When roads intersect and drivers must adhere to traffic laws and make quick decisions, accidents are more likely to occur. Nearly half of all traffic injuries and a quarter of all fatalities happen in intersections, including in Washington. One of the most common causes of car accidents at intersections occurs when drivers make left turns.
If you’ve been involved in such an accident, consulting a car accident lawyer in Arlington from Wells Trumbull can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What makes left turns so dangerous, and what types of accidents and injuries are attributable to left turns in Washington?
What Makes Left Turns Such Dangerous Traffic Maneuvers?
Left-turn accidents are one of the most common types of accidents reported in police records. There are many reasons why turning left is dangerous, including the following common causes of left-turn car accidents:
- Turning left requires crossing one or more lanes of traffic, while turning right requires checking only one lane
- Drivers making left turns often focus on traffic approaching from the right and fail to see cars, motorcycles, bicyclists, or pedestrians coming from the left
- Drivers must quickly assess the speed of approaching vehicles from several directions before choosing when to cross lanes
- T-bone accidents and head-on collisions are the two most dangerous types of car accidents, and both commonly result from drivers making unsafe left turns
- Left turns require a wider turning radius, making it difficult to see pedestrians and motorcyclists
- The A-pillar window frame in many vehicles obstructs the driver’s view when making left turns
When making left turns, drivers must make multiple decisions and judgments within a very short time frame, including checking traffic in both directions, often in various lanes, and accurately assessing the speed of approaching vehicles in all directions to safely proceed with the left turn.
What Types of Washington Car Accidents Result from Negligent Left Turns?
Drivers must take all reasonable measures to ensure that they don’t cause accidents and injuries to others. Distracted driving, tailgating, speeding, aggressive driving, and intoxication all contribute to left turn accidents in Washington, such as the following:
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Commercial truck accidents (trucks make wide turns when turning left)
- Multi-car pileups
- Car vs. motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
When an accident occurs at an intersection, it can quickly result in serious or catastrophic injuries. Fatal car accidents also happen as a result of left-turn accidents.
When a driver fails to take all reasonable precautions while making a left turn and causes a collision with another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, the at-fault driver is legally liable for damages to the injured victims. Proving liability requires demonstrating the following:
- The driver owed a duty of care to others sharing the road
- They breached this duty of care through negligence
- Their breach of duty directly caused the accident and injuries
- The injury victim suffered significant damages from the injury
Damages in Washington left turn accidents often include medical expenses, lost income, future income loss, and compensation for pain and suffering. Some left turn accidents end in catastrophic injuries with additional damages or fatal injuries, in which case a family member can file a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Attorney Help?
Instead of leaving your car accident claim in the hands of insurance companies that are not on your side, call an Arlington personal injury lawyer from Wells Trumbull if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a left-turn car accident caused by a driver’s negligence. Contact an attorney from Wells Trumbull today.