us today at (404) 888-8888 to get started.
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Potential Damages in Left-Hand Turn Accidents
Georgia law allows accident victims to receive compensation for the full extent of the damages they have suffered in accidents that were not their fault. This includes economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include the losses that directly stem from the accident that can be more readily quantified, such as:
- The costs to replace or repair your vehicle.
- Medical bills, emergency room treatment, hospital stays, ambulance fees, and ongoing medical care.
- Cost of future medical care, including physical therapy.
- Costs for prescription medication.
- Travel to and from medical appointments.
- Lost wages.
If the accident caused you to become disabled or you were otherwise not able to return to work, you can also seek damages for your lost earning capacity, which is compensation for the difference between your current projected earnings and what earnings you likely would have made had the accident not occurred.
Additionally, you can seek damages for non-economic losses, such as your physical pain and suffering, as well as the mental and emotional damages that resulted from your physical injuries.
At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we understand that the aftermath of a left-hand turn accident is often devastating. Let us handle the claims process while you focus on your recovery.
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Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers is here to help victims who were harmed by a careless driver. Our Atlanta left turn accident lawyers are familiar with the evidence necessary to prove your case and will work diligently to obtain it so that you can receive full compensation for your injuries.
For a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us at (404) 888-8888 today.
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