There are few things you can do while driving that are as dangerous as making a left turn. Some even claim it is the most hazardous maneuver you can carry out.
At the same time, it is probably something you do almost every day. You could have multiple left turns in your daily commute, meaning you are seeing constant exposure to this high level of risk. Why is making a left turn so problematic?
Mistakes have serious ramifications
For one thing, mistakes are common. Maybe a driver has to wait until traffic clears to turn left. If they simply make a poor judgment call and try to turn when there is not enough space, they create a nearly unavoidable accident.
In many areas on the road, a driver does not actually have to make decisions. They just have to follow instructions and the flow of traffic. But since turning left is a judgment call, it opens the door for drivers to make mistakes for a wide variety of reasons—fatigue, impairment, distraction, inexperience, etc.
But the real risk is just that the ramifications of these mistakes are very serious because they can cause high-speed accidents as traffic crosses paths. The oncoming driver has the right of way and may not even be slowing down. They can strike the turning car at full speed, and speed is strongly correlated to the severity of injuries when looking at car accident cases.
Seeking compensation
Have you been hit by a driver who made an improper left turn, leading to severe injuries? You may be able to seek financial compensation for lost wages, medical bills and other costs.
