A Washington Post story reported 53.1% of crossing-path car crashes involved left-hand turns, while right-hand turns only accounted for 5.7%. Left-hand turns are so dangerous, UPS drivers will never turn left; it's a company policy that dates back to 2004.
Left-hand turns are no less dangerous in Florida, and when a Florida driver fails to execute a left turn properly, the consequences can be disastrous. After all, drivers who have the right of way don't slow down at every intersection just to make sure everyone else is following the rules of the road. The speed, impact angles, and the number of vehicles involved in a left turn collision can create a perfect storm for severe injuries, damage, or even death.
Can I Sue if I Was Injured in a Left Turn Accident?
In the state of Florida, a car accident victim has a legal right to recoup expenses and damages from another driver and the driver's insurance provider when fault can be attributed to the other driver. If you or a loved one has been injured, you may be entitled to recover damages pertaining to your medical expenses, loss of income, costs of rehabilitation, and damages for loss of consortium.
Who's at Fault after a Left Turn Accident?
Determining fault after a left turn accident can be difficult when the other driver didn't explicitly ignore traffic signals or a stop sign. You may only be able to determine fault through eyewitness statements and a thorough police accident investigation.
You might be worried that you shouldn't pursue legal action after you were hit by someone making a left-hand turn because you feel you're partially to blame. For example, maybe the other driver ran a red light, but you were speeding. Florida follows a comparative negligence rule that may mean you're still entitled to recovery even if you're partially at fault for the accident. The amount of your recovery may be reduced in proportion to how your actions contributed to the accident, but you could still be entitled to recovery.
After a left-hand turn accident in Southern Florida, you should call an experienced attorney right away. The other driver's insurance provider will try to get you to acknowledge comparative fault, and they could place more blame on you than was, in fact, the case. An experienced attorney won't let the other insurance company take advantage of you.
Call Our Left-Turn Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has experienced serious trauma and injury because another Florida driver failed to execute a left turn, the South Florida injury attorneys of Bottari & Doyle can help! For a free consultation, contact us online or call 561-588-2781.
