Left Turn Accidents

Many drivers fail to take proper precautions when making left turns, placing other people at risk of harm. Unsafe left turns are one of the most common causes of accidents, and left turn accidents can lead to serious consequences, especially when they involve motorcyclists. If you were harmed in a left turn accident while operating a motorcycle, you may be able to recover damages from the driver who caused the accident. Joseph I. Lipsky is a seasoned Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer who will aggressively pursue any compensation that you may be owed for your harm. Mr. Lipsky frequently represents people in cases arising out of motorcycle accidents in South Florida.

When a driver makes a left turn, he or she is required to yield the right of way to any traffic approaching from the opposite direction. A driver is also required to yield to any vehicles passing in the lane to his or her left before making a left turn. Lastly, drivers are required to use turn signals for a minimum of 100 feet before making a turn.

When a driver fails to ensure that a left turn can be safely made, it often results in an accident. Specifically, if a driver making a left turn does so without adequate clearance, he or she may collide with oncoming traffic. In many cases, a driver will not notice a motorcyclist traveling from the opposite direction or will miscalculate how fast the motorcycle is traveling and will turn in front of a motorcyclist without enough time to make the turn safely. Motorcyclists involved in left turn accidents can be thrown from the motorcycle, and they may suffer significant injuries, including brain injuries, fractures, and lacerations.

If you were injured in a left turn motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the other driver involved in the accident if you can prove that he or she is liable. Generally, an injured person aiming to prove liability in a lawsuit seeking damages caused by a motorcycle accident will assert a negligence claim. In Florida, to prove negligence, the injured person must first establish that he or she was owed a duty of reasonable care to prevent harm. Then, the injured victim must show that the duty was breached and that the breach proximately caused the accident and the victim’s harm. To prove proximate cause, the breach does not need to have been the sole cause of the accident, but the injured person and their attorney must show that the accident would not have happened without the breach, and the breach must have been a substantial factor in causing the accident.

If the injured person’s claim is successful, he or she may be awarded compensation for the cost of treating any injuries sustained in the accident and any related expenses. If the victim could not work due to his or her injuries, he or she may be awarded damages for lost earnings as well. Lastly, the injured person may be able to recover compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the accident, which typically represents a substantial portion of the overall damages amount.

All drivers are required to ensure that the path is clear prior to making a left turn, and when they fail to do so, it can have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one were injured in a left turn motorcycle accident, you should consult a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss whether you may be able to pursue a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Joseph I. Lipsky is a knowledgeable attorney who can zealously advocate on your behalf. Mr. Lipsky represents people injured in motorcycle accidents in Orange, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties, including in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West, and West Palm Beach. You can contact us through our online form or at 1-888-352-5298 to schedule a free appointment.