Left-turn accidents are among the leading causes of serious car crash injuries and fatalities nationwide. While the individual making the turn is most often found at fault, trying to collect fair compensation can still present unexpected challenges. However, a Missouri car accident attorney could help you collect, analyze, and present the evidence you need to make a full legal recovery.
Common Causes of Left-Turn Car Crashes
Left-turn accidents can happen for any number of reasons. The most common causes of these crashes include:
- A driver speeding across an intersection to beat oncoming traffic
- Misjudging the distance or speed of approaching vehicles
- Not using a turn signal
- Taking a left turn without checking for oncoming traffic or in low-visibility conditions
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Determining Liability After a Left-Turn Accident
Missouri law requires motorists taking a non-signaled left turn to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. This includes:
- Cars
- Commercial vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Bicyclists
- Pedestrians
If a driver does not yield the right-of-way and strikes someone else in an intersection, be they in another automobile, on a bicycle, or inside a pedestrian crosswalk, they could be held liable for any resulting damages.
Calculating Damages After a Left-Turn Automobile Accident
The severity of a left-turn crash is dependent on many different factors, including the size and speed of all involved vehicles. While many left-turn accidents do not result in any significant injuries, car crash victims could sustain:
- Severe bruises and contusions
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Serious crashes could also be fatal or contribute to life-altering injuries, including those that lead to disfigurement, paralysis, and disability.
Missouri, unlike some states, does not currently cap the compensation you could receive in an automobile accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. However, you need to ensure you take the right steps to protect your recovery.
Protecting Your Legal Recovery
Whenever you are injured in a Missouri traffic accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation. However, your potential damages could be affected by the actions you take after an accident. You could protect your legal recovery by:
- Calling 9-1-1 after the accident
- Taking photographs of the crash
- Speaking to any potential eyewitnesses and writing down their contact information
- Seeking immediate medical attention, even if you do not believe you were seriously injured
- Contacting a Missouri car accident attorney
How the Law Office of Layton & Southard Can Help
Even though left-turn accidents are usually the fault of the driver who took the turn, you will still have to convince the other driver’s insurance company, the judge, or the jury that the other driver’s misconduct caused your injuries. While you might think you have an open-and-shut case, insurance adjusters will do everything they can to devalue or outright deny your claim. They might question your own actions in the lead-up to the accident or say that your injuries are not worth the compensation you need to recover.
The Law Office of Layton & Southard is dedicated to protecting the rights of car crash victims across Missouri. We can handle your communications with the insurance company, negotiate on your behalf, and take your case to trial if the at-fault driver and their insurance provider are unwilling to help.
Please send us a message online or call us at 573-335-3359 (Cape Girardeau and surroundings) or 573-517-7800 (Perryville and surroundings) to speak to an attorney and schedule your free no-hassle consultation.
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