California Left-Turn Accident Lawyers
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Our California Left-Turn Accident Lawyers Will Get Compensation For Your Injuries
Getting into a traffic accident just because a driver recklessly turned left is not only inconvenient, but it can also lead to injuries that affect the way you live. Serious injuries can mean time away from work. Your bills then pile up as you try to heal, causing a vicious cycle of problems for you and your family. The California left-turn accident lawyers are dedicated to providing victims with the help they need to put their lives back together. Contact Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
To emphasize how dangerous left-hand turns are, Tom Vanderbilt, the author of the popular book Traffic, called left-turns “the bane of traffic engineers.” People have suggested diverging diamond interchanges, which would make it easier for cars to turn left on and off freeway ramps and cross over to the other side of the road.
Phil Caruso from the Institute of Transportation Engineers added that “left turns create some concerns when it comes to generating potential for congestion, back-up traffic flow, safety, [and] accident situations… So if you can eliminate left turns, especially concurrent left turns, that’s a positive.”
Our experienced left-turn accident attorneys in California understand this well and are here to help you if you get injured in such a crash. Led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., we have recovered over $750 Million in compensation for our clients. Take advantage of our decades of experience helping accident victims just like you take control of their lives. Start by calling us at (888) 488-1391 to know if you have a valid case.
Why You Need California Left-Turn Accident Lawyers
Victims without legal representation will most likely have a harder time dealing with insurance companies and securing a fair settlement after a complex accident. There are several reasons why left-turn accidents are more complicated than other types of accidents. For example, insurance adjusters consider who had the right-of-way, whether the light was red or green or if there ever was one, how fast the cars were going, and whether the drivers involved were driving recklessly at the time of the collision.
Regardless of the cause, you cannot expect insurance companies to be sympathetic just because you lost a loved one or suffered catastrophic injuries during a left-turn collision. They are not above employing tactics that would devalue or, worse, void your claim altogether. This alone is a vital reason to get legal representation.
Insurance companies use claims adjusters to reduce or outright deny your personal injury claim to maximize their net profits and protect their interests. By consulting with our personal injury attorneys, who are experts in left-turn accidents, you can level the playing field and have a higher chance of a successful case resolution.
With a lawyer by your side, you can persuade reluctant insurance providers to give you the maximum compensation for your accident and injuries. We will assist you in winning the uphill battle. We are familiar with the strategies they use, and as experts in California law, we’ll use our in-depth knowledge and experience to give you the best chance of recovering what you are owed.
How Will Our Left-Turn Accident Attorneys Help You Recover Compensation?
From the initial investigation to the resolution of your claim, our experienced left-turn accident lawyers in California will be there with you every step of the way.
It can be tempting to represent yourself after a car accident. However, accident victims without legal representation may find it difficult to recover financial compensation. Insurance companies and defense teams work hard to avoid making payments to legitimately injured victims.
Hiring our car accident attorneys levels the playing field. As proven by our track record of winning, we can help you in the following ways:
Thorough Case Evaluation
Some accident victims downplay their injuries after a crash, thinking they won’t get justice anyway. You should never downplay yours. You deserve to recover compensation after suffering losses because of an accident that was not your fault. Our left-turn accident lawyers in California know what questions to ask to help you identify your damages. Be completely honest about what you are going through after a left-turn accident. The more open you are, the more complete your financial recovery will be.
Comprehensive Accident Investigation
You will need evidence if you want to collect a monetary recovery after the crash. Left-turn accidents are not always as straightforward as you might think. Your legal team can work with expert investigators and accident reconstructionists to collect evidence that shows what events led up to the collision. Your attorney can use the evidence to persuade insurance companies to offer reasonable settlements to help you get your life back faster.
Aggressive Settlement Negotiation
Settlement negotiations can get intense quickly. Insurance companies often try to intimidate accident victims who are not legally represented. If you hire our California left-turn accident lawyers to represent you, you can be sure that companies that are only interested in making money will not take advantage of you.
