Who Is at Fault in a Left-Turn Accident?
Left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers drivers make. Crashes involving vehicles turning left happen all the time, and the injuries sustained in these accidents can be catastrophic. Left-turn accidents can leave people with traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, back injuries, and many other different types of injuries. These accidents can result in property damage and even death. Determining fault in a left turn accident can be complicated. If you were involved in a left turn accident, you should contact a qualified car accident attorney.
Why Are Left Turns Dangerous?
Left turns are dangerous for various reasons, including the following;
- Misjudgment of speed: Drivers tend to underestimate the speed of oncoming vehicles when turning left. This can result in serious accidents. When making a left turn, a driver might think they have enough time to make a left turn, only to learn when it is too late that oncoming traffic is traveling faster than they thought.
- Obstructing other drivers: Left-turning cars often obstruct the view of other drivers, resulting in visibility issues and potential collisions.
- Limited visibility: Making a left turn requires that a driver has a clear view of oncoming traffic. However, obstacles such as larger vehicles, buildings, and parked vehicles can obstruct visibility.
Who Is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident in SC?
The left-turning driver is often assumed to be liable for the accident. This is because of the principle that motorists executing left turns are obligated to yield to oncoming traffic. Before a driver makes a left turn, they must ensure the road is free and clear of traffic or other road users. However, the left-turning driver is not always to blame. Sometimes, fault can be shared between the left-turning driver and the other driver. In other cases, liability may be assigned entirely to the other driver.
While rare, there are cases where the left-turning driver is not at fault for the accident. For example, if the oncoming driver ran a red light, they could be held at fault for the accident. A left-turning driver may also not be at fault if they make a legal left turn and collide with a speeding car. However, proving such scenarios can be tricky.
In South Carolina, if the left-turning driver and the other driver are both to blame for the accident, the concept of comparative negligence comes into play. Under the comparative negligence rule, when multiple drivers are to blame for an accident, liability should be allocated in proportion to each driver’s contribution to the accident. Under this rule, if the claimant in a personal injury claim has any responsibility for their accident, their compensation will be reduced according to their percentage of fault.
If you are involved in an accident in a left turn accident in South Carolina, you should contact a skilled car accident attorney. As you may have noted, determining fault after a left turn accident can be complex. An experienced attorney can help with fault determination and seeking compensation.
Contact a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a left-turn accident in South Carolina, contact our skilled Charleston car accident lawyer at the Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm. We can investigate your case and determine liability. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
