Collision Risks When Making Left Turns

Every time you are driving, you’re exposed to a range of potential risks and hazards on the road, including the underestimated risk of making a left turn. While this is a routine maneuver, these turns can lead to dangerous collisions when they are not executed with caution.

It is possible you will be facing legal consequences if you were involved in a Florida left-turn collision and after analysis by legal teams and insurance adjusters you were found to be at fault. Then, you may be held liable for a range of expenses. To have your particular situation reviewed, connect with a Delray Beach personal injury attorney who has experience in left-turn accidents.

Misjudging Oncoming Vehicle Speeds

Making a left turn requires care, but often the speed of oncoming vehicles is misjudged. This is especially dangerous within intersections where you need to cross the path of traffic coming from the opposite direction.

Underestimating the speed of an oncoming vehicle means you could pull into its path, leading to a dangerous collision. This misjudgment often happens when drivers fail to recognize the distance of the approaching vehicle, road conditions, or their own vehicle’s acceleration capabilities.

To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to exercise patience and carefully assess the speed of oncoming vehicles. Wait for a safe gap in traffic before making your left turn, and remember that a few extra seconds waiting for the right opportunity can save you from a potentially life-altering accident.

Failure to Yield Right of Way

Another common cause of left-turn collisions is the failure to yield the right of way. Florida traffic laws mandate that drivers making a left turn at an intersection without a dedicated left-turn signal must yield to oncoming traffic, but not all drivers adhere to this rule, which can have disastrous consequences.

When a driver chooses to ignore traffic signage or right of way rules, they may try to sneak in a left turn when it’s not safe to do so. This aggressive maneuver has resulted in collisions with oncoming vehicles that have the right of way.

To prevent such accidents, always pay attention to traffic signs and signals. Even if you believe you can quickly perform a left turn before a hazard arrives, remember that yielding the right of way is a matter of safety for all road users.

Whether your mistake led to an accident or you’re the victim of a left-turn collision due to another driver’s failure to yield right of way, discuss your situation with a qualified Delray Beach personal injury attorney. Lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and will work to help you recover from the incident financially, as well as physically and emotionally.

Did a left-turn collision result in you being hurt? Legal assistance can be the difference between insurance companies fully compensating you for your losses or an adjuster making a low-ball offer. When you work with the attorneys at Earnhart Law, you have over 30 years of experience on your side. Schedule your free consultation today, call 561-265-2220 or contact us online.