When car accidents involve a driver who makes a left turn against traffic, the driver in question is generally responsible for the accident. Those are the rules of the road in the United States. Traffic that’s proceeding straight ahead generally has the right of way unless there’s a four-way stop or a traffic signal with a left turn arrow.
If a driver making an ill-advised or illegal left turn leaves you injured, you need an experienced car accident lawyer from Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, on your side. While such a claim may seem straightforward, the negligent party might raise any number of legal defenses. An experienced car accident law firm will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. The dedicated legal team at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is here to help. Our experienced legal team has the skill and commitment to advocate aggressively for both your rights and your rightful compensation. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-898-4877, or you may WRITE TO US NOW for a free case evaluation!
Intersection Accidents: The Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a 2010 report, finds that, while intersections account for only a small percentage of the nation’s roadways, they see far more than their rightful share of car accidents. This, of course, includes left-turn accidents. Intersections represent the point of convergence where cars and trucks come together. Accidents are destined to happen. Drivers who perform illegal maneuvers, such as turning left against the signal—or pushing the left-turn signal—are the fourth-leading cause of intersection accidents.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents—or side impact accidents are common to intersection accidents, especially left-turn collisions. Such an accident happens when a car turns directly into the side of your car. One minute you’re minding your own business driving through an intersection, and the next thing you know a car is plowing into the side of your vehicle. Because these accidents seemingly come out of nowhere, they can be that much more stressful and emotionally challenging. And because the side of your car has far fewer safety mechanisms built in—like the crumple zone at the front and the trunk at the back—there is less protection from the impact of an accident. Finally, because the car that hits you in a left-turn car accident is likely pushing through a yellow or red light, there is every chance that the car is picking up speed as it rushes through. This means that all the variables necessary for a dangerous accident are in play.
Common Left-Turn Accident Injuries
Left-turn accidents are often startling events that cause serious injuries. While every left-turn accident is unique to its own set of circumstances, there are several types of injuries that are commonly associated:
- Whiplash – Whiplash injuries are typically caused when a car accident violently shakes the head back and forth on the neck. These injuries can be silent—and blossom over time—or they can present immediately. Whiplash injuries can be exceedingly painful and physically debilitating. Further, such an injury can turn into a chronic condition. Finally, whiplash injuries are highly unpredictable and can lead to secondary issues such as serious headaches.
- Broken bones – Broken bones are among the most painful injuries going, and a broken bone is often very slow to heal. If a broken bone doesn’t heal properly, it can lead to significant problems and can become a chronic condition—or even a permanent disability.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are injuries to the brain—the body’s command center —and as such, they are both highly dangerous and unpredictable. TBIs typically occur when the brain is jostled within the skull, as when the head is shaken violently on the neck during the impact of a left-turn car accident. An injury to the brain can cause extremely negative physical consequences, including cognitive, physical, and sensory complications. Injuries to the brain, however, can also be accompanied by serious emotional and behavioral components that many sufferers liken to a lost sense of self. In fact, this emotional factor can be even more difficult to overcome than the physical issues.
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can affect any part of the spinal cord, and they are not only extremely painful but also physically debilitating. When a vertebra, ligament, disc, or the spinal cord itself is seriously damaged, it can lead to a painful chronic condition that requires ongoing medical treatment and pain management. Because your spinal cord and your brain together form your body’s central nervous system, a spinal cord injury can negatively affect your body’s ability to coordinate movements and control physical sensations. When spinal cord injuries are very serious, they can result in partial or complete paralysis.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a left-turn car accident, seek immediate medical attention. Injuries can sometimes be silent, and even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, a significant injury can sneak up on you. Remember that early diagnosis often results in an improved prognosis. Soon after seeking professional medical attention, contact an experienced car accident law firm. Your claim matters!
If a Negligent Driver Injured You in a Left-Turn Car Accident, Contact an Experienced Left-Turn Car Accident Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today
If a driver takes an illegal left and plows into your car in an intersection, it’s pretty darn obvious that driver is at fault. Nevertheless, your claim is far too important to leave to chance or the discretion of the insurance company. Left-turn accidents are serious accidents that can leave you with severe damages that your car accident claim needs to adequately address. The dedicated legal team at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is here to do just that!
The legal team of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of car accident victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured in a car accident, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! Because we take all our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so please don’t hesitate to call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by CLICKING HERE.
