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posted in Car Accidents on September 22, 2021
Left turns can be incredibly dangerous for motorists, passengers, and others on the roads. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, these left turns are the most dangerous maneuver that drivers can perform. However, what makes this situation even worse is many drivers are not aware of why these left turns are so deadly, and consequently, they put their lives at risk by not taking action to reduce their chance of suffering harm in a left-hand turn. That is why in this blog post, we will dive into this topic of left-hand turns and discuss the reasons why they are so hazardous.
If you are behind another vehicle as you are making a left-hand turn, you may avert your eyes to cross-check traffic because you expect the driver in front of you to complete the turn once they start going. However, if you are not paying attention and the car in front of you suddenly stops as they are turning, you may end up rear-ending them.
A blind turn or a blind corner is a corner on the street where the view of what is behind the corner is obstructed. This obstruction is often because of hills, trees, or other buildings.
As a result, if individuals make this turn and are not paying attention, it can result in a deadly accident. This is because left-hand turns require you to pay extra attention to what is happening around you, specifically from the left and right sides. However, if you are making a blind turn, it is extremely difficult to accomplish this check since you will most likely be looking around for unexpected traffic.
When it comes to left turns, timing is everything, especially when motorists make this turn without a green turn arrow. Even though experience can help these drivers in these critical situations, misjudging another car’s speed still happens, leading to dangerous collisions.
That is why, when you are making any left turn, you need to exercise caution before proceeding, primarily when you notice other vehicles approaching. Otherwise, you risk being struck by a fast-moving automobile and enduring a catastrophic T-bone accident.
More than 50% of fatal and injury crashes occur at an intersection, making these locations some of the most deadly places to drive. However, if drivers are unfamiliar with these areas, these intersections can become even more challenging to maneuver.
It is important to note that each intersection is created differently, with many factors impacting the dangers of these locations. For example, not all intersections cross as exact square angles, while other intersections are wider, creating extra feet of travel distance. Although these differences may not seem like a big deal, they can be the difference between a proper turn and a deadly accident. Consequently, when individuals are not familiar with these minor intersection details, it can result in devastating crashes.
If there are other motorists at an intersection turning left, it can make it difficult to see around them. As a result, many drivers may believe the coast is clear and start speeding up to beat the light, only to discover too late that there is an oncoming car heading their way.
Traffic lights are designed to set the pace of the signal cycle and ensure that drivers get around the streets safely. Unfortunately, when traffic is bad, people can become impatient, and when they see the light turn yellow, they decide to speed through it in order to avoid waiting through another traffic signal cycle. However, these actions are hazardous and can often lead to debilitating accidents that can affect everyone involved.
For these reasons, when you are at a light, making a left turn, it is always in your best interest to exercise patience and know that saving an extra minute is not worth the potentially deadly risks that can result when you decide to try to beat the light.
What it boils down to is left turns are dangerous to everyone on the roads, many times because they require the motorist to divert their attention to multiple hazards, including traffic lights, blind spots, and other people. As a result, these turns can lead to catastrophic accidents that will forever change a person’s life.
However, if you have been involved in a left turn accident because of another person’s wrongful, intentional, or negligent actions, you should not deal with these devastating consequences on your own. Rather, you need legal help on your side, going after the justice and compensation you deserve. Fortunately, with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer, you can get exactly this.
When you retain a car accident attorney, these lawyers can:
That is why if you or a loved one has been injured in a left turn car crash, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Instead, reach out to a skilled car accident lawyer today for a free case consultation and let these attorneys show you how they can fight for you, your rights, and the financial recovery you are entitled to.
