According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 22% of accidents that occur at an intersection involve left turns, as opposed to the 1.2% that involve right turns.
If you or someone you love is hurt because of a driver who negligently took a left turn, you have the right to hold them responsible for your losses. A Birmingham left-turn accident lawyer may be able to help file a claim based on the facts of your case.
At the Morris Bart law firm, we offer a free, no-risk consultation for people who have been involved in car accidents. We also work on a contingency fee basis only, which means that we do not receive any money upfront or out of pocket. We get paid only if we are successful with your case. That means you have nothing to lose.
For a free review of your Birmingham left-turn accident claim, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (205) 380-4158.
Reasons Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous
As noted above, left-hand turns are more dangerous than right-hand turns. This is true because:
- Drivers have more trouble staying in their designated lane when turning left
- Not everyone who turns left uses a turning signal to communicate the direction they are turning to other drivers
- It can be difficult to determine the speed of oncoming traffic and whether you have enough time to complete the turn
- Drivers must be able to watch traffic from three directions while they are completing a turn
- Visibility is sometimes obstructed by cars in the opposite turning lane, making it impossible to determine whether you can safely turn
If you or someone you love is hurt because of a driver who caused an accident when they made a left turn, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. For a free review of your left-turn accident claim, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (205) 380-4158.
For a free legal consultation with a Left-Turn Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries that Occur in Left-Turn Accidents
There are many types of injuries that you can incur in a car accident. Some of them include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): TBIs are a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. and car accidents are the second-leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations. These injuries occur when someone incurs a blow to the head, which can occur on impact during a car accident. Mild TBIs are often referred to as concussions. Severe TBIs can impair cognitive abilities and alter the victim’s personality.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries are not highly common, but they can occur in severe car accidents. When the spinal cord is injured, it cannot deliver messages from the brain to other parts of the body. People who sustain a spinal cord injury often require wheelchairs and other assistive devices to cope with their mobility loss, according to Healthline.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are common in car accidents. While these injuries usually heal fine with medical treatment and proper amounts of rest for healing, a broken bone can cause complications. If the broken bone pierces the skin, for example, the victim may experience severe bleeding. It also creates a possibility of infection.
- Knee injuries: Knee ligament injuries can occur as a result of a car accident. These injuries are usually extremely painful and require long periods of rest for healing. In some cases, the victim may need surgery to repair the damage to the knee.
Recoverable Damages After a Left-Turn Accident
Every case is different, so there is no way for us to estimate your damages without first examining the details of your left-turn accident claim. That said, some of the types of damages that victims may be able to recover include, but are not limited to:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Lost wages
- Future wages if earning potential is lost or diminished
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
Wrongful Death
If your loved one died because of the severity of their injuries, your family may be entitled to damages recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit, including:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the care you provided for the deceased before their death
- Loss of support and protection
- Loss of consortium
- Medical costs left to the family to pay
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Laws You Should Know About
There are two laws, specifically, that you should be aware of related to your car accident: the statute of limitations and the legal doctrine of contributory negligence.
The Alabama statute of limitations places a two-year limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim after a personal injury accident. That means if you do not file your claim within two years, you will generally be barred from recovering any type of compensation.
The other law of which you should be aware of is the legal doctrine of contributory negligence. This legal doctrine blocks the plaintiff from recovering any amount of compensation if they are even partially responsible for the accident. Contributory negligence is a common tactic that defense lawyers use. They may claim that you are more responsible for an accident than you really are based on the facts of your case.
A Birmingham left-turn accident lawyer can defend you against underhanded tactics like these, and if necessary, solicit the help of accident scene reconstruction experts to use advanced technology to provide liability in your case.
Contact a Birmingham Left-Turn Accident Lawyer Today
We are here to help take the burden of pursuing compensation off your shoulders. We can gather evidence to build a strong case and pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. We have access to a wide network of professionals and experts to help us with your case, including medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts. For a free, no-risk review of your case, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (205) 380-4158.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
