Making a left-hand turn is deceptively dangerous. Some of the most serious accident cases that our team of Atlanta car accident lawyers handles involve a T-bone or head-on collision when one driver is making a left-hand turn.
Injuries from Atlanta, GA left-hand turn accidents can be permanently disabling, affecting your ability to work or care for your family. You could be left with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills and unable to continue in your line of work due to your injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a left-hand turn crash, you have the right to demand compensation for these medical bills and other losses from the at-fault driver. Contact Council & Associates, LLC, today for a free consultation with our Atlanta, GA car accident lawyer.
The Dangers Of Atlanta Left-Hand Turn Accidents
What makes left-hand turns so dangerous?
Time. The length of time it takes to make the left-hand turn, especially for cars starting the turn from a slow speed or stopped position, is about 7-8 seconds. This seems like a short burst of time until you consider that in 5 seconds, a car traveling 55 mph can travel the length of a football field—100 yards. If the turning driver misjudges the window of time before the driver coming straight at them arrives at the intersection, then a deadly T-bone accident is likely.
Distraction is another reason left turns are dangerous. A driver focused on “beating” a light may not see another car crossing with the right-of-way or a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
It’s not just the turning driver who could be at fault for the crash. Drivers turning right when the turn arrow turns green have the right-of-way, but a driver going straight may try to “beat” the yellow light or run a red light. In these scenarios, it’s usually the oncoming driver, not the turning driver, who is to blame for the wreck.
Compensation Available After A Crash
If you didn’t cause the crash, you can demand compensation from the driver who did. Under Georgia law, car crash victims (called plaintiffs in legal proceedings) may seek both economic damages (out-of-pocket losses like medical bills and lost wages from work) and non-economic damages.
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses related to a car crash, such as pain and suffering or emotional trauma. Many people develop anxiety, situational phobias, or PTSD after a bad crash. Your compensation can cover the cost of therapy to help you recover and the medical care and physical therapy you may need to recover physically. A skilled Atlanta car accident lawyer can help build a strong case on your behalf.
Skilled Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help
Have you or someone you love been injured in a left-hand car crash in Atlanta? We want to help you get the compensation you deserve. From the initial filing of your case through mediation or a trial, the Council & Associates, LLC, team is ready to fight for your rights and seek fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
