April 30, 2024

Who Is Liable for a Left-Turn Car Accident?

Left-hand turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can make on the road. Not only must they be cautious, but any motorists approaching them in the oncoming lane must also exercise care. If not, there is a potential for a T-bone accident. The front of one driver’s car may strike the broad side of the others. This crash could have seriously hurt both motorists. Liability is not always immediately apparent in these accidents, and it requires the investigation of an experienced car accident lawyer to determine who may have been to blame.

Causes of Left-Hand Turn Accidents

There are several causes for left-hand turn accidents. Most of them relate to fault on the driver’s part who is making the turn. Common reasons for these crashes include:

• The driver misjudging the distance.
• Trying to make a turn after the light has changed to red.
• Distracted driving.
• The failure to signal before turning.
• The driver is trying to make a turn without visibility.

Typically, the driver making the turn is the one who must take care to ensure that conditions are safe before they begin the maneuver. That driver must check oncoming traffic to make sure that the pathway is clear before they execute the turn. Usually, the driver who is making the turn is the one who is held responsible because the motorist coming into their path is already established in their lane. However, this is not always the rule.

When the Approaching Car Driver May Be At Fault?

The driver who is approaching could be at fault in certain circumstances.  One of the most common reasons why this driver is blamed is because they are speeding. The driver making the left turn should have had enough time to execute the maneuver, but the oncoming driver was going way too fast, and the turning driver could not correctly judge the distance. In addition, the driver making the turn could have had a left turn arrow, and the other driver did not yield them the right of way. Still, if you were the driver making the turn, you would need to present evidence to overcome the presumption that you were at fault for the accident.

Even if there is a presumption at work in these accidents, you still need an attorney to investigate what happened to gather the necessary evidence to prove fault. Each driver may tell a different story; insurance companies must dig deeper to understand the truth. Your lawyer would need to speak with witnesses and review evidence from the crash scene to help prove your case.

Under Pennsylvania law, you may still recover some money even if you are partially to blame for the accident. Pennsylvania follows the rule of modified comparative negligence. You can still recover money, so long as you are not more than 50 percent to blame for the accident. The amount of your financial recovery will be reduced by the amount of fault that you bear.

The important thing is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The insurance company may be trying to get you to make a statement that could undercut your case. You need an attorney to communicate on your behalf and fight for you to get full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Contact a Norristown Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Firm of Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. After a Left-Turn Accident

A Norristown car accident lawyer at the law firm of Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. can tell your story and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.  Schedule a free consultation today by calling 267-861-7100 or contacting us online. We have offices in Philadelphia and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and we work with clients in Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.