Driving in Atlanta is no picnic; between the gridlock traffic, busy interstates, and confusing one-way streets, there’s a lot to navigate. Though people often think of backed-up highways when they think about driving in Atlanta, there are many side streets and back roads that also see heavy traffic.
Traffic accidents in Atlanta commonly happen on one of the four main interstates that run through the city. However, accidents can happen anywhere, including the somewhat calmer streets that run through downtown and the city suburbs.
Though not a common cause of accidents on the interstate, left-turn accidents happen regularly in other places in the city. Improper left-hand turning can lead to a range of accidents, including T-bone crashes, which are usually very serious.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a left turn accident in Atlanta, reach out to an experienced left turn accident lawyer to help you navigate through this difficult time. An experienced attorney can help you throughout the whole experience — from finding you the medical care you need to fight for you to ensure that you have an opportunity to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Call us at (404) 777-8800 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you!
Working With an Atlanta Left Turn Accident Attorney
Of all the maneuvering a driver may be required to do to navigate through Atlanta, one of the most dangerous is making a left-hand turn. Though these types of turns are generally legal, they are much riskier than many other driving actions, as these turns require drivers to turn out in front of oncoming traffic and require the driver to exercise judgment about the speed and distance of other cars.
Even the most seasoned drivers can have a difficult time judging how far away a car is or how fast it is traveling down the road. As such, many accidents involving left-hand turns are caused by the driver making the turn.
However, these cases can be complicated, and assigning responsibility for the accident often depends on the details of the particular accident.
If you have been involved in a left turn accident and are unsure about any of the details – who was at fault, whether or not you need medical attention, or who will pay for the property damage to your vehicle, reach out to an experienced Atlanta left turn accident attorney. The lawyers at CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are here for you and want to answer any questions you may have about your accident.
Georgia Laws on Left-Hand Turns
Making left-hand turns is something that many drivers are required to do on a daily basis. When making left turns, drivers are expected to follow Georgia’s traffic laws.
The Georgia Department of Driver’s Services (DDS) Drivers Manual lays out these rules for making a left-hand turn:
- Drivers should use appropriate signals as well as give other drivers on the road enough time to see that they plan on making a turn.
- Drivers should use a designated turn lane if one exists. If not, drivers should be turning from the far left lane of the road they are traveling on.
- Drivers should keep the wheels of their vehicle straight until they start turning.
- Drivers are expected to yield to all oncoming traffic as well as any pedestrians who may be crossing the road.
- Drivers should turn into the lane closest to the center lane in the direction that traffic is traveling.
- Once drivers have entered a left-turn lane at an intersection, they are not permitted to change lanes, even if the driver made a mistake in entering that lane.
Any drivers on the road are expected to follow all of these and other Georgia traffic laws. Failure to do so can have dire consequences.
Determining Fault in a Left Turn Accident
If, at the time of the car accident, the driver making a left-hand turn was not following Georgia traffic laws, then they will be found to be liable for the accident. Failure to follow these laws shows negligence on the driver’s part, even if the driver was unaware of the traffic laws.
Reasons why left turn accidents may occur include:
- The driver misjudges or miscalculates the speed of a car in the oncoming lanes of traffic and is unable to complete the turn before a collision occurs.
- Failure to yield to a car going straight in an intersection while trying to complete a turn
- The driver fails to see an oncoming car, bicycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle.
- Failing to see a pedestrian crossing the road.
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to use appropriate turn signaling
- Turning into incorrect lanes
Though not always, the driver making the left turn is usually at fault for an accident that occurred while making that turn. There are some scenarios that may be an exception, which is why you should contact a law firm with years of experience in working with Georgia traffic laws.
Common Injuries in Left Turn Accidents
Unfortunately, accidents involving left turns tend to be very serious and can cause serious harm to those who are involved. These injuries can be straightforward or complicated, easy to diagnose, or hard to catch.
If you have been in a car accident, it is imperative that you see a medical professional as quickly as possible, as they can help check for injuries that may often not show up for days or even weeks.
Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries and/or Paralysis
- Back Injuries
- Burns
- Internal Injuries
- Broken Bones/Fractures
- Facial Injuries and/or Disfiguring Scars
- Limb Loss and/or Amputation
- Neck Injuries or Whiplash
- Knee Injuries
Unfortunately, even some serious injuries may not be apparent immediately after an accident. If you or a loved one has been in a left-turn accident, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is one of the more effective things that you can do for yourself.
Not only will the doctor be able to look you over and ensure that you are safe, but they may be able to catch some injuries that you wouldn’t be able to see yourself, thus helping ensure your health and wellness.
Additionally, if you have been injured in an accident, you will need to have medical records that link the accident to your injuries, and the most effective way to do that is to seek treatment as soon after the accident as possible. Your doctor will be able to document your injuries and show proof that they happened as a result of the accident.
Otherwise, the insurance companies may try to claim that the injuries were pre-existing or happened due to some event other than the left turn accident.
Damages You Can Recover in a Left Turn Accident
If, as a result of being involved in a left turn accident that was not your fault, you have incurred extra expenses that you did not have before the accident, you may be entitled to recover damages from your accident. After all, you should not be stuck with the responsibility of paying for bills that only exist because of someone else’s negligence.
When working to determine what damages you may be able to recover from an accident, your attorney will look at a range of factors. Some damages, called economic damages, are easy to add up and put a price tag on.
Many people may be able to do that on their own. However, the more difficult category, known as non-economic damages, is more difficult to quantify.
Non-economic damages do not have a specific price tag, and the only way to know their value is to work with experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys who have years of precedence to work from.
Some common economic damages include:
- Past and future medical bills (including hospital stays, doctor’s visits, etc.)
- Pharmacy Bills
- Travel expenses to see specialists
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
Some common non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Depression
- Disfiguration
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Atlanta Left Turn Accident Law Firm
If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious left-turn accident, we know you are enduring a lot right now. However, the good news is that you do not have to face this difficult time alone.
Instead of trying to navigate this process by yourself, reach out to a trusted, experienced left-turn accident law firm today.
At The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our attorneys are ready to support you, and our history of strong results means you can feel confident you’re in capable hands.
When you initially reach out, we will work to coordinate a time for your free, no-obligation initial consultation. After that, our team will work diligently to develop a legal strategy designed to increase your opportunity of receiving the compensation you deserve to fully recover from your injuries.
We will be with you every step of the way during this process. When you are ready, reach out to us to start the process of getting your life back together after your accident.
Call us today at (404) 777-8800 or contact us online. We are eagerly awaiting to hear from you to schedule your free case review.
