The average driver in Texas encounters many scenarios that can easily lead to car accidents if proper care and caution are not used. This includes making a left-hand turn. This is an inherently dangerous maneuver that must be done with prudence to prevent serious car accidents. Learn your legal rights after a left-turn accident in Texas to find out if you can hold someone accountable. Make sure to speak with an experienced car accident attorney in San Antonio for legal guidance.
Why Do Left-Turn Accidents Happen?
A left-turn accident describes a collision between two motor vehicles or a car and a cyclist or pedestrian while someone is attempting to turn left onto a road, parking lot or driveway. These accidents often take place at intersections in Texas.
Car accidents where one driver is making a left-hand turn are more likely to occur when any of the following factors are present:
- Failing to yield the right-of-way at an intersection
- Misjudging the speed or distance of an oncoming vehicle
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired
- Texting and driving or distracted driving
- Speeding, racing or driving recklessly
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Attempting to “beat” a red light
- Making an illegal left-hand turn
- Failing to notice an oncoming motorcyclist
- Vision impediments, such as a large vehicle obstructing the road
- Obstructed or missing signage
Common types of left-turn accidents include head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, cyclist and pedestrian accidents, and multivehicle pileups. These accidents can cause serious, catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Determining Liability for a Left-Turn Accident in Texas
For the most part, the driver making the left-hand turn will be deemed at-fault for a related automobile accident, since it is this driver’s responsibility to yield to oncoming traffic. Texas Transportation Code § 545.152 states:
VEHICLE TURNING LEFT. To turn left at an intersection or into an alley or private road or driveway, an operator shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and that is in the intersection or in such proximity to the intersection as to be an immediate hazard.
Under this law, the driver turning left must obey all posted traffic signs, pay attention to oncoming traffic, and only make the turn when it is safe and lawful to do so. A breach of this duty of care can place liability (financial responsibility) on the driver turning left for a resultant accident.
Comparative Negligence
In some left-turn accident cases, the oncoming driver is given a percentage of the fault. If the oncoming vehicle is speeding, for instance, the driver turning left may not be aware of how fast the vehicle is approaching. A portion of fault being allocated to the oncoming driver could reduce his or her financial compensation under Texas’s comparative negligence law.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Texas
A left-turn accident case in Texas can be challenging, especially if it involves severe injuries or a liability dispute. If you get involved in this type of crash, it can be beneficial to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in San Antonio for advice and guidance.
A lawyer can investigate your crash to collect evidence of fault against another driver, maximizing your financial recovery as much as possible. Meanwhile, you can focus on your well-being and recovery. Contact an attorney at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free left-turn accident case review to learn more.