Many of the situations that lead to significant car crashes involve overtly illegal behavior. People who cause drunk driving collisions have broken the law. The same is true of those who cause crashes due to speeding or running red lights when they should stop.
Intersection collisions represent a significant portion of the major crashes that occur every year. When looking at intersection collisions specifically, one traffic maneuver is responsible for a majority of all intersection collisions. Unlike many other crash causes, the leading cause of intersection collisions does not necessarily involve illegal actions.
Turning left leaves a vehicle exposed
Drivers who come to a stop at a red light or stop sign may have the option of completing a right turn if there is no approaching traffic. However, left turns usually require the right of way and possibly a lengthy wait for a break in traffic.
According to crash statistics, roughly 61% of collisions at intersections occur while a vehicle attempts to turn left. Left turns are slower because drivers must cross the entire intersection. They expose a vehicle to every approaching lane of traffic.
While turning left is legal and sometimes necessary, it can be very dangerous. Drivers may need to yield the right of way and double-check oncoming traffic to protect themselves from a left-turn collision. Frequently, other motorists are at fault. They may fail to stop at an intersection or monitor their surroundings before a crash occurs.
Those involved in intersection collisions may need help establishing fault and reviewing their options for compensation, and that’s okay. Insurance coverage or a lawsuit can potentially help to defray the costs generated by a left-hand turn car wreck.
