How to Win a Left Turn Accident Case in Maryland

Key Takeaways:

• Left-turn accidents most often occur when a vehicle turning left collides with a vehicle traveling in oncoming traffic in a different direction.
• Insurance companies often presume the vehicle turning left to be at fault, but there are instances in which the other vehicle would be liable, like when the left turn lane has a green light.
• Given the speed of oncoming vehicles, personal injuries from left-turn accidents can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
• Common causes of left-turn accidents include the left-turning driver misjudging the speed limit of oncoming drivers, obstructed views, and distracted driving.

Car accidents can happen at any point when you are behind the wheel, but you probably do not expect them much when simply driving straight. Even so, there are instances in which cars can hit you, especially when you are driving straight through an intersection.

When a vehicle turns into you, you may find yourself suffering from severe injuries that can take a lot of time and money to recover from. If someone runs into you, you shouldn’t be left covering the cost alone. Get in touch with the experienced car accident attorneys at Bowers Law to assist with your claim and discover tips on how to win a left-turn accident.

What is a Left-Turn Accident?

A left-turn accident occurs after a vehicle turns left, most often at an intersection. Most Maryland left-turn accidents happen when a car turning left hits another vehicle in an intersection traveling straight at a different angle. Frequently, it is caused by a driver turning left who misjudges the distance and speeds up to shoot the gap.

Maryland has specific traffic laws regarding left-turn accidents in accordance with §21–402. Put simply, any vehicle turning left has to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

What Causes Left-Turn Accidents?

Left-turn accidents occur for a wide range of different reasons. Some of the most common include the following.

• False assumptions: Making assumptions about what another vehicle will do can lead to dangerous accidents, so consider the potential and play it safe.
• Illegal maneuvering: This cause occurs when a vehicle performs an illegal maneuver on the road, such as ignoring traffic signals, making a prohibited U-turn, or other similar actions.
• Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a common cause of left-turn accidents. Texting while driving is a frequent cause for drivers being distracted, but other actions like talking on the phone or simply talking to a passenger can qualify as well.
• Misjudged speed: Many left turns require drivers to cross several lanes of traffic. Even if they correctly judge the speed of one lane of traffic, they may misjudge the speed of the other lane. Whatever the case, they can easily mistake how much time and room they have to turn, which leads to an accident.
• Obstructed views: Turning left is difficult enough, but obstructed views can complicate left turns further. The vehicle’s frame between the windshield and the driver’s side window can create a blind spot. This blind spot is worse in some vehicles than in others, but it can lead to drivers completely missing obstacles and getting in an accident.

Who is at Fault After a Left-Turn Accident in Maryland?

In Maryland, the driver turning left is usually at fault in a left-turn accident. In some instances, however, the driver turning left has the right-of-way. This occurs when the driver turning left is doing so with a green left-turn traffic signal.

If you are the driver making the left turn, you may not be considered liable under certain conditions outside of a green turn light. If the road’s design or construction makes maintaining a reasonable degree of care while turning difficult or impossible, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against those who constructed the roadway. Additionally, you may not be liable if the vehicle you collided with was speeding. Given the complexity of these scenarios, you should seek help from an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer.

We handled a case once in which we proved that the driver turning left was not at fault. Our client had a green arrow giving him the right-of-way, but a driver from the other direction drove through the red light and hit our client’s car. Normally this would be very difficult to prove, but our client had a dashcam that clearly showed his green arrow and the other driver’s negligence. As a result, our client won his case.

It’s important to remember that Maryland operates under a contributory negligence standard. That means that the amount of compensation you may receive after an accident depends on whether or not you were at fault in any capacity. If you are considered to be partially at fault for the accident, no matter how small that part is, you will not be able to receive any compensation from the other driver.

What Evidence is Needed to Prove Fault in a Left-Turn Collision?

Useful evidence in a left-turn collision case is similar to any other accident case. Photos of the accident scene can be helpful, including pictures of the vehicles, road, property damage, and any injuries sustained. You will need a detailed medical record to demonstrate the severity of your injuries, so make sure you go to the doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Don’t forget to call the police so you will have a documented police report.

Every left-turn collision case will be unique, so consult with an experienced car accident attorney to see what kind of evidence would be especially relevant in your case. Perhaps your accident was caught on a security camera, or there are reliable witness statements that could help. An injury attorney can help guide you through the next steps in the aftermath of an auto accident and even gather evidence on your behalf.

What are Common Injuries From Left-Hand Turn Accidents?

Left-turn accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, including severe injuries considering how frequently left-hand turn accidents involve collisions at high speed. The following are among the most common injuries.

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• PTSD
• Mental anguish
• Wrongful death

Why Clients Choose Bowers Law

At Bowers Law, we have many years of combined experience handling car accident cases in Cecil County, Maryland. Our team takes a compassionate, honest approach to each case to help you navigate the difficult aftermath of an accident and work towards the compensation you need. We offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t owe us a penny unless we win your car accident claim. Take a look at what some of our previous clients had to say about our services.

Testimonials

“Plain and simple is the overview here with Bowers Law. Plain and simple…Mr. Bowers himself has represented me more than once on different occasions and the promptness, professionalism, and pride he took in defending me and pursuing the agenda is unmatched by my experience with other law firms. The transparency and communication you’ll receive adds comfort and confidence to the process. […] He did for me what the “BIG SHOTS” said was impossible because he was calm, cool, collected, and dialed in on a successful judgment and client satisfaction. Plain and simple…no matter the issue, BIG or small, Bowers Law is my first call.” –E.

“I was recently involved in a car accident and a friend insisted I contact Bowers Law. The entire team helped me navigate what would have been a very complicated and overwhelming situation. They made the entire process easy and educated me on what was happening along the way. I’m so glad I contacted them. Jobeth Bowers is the person you want on your side if you are involved in an accident!” –Dimi M.

In a Car Accident? Turn to Bowers Law

If you have suffered a left-turn car accident, Bowers Law can help. Our legal team of personal injury lawyers offers free consultations to help you evaluate your case and determine whether you may be owed compensation for damages suffered. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us unless we win your case. Get in touch with our team today at (410) 885-6200 or by filling out our online contact form to schedule an initial free consultation.