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Left-hand turn accidents are particularly dangerous for the occupants of both vehicles. They often cause T-bone car accidents, in which the front of one car crashes into the broad side of the other car. For the driver whose car struck the other, they may have an impact that is similar to a head-on car accident. If there are occupants on the driver’s side of the vehicle that are struck, they are at risk of serious injuries. However, liability for a left-hand turn accident is not always clear at the scene, and it may require further investigation from a car accident lawyer.
Although there is no such thing as an ironclad rule in every car accident case, there are presumptions that are at play. Typically, the driver who is already established in traffic is the one who has the right of way. This would make the motorist who was in the process of making a left-hand turn at the time of the accident the one who is to blame for the crash. They should have scanned oncoming traffic to see if they had enough time to make the turn before they proceeded. However, this is only a presumption, and it is subject to rebuttal if the driver who was making the turn can come up with evidence that shows that the other motorist was to blame.
There are times when the driver making the left-hand turn is actually the one who has the right of way, and the other motorist would be responsible. In other cases, the driver may have been making a turn, believing that they had enough time to complete the maneuver, but the other driver was speeding. Then, the driver making the turn would not have been to blame for misjudging the amount of time that they had.
Regardless of whether you were the driver making the turn or the one who struck the other car, you should consider contacting a car accident lawyer to conduct a full investigation of the accident. Even if a legal presumption is in your favor, you may still need to deal with accusations that you were the one to blame for the accident. A car accident lawyer could gather evidence that you would include with a claim or lawsuit that may entitle you to financial compensation. This evidence could include:
If you were driving the oncoming car and struck the vehicle making the turn, you would need to be prepared for the insurance company to raise the possibility that you were partially at fault for the accident. Besides arguing that you were speeding, the insurance company may claim that you were distracted at the time of the accident. Insurance companies often do this to lower their own liability. Since you are the one who has the burden of proof to show what happened in the accident, you may need to rebut these allegations, as unfair as they may seem. A car accident attorney can present evidence that shows what you were doing to establish that the other driver was to blame for the accident.
If you have been involved in any motor vehicle crash, the Macon car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC can vigorously represent you in the legal process as you seek financial compensation. We offer free consultations to prospective clients, and all you need to do is complete our online form or call us at 478-254-2007. Our office is located in Macon, Georgia, and we serve clients in Savannah, Albany, Atlanta, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbus, Crawford County, Oglethorpe, and Peach County.
Facing the aftermath of a serious accident can be overwhelming. Before you speak with the insurance companies, make sure you schedule a free consultation with the Macon personal injury lawyers at Childers & McCain. We can protect your rights while anticipating the insurance company’s tactics to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve. You don’t have to navigate this tough road alone – let our team of professionals help you move forward.
