Determining Fault in Left Hand Turn Accidents
You might not think much of making left hand turns. After all, they are a common maneuver. Unfortunately, there is some risk involved in these turns. If a driver makes a left hand turn into oncoming traffic, it can lead to serious or fatal injuries.
If you suffered an injury in a left-hand turn car accident, you need a car accident lawyer to help you obtain damages. At The Tawwater Law Firm in Oklahoma City, OK, we can review your left hand turn car accident case to determine if you should file a claim.
Factors That Make Left Hand Turns Dangerous
Left hand turn accidents can happen for many of the same reasons as other crashes: speeding, poor road or weather conditions, and distracted driving, to name a few. However, left hand turn accidents also happen on account of other factors, including:
- Driver Error: The driver may misjudge the speed of an oncoming vehicle or forget to signal before turning.
- Obstructed View: The driver’s view may be obstructed by the pillars surrounding the windshield.
- Miscalculation: The driver may miscalculate the ground he or she must cover in the intersection.
Who Is Liable?
While each auto accident case is unique and requires a thorough investigation, left hand turn collisions are typically the fault of the driver turning left. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure it is safe to turn.
However, there are situations in which the oncoming driver may be at fault:
- The oncoming driver was speeding
- The oncoming driver was distracted
- The oncoming driver went through a red light or stop sign
- The oncoming driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The oncoming driver was driving without a license
Proving Fault in Left Hand Turn Collision Cases
Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law, fault for an auto accident may be shared by more than one driver. The victim’s degree of fault will determine how much compensation he or she is awarded.
For example, if the court awards $5,000 in damages and the victim is 20 percent responsible, he or she would receive $4,000, or 80 percent. Drivers who share 50 percent or more of the blame cannot receive damages.
If you suffer an injury in a left-hand turn car accident, it is essential that you seek advice from a car accident attorney. The key issue that will need to be resolved is who was fault.
Our team of attorneys will collect evidence including police reports, witness statements, accident diagrams, citations, and more. Using this evidence, we will build a case to prove that the other driver was at fault.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Whether they involve cars, buses, motorcycles, or commercial trucks, auto accidents can have a profound impact on you financially and emotionally. If you suffered an injury in a left-hand turn car accident, the attorneys at The Tawwater Law Firm will work to prove the other driver was at fault and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. To schedule a time for a case review, contact us online or call (405) 607-1400.