Drivers throughout Alabama make left-hand turns every day, but they may not realize how tricky this maneuver can be. Even seasoned motorists who held their driver’s license for decades can misjudge the speed of another vehicle, ultimately turning into the path of an oncoming car or truck. Courts know that left turns require consideration and forethought on part of the driver. This is one reason that after a left-hand turn accident, the left-turning motorist is usually deemed at-fault. In fact, the police report may explicitly say that the driver who made the left-hand turn was negligent. Yet, this can occasionally be untrue.
While many left-hand turning incidents can be traced back to impatient drivers, some are the fault of another driver. Below are some of the defenses left-hand turning motorists and their car wreck lawyers have successfully made in court to prove they were not fully responsible for crashes or ensuing damages.
Other Motorists Running Red Lights
At an intersection, a driver turning left during green arrow has every right to assume that a car coming from the opposite direction will stop. Those motorists should see that the traffic light is red and at least slow down before getting to the intersection. In some cases, drivers may be distracted and not properly stop for a red light. This puts them in a situation where they could T-bone the left-hand turning vehicle.
Faulty Stoplight Signals
One interesting defense that can occasionally apply in left-hand turning incidents is that the stoplight was malfunctioning. Essentially, the defense would be that the left-hand turning driver got the green light to make the turn. At the same time, drivers coming from the opposite direction also had a green light, unbeknownst to the turning motorist. In a situation like this, a legal expert would need to petition records and data to prove the traffic light stopped working correctly and therefore led to the collision.
Speeding Drivers
Another defense made in left-hand car accident cases to prove liability is that another driver was exceeding the posted speed limit. Therefore, the left-hand turning motorist could not have accurately predicted the timing of the left-hand turn. Providing that another motorist was speeding takes documentation and may require the help of an expert who deals with the physics involved in car collisions. In these types of cases, the left-hand turning driver may be proven partially responsible for the crash but may not bear the full brunt of damages.
Huntsville Car Wreck Lawyers at Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. Help Victims Injured in All Types of Car Accidents
If you were involved in a car accident while making a left-hand turn, contact a Huntsville car wreck lawyer at Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. today. Many factors are involved in this type of accident and we can help you obtain the justice you deserve. Call us at 256-539-3110 or fill out an online contact form for a free consultation. Located in Huntsville and Athens, Alabama, we serve clients throughout Madison County, Morgan County, Lauderdale County, North Alabama, Jackson County, Marshall County, and Limestone County.