Extensive Trial Preparation
Most civil traffic cases are resolved during the negotiation phase, but sometimes, taking your case to trial might be necessary if parties fail to agree on a settlement. The thought of presenting your case in a courtroom can be very intimidating. Fortunately, our left-turn accident attorneys in California can represent you in court and make sure your case comes to the best resolution possible.
Trial preparation is not always easy. However, your attorney will help you understand what it takes to prepare your case for the scrutiny of a judge or jury. You will work as a team to create a strategy that will persuade a judge or jury to side with you and get you the settlement you might be entitled to after a left-turn accident.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– Arash Khorsandi
Common Causes Of Left-Hand Turn Accidents
A driver’s error usually causes a left-turn accident. Our left-hand turn accident lawyers in California have successfully handled cases involving drivers who:
- Tried to beat oncoming traffic
- Did not look both ways when crossing
- Failed to signal when changing lanes
- Cut the corner
- Sped through turns
- Rolled past the stop line
Common Injuries From Left-Turn Car Accidents
Victims of left-turn accidents might face minor injuries to severe and life-altering injuries. Some common injuries accident victims may suffer from include the following:
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Scrapes and cuts
- Burns
Any of the above injuries could need serious medical attention. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you might need months or years of ongoing treatment. Our left-turn accident attorneys in California can help you get the compensation you will need to cover the cost of long-term medical care.
Which California Laws Apply To Left-Hand Turns?
It is important to know and understand the law that applies to your case after an accident. Certain laws apply to drivers turning left onto a highway and to those turning left onto a side road, an alleyway, or private property from a highway. Your left-turn accident lawyers in California will take these laws into account. All drivers should know these basic laws about making left-hand turns.
All drivers making left turns must yield to oncoming traffic. Drivers should not impede traffic flow and should only have enough space to finish their turns.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 22100, if a driver is making a right turn, they are required to turn as close to the right-hand curb or the road as possible. If a driver is making a left turn, they must start from the furthest left-hand lane available and turn into a lane that is legally available for them to enter.
California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) requires drivers who are turning left to yield to drivers who are approaching from the other direction. Left-hand turners must yield the right of way until it is reasonably safe to complete the turn. On the other hand, under (b), if the driver is in the middle of making the turn, then vehicles approaching from the other direction must yield to the left-hand driver until they finish executing the turn.
Also, under the same section, if the driver yielded and was given a signal that they intended to turn, they may make a U-turn as required by the code. Any drivers approaching the car attempting to make a U-turn should yield and allow them to make a proper turn.
Every driver should operate their vehicle in a way that avoids an immediate hazard. Making improper left-hand turns has hefty consequences. Due to putting other drivers at risk, making a bad turn can lead to a $238 fine for California drivers.
Who Is Legally Responsible For A Left-Hand Turn Accident?
Most often, since left-hand turners must yield to oncoming traffic, they will be held liable if a left-turn accident happens.
California law, along with most courts, has concluded that making a left turn is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can make since the left-turning vehicle enters the opposing traffic lane. Because of this, state law requires drivers who want to make a left turn to use their indicator light at least 100 feet before they approach the intersection and wait for adequate space if they don’t have the time to make the turn safely. Still, it is normally not enough for the driver to simply put their indicator light on.
In general, drivers should use extreme care before pulling out to make a left turn. An accident victim who can prove that the driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic might have a legitimate compensation claim. Speak to our left-turn accident attorneys in California about the details of your case to learn more about your potential entitlement to financial recovery.
When Are Other Drivers Liable For Causing Left-Turn Accidents?
There are a few circumstances when a motorist other than the left-turning driver is responsible for causing the crash after a left turn. Based on what our left-turn accident lawyers have observed, these drivers are usually negligent or distracted, and their reckless driving on the road can lead to serious accidents.
