Establishing fault is a significant factor in determining whether you get compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, left-turn car accidents are common. However, these accidents are preventable in most cases. As a victim of a left-turn car accident, you need to have the proper evidence to make a compelling case that someone else’s careless actions caused your injuries.

Establishing fault by yourself can be a complicated process. This is why you should hire a car accident attorney from Morris Bart to help you with your case. Working with a competent left-hand car accident attorney will significantly increase your chance of getting maximum compensation for your injuries.

The Dangers of Left-Hand Turns

Left-hand turns often disrupt traffic flow and require that the driver estimate incoming vehicles’ speed accurately. For this reason, left-hand turns constitute a significant safety hazard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that half of the car crashes in the United States happen at intersections, with many of them involving left-turns.

A distracted driver, or one driving under the influence, may fail to see oncoming traffic or underestimate the speed of the oncoming vehicles. Depending on the nature of the accident, victims can sustain injuries such as broken bones, whiplash, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, PTSD, concussions, and even death.

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Duties of a Left-Turning Vehicle

According to La. Rev. Stat. §32:104, the driver is expected to signal to other motorists if they want to make a left turn not less than 100 feet before an intersection. Louisiana Law adds that any driver intending to make a left turn should yield the right of way to any incoming traffic to prevent an accident. As a rule of thumb, never make a left turn until you are sure it is safe.

Do not accelerate to beat oncoming traffic if you want to make a left turn. This could pose a significant safety hazard because the oncoming vehicles could also be moving at very high speeds, thus causing a gruesome accident. Always be on the lookout for any vehicles, pedestrians, or other distractions that may block your view.

Exceptions to Liability in Left-Turn Accidents

According to Louisiana law, any driver who wishes to make a left turn must wait until they are confident they can turn without affecting traffic flow. If the driver made a wrong left turn and hit an oncoming vehicle, they will be held responsible for the accident. Such drivers are often cited as “violating the right of way.”

That said, there are particular instances when the driver may not be held responsible for causing an accident. Cases in which fault may be shared include:

The collision happened right when the traffic light turned red
The incoming driver was speeding
The incoming driver was driving too fast for the weather conditions
The driver ran a red light
The driver established that it was safe to turn, then something unexpected forced them to stop turning

The mentioned exceptions to liability can only be proven by witness statements, CCTV cameras, and vehicle damage reports.

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Getting Compensation as a Partially At-Fault Driver

In some states, if it is determined that the driver was partially responsible for the accident, they are not allowed to collect compensation. However, Louisiana uses a comparative fault approach when handling personal injury claims. Using this method, drivers can collect compensation for all damages, even if they are found partly responsible for the accident.A skilled car accident attorney may be able to help you get a lower fault percentage.

Let a Left-Turn Accident Lawyer from Louisiana Help You

After a left-turn car accident in Louisiana, you need to file a claim to get compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer. Unfortunately, insurance companies work hard to guard their interests by finding ways to avoid liability. Therefore, you should level the playing field by hiring an experienced car accident attorney, like the ones at Morris Bart.

Left-turn accidents are often hard to prove. At times, the court can assess the damage to the vehicles to determine the at-fault party. Expert witnesses may also be called upon to give a technical account of the accident.

It is helpful to hire an experienced left-turn accident attorney that can handle this complex legal process. At Morris Bart, our team of well-trained car accident attorneys can help you:

Carry out a thorough investigation of your case to determine the way forward
Gather all the required evidence to establish fault
Reach out to expert witnesses
Calculate the value of your claim based on your injuries and losses
Handle all negotiations with the insurance company
Litigate your case in court
Build a case for you using the available data

At the moment, you should be focused on recovery. Let our team leverage our 40+ years of experience to ensure you get rightfully compensated. Furthermore, our firm works on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not need to make any upfront payments.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Louisiana Car Accident Lawyer

If you get involved in a Louisiana car accident, you need a legal representative by your side. At Morris Bart, we know what it takes to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

If you or your loved one have sustained injuries in a left-turn car accident in Louisiana, contact us to book a free consultation.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.