Rochester, NY Left Turn Car Accident Attorneys
Injured in a Left Turn Accident in NY?
Left-turn car accidents are one of the most frequent types of car accidents in cities like Rochester. The mixture of traffic, city intersections, and pedestrians around areas like East Avenue or Monroe Avenue are prime territory for left-turn accidents to happen. Drivers often let their guard down when making left-hand turns, become inattentive, or are distracted just long enough to cause an accident.
The Rochester accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, know the nuances of the laws when it comes to holding negligent drivers responsible. We get victims who are injured the justice and compensation they deserve.
Why Left Turns Are More Dangerous Than Other Maneuvers
Left turns are inherently riskier than other driving maneuvers because it calls for the vehicle to pass directly in the path of oncoming traffic. A driver making a left turn must often cross multiple lanes of traffic, maintain a lookout for pedestrians and cyclists, and keep their eyes not only on the road ahead of them but also on the street or area they’re turning into. Left turn car accidents that result in a crash usually involve one or more of the following factors:
- Blind Spots and Obstructed Views: Drivers sometimes can’t see oncoming vehicles because of parked cars, larger vehicles in adjacent lanes, or the angle of the intersection.
- Judgment Errors: Drivers taking left turns miscalculate the speed or distance of an oncoming vehicle and cause a left turn collision, especially if the oncoming vehicle is a speeding driver.
- Increased Speed of Impact: Left-hand turn accidents usually happen when one or both vehicles are traveling at high speeds, leading to more severe injuries.
- Driver Distractions: Left-turn drivers often focus on traffic signals or pedestrians that can cause them to miss other drivers. Distracted drivers making left-hand turns are even more of a danger as they fail to take into account their surroundings.
At intersections like Lake Avenue and Ridge Road there is an even higher risk of a left-turn crash because of heavy traffic volume and multi-lane roads. Not all intersections in Rochester have traffic signals with dedicated left-turn signals, so driver discretion is involved in yielding to oncoming traffic.
Over 20% of all intersection accidents involve left turns. The risk of an intersection accident in cities like Rochester is even grated because of its traffic patterns, construction zones, and constantly changing layout. Pedestrians also add another risk component since drivers taking left turns can suddenly encounter another person attempting to cross a road at the last minute.
How Eyewitness Testimony Helps Your Rochester Accident Case
After a left-turn accident, showing the other driver was at fault can be a fairly complicated process. Eyewitness testimony can be a major benefit in supporting your version of how the crash happened. Make sure to get a copy of the police report to see if the responding officers took down contact information for anyone that saw the accident.
Eyewitness testimony provides a few main benefits that can carry a lot of weight in the event you later pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
- Independent Perspectives: An unbiased third-party account of what happened can clarify exactly how the crash happened, especially if it’s your word against the other driver.
- Important Details: Witnesses can describe the details of the accident scene like the color of traffic lights, the speed of the vehicles involved, and road conditions that might not be recorded in detail on the police report.
- Credibility to Support Claims: Courts and insurance companies often give significant weight to testimony from witnesses. One of the first tricks insurance companies like to do after a crash is collect witness statements to try and show you were at fault.
If a witness to a left turn crash in downtown Rochester at an intersection like East Main Street or Goodman Street testified the other driver was speeding and ran a red light when they hit you, this can significantly shift liability onto the other driver. Try and collect witness information right after the crash so you can obtain statements while the accident is fresh in their mind.
In cities like Rochester there are also many businesses and homes with outdoor cameras that may have recorded the crash itself. Speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer right after the accident is a great step to take as they’ll know exactly how to preserve that evidence for your case.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering After a Left-Turn Accident
Victims of left-turn accidents can be entitled to compensation not only for their medical bills and property damage but also for the pain and suffering caused by their injuries. These non-economic damages reflect the physical and emotional impact of the car accident and can be a significant portion of your overall claim. Pursuing a claim for pain and suffering involves a number of variables, but some of the most important are:
- Severity of Injuries: Serious injuries like fractures, brain injuries, or damage to your spine like disc herniations and protrusions generally result in higher compensation.
- Impact on Daily Life: Courts consider how the injuries affect your ability to work, engage in hobbies, or perform routine activities.
- Duration of Recovery: Long-term or permanent impairments often result in larger settlements or awards.
In a New York car accident case, plaintiffs can pursue damages for non-economic harm, including emotional distress and reduced quality of life. Spouses or family members can also pursue a loss of consortium claim if the accident has impacted their relationship with the victim. Pain and suffering calculations can involve a number of different elements, so speaking with a car accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, is the only way to truly know you’re accounting for all your recoverable losses.
Deciding Fault in a Rochester Left-Turn Accident
Determining fault in a left-turn accident is often heavily disputed since the left turn driver will say they had enough time to make their turn while the oncoming driver will say they didn’t. New York law generally holds the left-turning driver at fault for failing to yield, but there are some exceptions to that general rule.
- Traffic Signal Compliance: If the left-turning driver ignored a red light or failed to yield, they are likely at fault.
- Oncoming Driver's Speed: Excessive speed or reckless driving by the oncoming vehicle can shift or share fault.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Presence: Failing to yield to pedestrians or cyclists crossing legally can impact liability of who was at fault.
- Weather and Road Conditions: Poor visibility or slippery roads can contribute to the accident, making fault shared by both drivers for overdriving the conditions.
New York's comparative negligence laws allow injured parties to recover damages even if they are partially at fault, although their award will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Steps to Take After a Rochester Left-Turn Car Accident
Taking action right away after a left-turn accident can help lay a solid foundation for a personal injury case and protect your rights to recovery. Some of the first things you want to do after being involved in a left-hand turn accident in Rochester:
- Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries. Call 911 for emergency assistance.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of as many things at the scene you can, such as vehicles, the layout of the intersection, and any relevant traffic signs or signals. Include skid marks, debris, and other evidence.
- Contact Law Enforcement: File an accident report with the Rochester Police Department for documentation purposes.
- Consult an Attorney: Reach out to a car accident lawyer at Horn Wright, LLP, to discuss your legal options and begin building your case from the first day.
Remember, time is critical in personal injury cases. Acting swiftly can preserve evidence, secure witness statements, and meet New York's statute of limitations.
Contact Horn Wright, LLP, to Protect Your Rights Now
At Horn Wright, LLP, our attorneys understand the difficulties that left-turn accident cases present, and the challenges victims face in recovering compensation. We know the unique dynamics involved in Rochester traffic and the local laws, so we’re ready to fight for you to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. We dedicate our practice to recovering just compensation for injured accident victims.
Call today for your free consultation to begin working on your case.
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