Examples of driver negligence can include any of the following:
- Running a red light or a stop sign
- Speeding and/or improperly entering an intersection
- Using earbuds to listen to a podcast
- Watching internet videos
- Using the GPS
- Changing the radio or other devices
- Playing cell phone games
- Reading
- Eating
- Grooming
- Checking emails
- Talking to passengers
- Talking or texting on a cell phone
If another driver stops too suddenly and causes the left-turn driver to stop unexpectedly, which leads to a crash, the driver might be responsible for causing the accident. Left-turn drivers who can prove that the negligence of another driver caused their accident might be able to recover their monetary losses.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A California Left Turn Accident?
Every civil case is governed by the statute of limitations, the deadline set by law that restricts the amount of time an accident victim has to file a lawsuit. Though often complicated, it is important to know the applicable statute of limitations, as there are generally no exceptions to missing the deadline. Our left-turn accident attorneys in California can clarify any doubts or concerns you might have about what deadline applies to your case.
In California, car accident victims have two years from the date the accident happened to file a lawsuit. Two major exceptions exist: the accident happened before the victim turned 18, or the victim did not immediately discover their injury. The latter is known as the delayed discovery rule.
- If the victim is injured while they are a minor, the statute of limitations does not begin until the day they turn 18. The victim has two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit.
- The discovery rule allows accident victims two years from the date they discover their injury to file a lawsuit. This rule is important because some injuries do not manifest right away. Insurance companies will argue that if the victim got medical attention after an accident, they would have discovered their injuries. That is why getting medical care immediately after a crash is crucial. It takes the power away from the insurance company to make this kind of argument.
Deadlines May Vary For Different Cases
Different cases have different deadlines for filing a lawsuit.
- Victims claiming property damage have three years from the date the damage occurred to file a lawsuit.
- If a plaintiff has a claim against a government agency, they have six months from the date the incident happened to file a claim with the agency. If the victim’s claim is denied, then they have the right to file a lawsuit. Since lawsuits against a government agency can be difficult to navigate, you must contact our attorneys to face them head-on.
How Much Is My Left-Turn Accident Case Worth?
It is reasonable to wonder how much money your case is worth. No one can guarantee that you will receive a specific amount of money after an accident, but some surrounding facts point to an estimate of the final value of your case. Here are some of the factors to consider if you want to get an idea of the overall value of your case.
Medical Treatment
The extent to which you need medical care for your injuries will impact your final case value. Typically, extensive medical treatment is more expensive. Your condition might also require you to receive ongoing treatment, like physical therapy. If the accident caused injuries that left you disabled, your case might be worth more. Our experienced California left-turn accident attorneys will help you get compensated for your present and future medical expenses.
Lost Wages And Earning Capacity
Some injuries are so severe that they leave you unable to work. When that happens, you need a settlement that covers your financial losses so you can continue paying your bills. An accident can cause you to have reduced earning capacity, too, which means that you are unable to return to the same type of work as you could before the crash. You deserve to recover compensation for these losses, and our left-turn accident attorneys in California can help.
Mental And Emotional Trauma
Left-turn car accidents can leave you with serious mental and emotional trauma. Accident victims are entitled to recover for these subjective and non-economic losses. Despite being entitled to financial recovery, proving mental health issues like PTSD can be hard, especially with no legal representation. Let our California left-turn accident attorneys connect you with mental health professionals providing top-notch services. By addressing your mental and emotional trauma, we can help you get the compensation you deserve for all of your damages that go beyond bodily injuries.
Left-Hand Turn Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, left-hand turn accidents are far too common across the United States, not just in California. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 22.2% of all car accidents at intersections, left turns were the critical event that made the crash inevitable. Because intersections are where two or more roads cross each other, and maneuvers like turning left, right, and over are done by drivers simultaneously, traffic collisions frequently happen there.
Another study from New York City transportation planners found that left-hand turns caused three times as many pedestrian fatalities as right-hand turns. Meanwhile, 36% of fatal accidents involving motorcycles are due to left-hand turns in front of the motorcycle rider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Left-Hand Turns Dangerous?
