Atlanta Left-Turn Accidents Lawyer
Left-turn accidents are often referred to as T-bone accidents or side-impact accidents. However, a left-turn accident can also result in a front-end or head-on crash. Regardless of the point of impact, a left-turn car accident can cause severe injuries to the occupants of both vehicles.
If you have been injured in a left-turn accident, contact Hasner Law PC to speak with our Atlanta car accident attorneys in our law office at no charge.
Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Left-Turn Accident in Atlanta, GA?
Most people assume that the person turning left in front of another driver is at fault for the accident. However, this assumption is not always correct. The person turning left could have had the right of way, thereby making the person driving straight at fault for the crash.
Our Atlanta accident lawyers thoroughly investigate the left-turn accident to determine what happened. Identifying who had the right of way at the time of the left-turn accident is essential. You can only recover compensation for your accident injuries if the other driver was responsible for causing the crash.
Our lawyers take several steps to gather evidence proving fault and liability including:
- Requesting copies of accident reports and police reports.
- Obtaining statements from eyewitnesses.
- Collecting physical evidence from the vehicles and the accident scene.
- Searching for videos of the left-turn accident from traffic cameras, surveillance cameras, or eyewitnesses.
- Requesting evidence related to the timing of intersection traffic signals.
Investigating a traffic accident can be time-consuming and expensive. Our law firm has the resources and time, in addition to the skills and experience, necessary to handle a complex accident investigation.
In addition to investigating your traffic accident, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers also provide legal advice, gather evidence related to damages, provide support, and protect you from unfair insurance tactics. Our goals are to protect your best interests while recovering maximum compensation for your accident injuries and damages.
Causes of Left-Turn Accidents in Atlanta
Many left-turn crashes occur at intersections. A driver who does not have the right-of-way turns in front of another driver, or a driver ran a red light colliding with a driver who has the turning arrow. In some cases, both drivers may share responsibility as they both try to “beat the light.”
However, left-turn accidents also occur in other situations. A driver may be turning left into a parking lot or driveway at the time of the crash. A driver may be bearing left at a yield sign when the accident occurs.
Some factors that can increase the risk of a left-turn accident include:
- Distracted Driving
- Exceeding Speed Limits
- Drunk Driving or Drugged Driving
- Driving While Tired or Drowsy
- Inexperienced Drivers
- Weather Conditions
- Failure to Yield
- Unsafe U-turns
- Improper lane change
- Failing to Use Turn Signals
- Misjudging Distance of Vehicles
- Aggressive Driving
Identifying each of the factors that contributed to the cause of the accident can help prove which driver was responsible for causing the crash.
Common Left-Turn Accident Injuries
Victims of left-turn accidents can sustain a variety of accident injuries. Common injuries in a left-turn accident include, but are not limited to:
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Airbag Injuries
- Scarring and Disfigurement
- Internal Organ Failure
- Wrongful Death
Left-turn accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. When a vehicle is hit from the rear or the front, the occupants have more space and metal between them and the site of the impact.
However, many left-turn crashes result in side impacts. In a side-impact crash, there is just a narrow door between the vehicle occupant and the front of the other vehicle. Side airbags can help, but they do not prevent all injuries.
Left-turn accidents can also result in front angle accidents. These types of accidents can also be very dangerous for the driver and front passenger.
What Damages are Available for Left-Turn Accidents in Atlanta?
The damages available in your personal injury case depend on the facts and circumstances of your claim. Each accident case is different. Therefore, each injury claim is unique.
In most cases, a personal injury claim begins by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Our lawyers prepare a detailed, comprehensive settlement demand package for the insurance company.
A demand settlement package outlines our position regarding the liability for the accident. We include details that support your claims, such as evidence of fault, statutes, and case law. We also include a detailed explanation of your damages, including evidence of the damages.
Common damages in a left-turn accident claim include, but are not limited to:
- Hospitalizations and Surgeries
- Physicians’ Bills and Other Health Care Provider Costs
- Therapy Bills
- Medications, Medical Supplies, and Medical Equipment
- Loss of Income and Benefits
- Loss of Future Earning Potential
- In-Home Health Care and Personal Care
- Physical Pain and Suffering
- Emotional and Mental Anguish and Distress
- Loss of Enjoyment or Quality of Life
- Permanent Impairments, Scarring, Disabilities, and Disfigurement
The value of your personal injury claim depends on numerous factors. The severity of your injury and type of injury are significant factors. The financial losses and expenses are other factors.
Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys use our significant experience handling car accident claims to calculate the maximum value for your injury claim. We use the facts in your case to support the figure we demand for settlement to increase the chance of success.
How Can Comparative Fault Impact Your Accident Compensation in Georgia?
If another driver is entirely responsible for the cause of the crash, you should be entitled to full compensation for all damages. However, if you share responsibility for the cause of an accident, the amount of money you receive for your claim can be reduced by Georgia’s comparative fault laws.
Under the comparative fault laws for the State of Georgia, the amount of money for your claim is reduced by the percentage of fault you have for the cause of the crash. For example, if a jury finds that you contributed to the cause of a left-turn accident by 40 percent, your compensation decreases by 40 percent.
However, if your fault for the accident is 50 percent or more, you cannot recover any money for your personal injury claim.
If the driver’s insurance company tries to blame you for causing a left-turn accident, contact our attorneys immediately. Your legal right to just compensation may be in jeopardy.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Left-Turn Accident Claims in Atlanta?
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for most accident claims is two years from the date of the accident. However, that deadline could change. If you miss the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit, you lose your legal right to pursue a claim through the court system.
It is usually in your best interest to talk to our lawyers as soon as possible after a car accident to avoid missing the deadline to file a claim. Accidents involving government vehicles or employees could have a much shorter deadline. In many cases, you have just six months to file a notice of claim with the government entity to protect your right to file a personal injury lawsuit in the future.
Can You Avoid a Left-Turn Accident in Atlanta?
Many left-turn accidents occur at intersections. There are several deadly intersections throughout Georgia.
You cannot control what another driver may do at an intersection or at any other left-turn location. However, there are some tips to keep in mind that could reduce the risk of being involved in a left turn accident:
- Always use your turn signals or “blinker” when making a turn.
- When turning at an intersection, make sure that you have the right of way (green light).
- Even when you do have the right of way, watch for oncoming traffic. Be prepared to stop if another vehicle appears to be ready to “run the light.”
- Avoid distractions when driving, especially in heavily congested areas.
- Make sure that your view is not obstructed as you prepare to make a left-hand turn.
- Use good judgment when assessing the distance and speed of other vehicles. Trying to “beat” a car can result in a deadly crash.
- Use extra caution when turning left on or near a hill or incline.
- Obey all traffic laws.
Using good driving behaviors can decrease your chance of being involved in a traffic accident. However, if another driver hits your car, take action to protect your legal rights. Call 911 to report the accident and seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
Document your damages by keeping detailed notes and copies of all documents. Never admit fault or talk to an insurance adjuster before consulting with one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers.
We Handle All Types of Auto Accidents in Fulton County
At Hasner Law PC, our legal team handles all types of car crashes in Atlanta, including:
- Highway collisions
- Hit & run crashes
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Single-vehicle wrecks
- Rear-end collisions
- And more
Contact a Car Crash Lawyer in Atlanta for a Free Review
If you are injured in a car accident, we are ready to help. You can talk to a car accident attorney in Atlanta at no charge. Get the facts about your legal rights and options for recovering compensation from a trusted advocate for accident victims.
Call now to schedule a free consultation today with one of our lawyers at Hasner Law PC.
