Intersection Collision – Turning Left

Most Accidents Happen at Intersections

36% percent of all car crashes involve a vehicle turning left or crossing at an intersection.[1] This is, by far, the most common accident situation. The accident, if it does not involve a bicyclist or a pedestrian, will generally have one of two causes:

1. The car attempting to execute the left turn fails to properly judge the speed or see the oncoming car and turns into the oncoming car’s path; or
2. A car runs a red light/stop sign and collides with a car turning left or crossing at the intersection.

The situation of the car turning left is an extremely common occurrence and the damages and injuries can be catastrophic. The expected damages and injuries are elevated because of how the vehicles will collide. Either the collision will be almost head-on or it will be a t-bone type collision. Both situations will result tend to result in injuries to the drivers and passengers.

Who is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident?

In St. Petersburg, Florida, many light-controlled intersections have a left turn signal which provides the right of way to the left turning vehicle. In cases where the driver is executing the left-hand turn with the green turn arrow and is struck by an oncoming vehicle, the fault usually lies with the oncoming vehicle because that driver has run a red light. There are instances in which the light has malfunctioned and it is extremely important to properly investigate such situations very quickly.

Probably the most common accident involving a car turning left occurs when the driver of the car turning left fails to properly judge the speed or see the oncoming vehicle. The collision is often violent and completely unavoidable for the oncoming car or truck. The expected injuries are extensive and can be quite severe. Motorcycles are especially vulnerable in this situation due to the type of collision that will occur and the likelihood that drivers of cars may not see the oncoming motorcycle.

What are the Leading Causes of Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents, especially those involving left turns, are a common occurrence on roads. Statistics show that 36% of all car crashes happen when a vehicle is turning left or crossing an intersection, making it the most frequent accident scenario. These accidents often happen because either the car making the left turn misjudges the speed or fails to see the oncoming vehicle, leading to a collision, or a car runs a red light/stop sign and crashes into a vehicle turning left or crossing at the intersection. The resulting damages and injuries can be severe, often involving head-on or T-bone collisions, causing significant harm to drivers and passengers. Understanding fault in left-turn accidents is crucial, especially in areas like St. Petersburg, where intersections may have left-turn signals. To reduce intersection accidents, drivers must focus on attentiveness, avoid distractions, and refrain from aggressive driving behaviors. Injuries from these crashes can range from concussions and spinal cord damage to fractures and lacerations, highlighting the importance of seeking legal assistance promptly from experienced personal injury attorneys like those at Jones Law Group to ensure proper compensation for the injured parties.

How to Avoid Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents are generally caused by inattentive or distracted driving. In other words, simply by paying closer attention and putting down the cell phone most intersection accidents can be avoided altogether. Aggressive driving is another contributing factor in intersection accidents. The drivers attempting to make left-hand turns misjudge or fail to see oncoming traffic in their attempt to rush to complete the turn. The lines of sight are sometimes compromised at an intersection. For instance, when cars are facing each other, each in their respective left-hand turn lane, it becomes very difficult to see oncoming traffic. Executing a left-hand turn across several lanes of traffic with your vision impeded is a recipe for disaster.

Common Injuries in an Intersection Crash

The injuries sustained by people involved in an intersection accident can be significant and commonly include the following:

1. Death;
2. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries;
3. Fractured or broken bones;
4. Spinal cord damage;
5. Neck and back injuries; and
6. Lacerations and contusions that may have been caused by either the airbags or contact with the actual components of the vehicle.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer at Jones Law Group After an Accident

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you in the privacy of your own home.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of a car, motorcycle, or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

[1] http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811059.P