Left-hand turns are more dangerous than right turns for several reasons. For one, they require drivers to make much wider turns, possibly across multiple lanes of traffic, which typically disrupts traffic flow. Apart from the drivers and other motorists, pedestrians are also at greater risk of injury if they encounter drivers making a left-hand turn since they tend to speed up as they turn.
Additionally, left turns might involve visual obstructions. Drivers face traffic coming from different directions, so they must exercise extreme care when turning left. Ensuring that they follow state law regarding the use of indicator lights and extreme caution helps ensure that the driver does not put the occupants of their vehicle, other vehicles, or other drivers in danger.
All drivers must have sound decision-making skills to help avoid accidents. Drivers making left turns must think very quickly and make several simultaneous mental assessments and decisions, including:
- Making fast judgment calls about the speed of oncoming traffic
- Deciding whether they have enough time to complete the turn while the light is green or yellow
- Determining whether other drivers will obey traffic safety laws
Whether you’re a pedestrian or another motorist, you deserve to know your legal options for financial compensation if you’re injured in a traffic accident. Speak with our dedicated California left-turn accident lawyers near you as soon as you can.
How Can Left Turns Be Safer?
Defensive driving can make left turns on the roads safer. There are simple practices that every driver can use to ensure that the roads are safe. Some examples of good driving practices include:
- Look out for “no left turn” signs and check other traffic (left, straight, right, left again).
- Wait for the green arrow on a protected left; yield to oncoming traffic on an unprotected one.
- Always make the turn from the designated lane (same left lane) and never enter the right lane.
- Look both ways and make sure that the oncoming lanes of traffic are empty before attempting to make a left turn.
- Turn on the left turn signal before slowly entering traffic or the intersection; give yourself enough time to turn and slow down.
- Make a “squared turn,” not a 45-degree turn, and avoid trying to “cut the corner” of oncoming traffic.
- Apply minimal pressure to your car’s accelerator to maintain your turning speed, then accelerate once the turn is finished.
Drivers who fail to follow the right-of-way rules could get into an accident with oncoming traffic. They might not have enough time to brake, which can result in a particularly dangerous T-bone or head-on collision. Even when drivers have a left-turn traffic light, they should still practice extreme caution and care when operating their vehicles.
It’s impossible to prevent accidents completely, but you can significantly lower your risk through defensive driving and turning cautiously. Even so, if you were hurt in an accident because a driver did not make a safe left turn, our California accident lawyers can hold the negligent driver responsible.
How Much Do Accident Lawyers Charge In California?
Every case is different, and legal fees can vary based on several factors. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your situation and explain how fees work so you know what to expect.
Should I Get A Lawyer For A Minor Car Accident In California?
Yes. Remember that some injuries do not manifest right away. If you accept a settlement offer from the insurance company, chances are it won’t be enough to compensate you for the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your overall quality of life.
Sometimes, it really isn’t the type of accident that you need to consider if hiring a lawyer for a car accident is worthwhile, but rather your injuries. Aside from injuries, the insurance claims process, disputes over who’s to blame, and long-term pain can arise later. A minor fender bender might become a serious nightmare without a car accident attorney.
Call The Left Turn Accident Lawyers California Looks To For Expertise!
After an accident, knowing what to do to get the financial recovery that you deserve can be difficult. As a left-turn accident victim, you must also deal with the emotional fallout on top of your injuries. Recovering from an injury may take a long time. In the meantime, medical expenses continue to pile up. The best left-turn accident attorneys California has to offer can help you mitigate your losses by pursuing the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Whether a negligent left-turning motorist harmed you or another reckless driver caused an accident while you were turning left, consult the award-winning legal team at Arash Law. We want to help you pursue compensation by examining the facts of your case and giving you a fair assessment of its strength. Contact us via our online chat feature or give us a call at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
We’ve handled accident cases for several decades and we take great satisfaction in offering top-notch client care and fighting for the fullest possible compensation for all of your damages.
We serve accident victims in Sherman Oaks, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, Riverside, San Francisco, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Fresno County, and the rest of California. Get the best legal advocate on your side who will fight for you to win.
