One of the most common vehicle accident types is left turn accidents. Generally, drivers making the left turn have failed to yield the right of way. Therefore, they are liable for damages caused by left turn crashes. However, an insurance company may try to shift some of the blame to you for the cause of the crash.
Three generations of lawyers at the WGK Personal Injury Lawyers have been fighting for the rights of accident victims in Maryland since 1977. Our Baltimore left-turn accident lawyers have over 80 years of combined legal experience to put behind the fight for your compensation.
If you or a family member were injured in a left turn car accident, seek legal advice before you accept an insurance settlement. Call our Baltimore, MD law firm at (410) 837-2144 for a free consultation. We’re here 24/7/365, so call now.
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How Can Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers Help Victims of a Left-Turn Crash?
Investigating a car accident case can be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, determining fault can be challenging and may require hiring expert witnesses, including accident reconstructionists.
Insurance companies have endless resources to fight claims. Therefore, it is in your best interest to even the playing field by hiring our experienced Baltimore personal injury attorneys. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you take the time you need to rest and recover.
When you hire WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your injury claim, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the cause of your left turn accident to gather evidence proving fault
- Consult with experts as necessary to build a case for negligence and liability
- File insurance claims and handle settlement negotiations
- Monitor the deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits
- Document damages and calculate the value of your claim
- Aggressively pursue all causes of action to recover maximum compensation
- Argue the case in court if the other parties refuse to agree to a reasonable settlement amount
If you were injured in an auto accident in Baltimore, Maryland, seek medical attention for your injuries. Then, call our office to schedule a free consultation.
What Are Common Causes of Left Turn Accidents in Baltimore, MD?
Left-turn crashes are often the result of driver negligence and carelessness. They often happen at intersections, but may occur at any location where a driver is turning left across opposing traffic lanes.
The most common cause of left turn collisions is failing to yield to oncoming traffic by running a red light or stop sign.
However, other factors could contribute to the cause of a left turn crash, including:
- Exceeding safe speed limits
- Distracted driving
- Misjudging the distance and speed of an approaching motor vehicle
- Drivers making left turns from the middle or far right lanes
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
Determining the factors that contributed to the cause of the left turn crash is essential for a personal injury claim. Only the driver who contributed to the cause of the crash can be held financially liable for damages.
Maryland Laws Are Clear About Left Turns
Maryland law is very clear about who has the right of way for a vehicle turning left.
Maryland Transportation Code §21-402 states that drivers intending to turn left must yield the right of way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. Drivers must yield the right of way when an approaching vehicle is close enough to be an immediate danger.
Also, Maryland Transportation Code §21-601 instructs drivers who intend to turn left at an intersection or crossover to be in the extreme left-hand lane available for traffic moving in the same direction. Drivers must also turn into a lawfully available lane for traffic moving in the same direction.
Determining Fault for Left-Turn Accidents in Maryland
As stated above, the driver turning left has a duty of care to ensure that he can safely proceed through an intersection or crossover without causing a crash. Therefore, accidents involving a left turn are often caused by a driver breaching the duty of care. For example, a driver turns left without a green arrow.
However, proving the driver was at fault could be difficult. For example, if the accident occurred when there were only two vehicles in the area, each driver may blame the other driver for failing to yield the right of way. It would be one driver’s word against the other without other evidence.
Insurance companies use Maryland’s strict pure contributory negligence laws to avoid paying injury claims. If the company can convince a jury you are even slightly at fault for the cause of the crash, you are barred from receiving any money for damages. So even if the other driver was 99 percent at fault and you were one percent to blame, you’d get nothing.
That’s why you want the Baltimore car accident attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers aggressively standing up against any unfair blame against you. It makes a world of difference in your case.
Our legal team searches for videos of the collision from traffic cameras and surveillance cameras. We interview witnesses and review police reports. In some cases, we may consult with accident reconstructionists and engineers who can determine fault by using the evidence from the crash site and property damage to the vehicles.
What Injuries Are Caused by Left-Turn Accidents?
Left-turn accidents can cause severe injuries and deaths. These crashes often result in head-on collisions or side-impact crashes, which can be deadly.
Common injuries in left-turn crashes include:
- Severe brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputations
- Organ failure and damage
- Chest injuries
The damages caused by these accidents can be significant. You can usually seek economic damages to compensate you for lost wages, medical bills, and out-of-pocket expenses. You can also be compensated for pain and suffering (non-economic damages) which can result in debilitating conditions.
You may be entitled to compensation for damages, but only if you can prove the other driver was at fault.
Schedule a Free Consultation At Our Car Accident Law Firm in Baltimore
You deserve fair and just compensation for accident injuries and damages. We’ve recovered substantial financial awards—millions of dollars—for deserving victims.
Please reach out to our law office to discuss your case. Call now for your free case evaluation from an experienced personal injury attorney in Baltimore, MD.
