Left Turn Car Accidents

When making a left turn at an intersection, there are many rules that both the driver turning and other motorists nearby must follow to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Unlike right turns, left turns require much more caution and are prohibited at red lights in the state of Rhode Island. Turning left at an intersection is also inherently more dangerous because it requires the driver to cross two lanes of traffic, one in which other drivers are coming straight towards them. In order to do this safely, drivers need to allow more time for making a left turn than would be necessary for a right turn: an important but often forgotten detail. The precarious nature of left turns makes them one of the most dangerous and challenging maneuvers on the road and this dangerous aspect can put Rhode Island drivers at risk for severe or fatal collisions. Drivers who find themselves a victim of a car accident caused by a negligent left turn, should contact trusted and experienced Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer David Tapalian in order to fight for proper compensation and hold the at-fault driver responsible for bodily injuries, property damage, and other losses sustained in the crash.

According to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, one-sixth of all car crashes happen when a vehicle is turning left. Oftentimes, drivers either do not know, or simply do not follow, the specific rules for left turns and consequently make significant errors that result in serious or fatal collisions. One rule in particular that is essential for drivers turning left to remember is that the cars coming towards you have the right-of-way. Any motorist that causes a left turn car accident by failing to yield to those who have the right of way can be held liable for any damages or personal injury that occur because of the incident.

In addition, many drivers do not give themselves enough time to make a safe left turn when trying to rush through a gap in between oncoming traffic. Unnecessary haste in turning left at intersections has caused serious harm not only to drivers but also to their passengers. For example, in September 2019, a driver in East Greenwich made an “abrupt left turn” near Frenchtown Road and Route 4 and crashed into another car head-on while crossing between traffic. The collision sent both drivers as well as three passengers to the hospital and left one vehicle toppled over on its side. After an incident like this, hurt victims need help to navigate the personal injury claim process against the responsible party to seek recompense for various expenses. Personal Injury Attorney David Tapalian has over twenty years of experience working with victims of car accidents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. At Tapalian Law, we have the skills necessary to help victims get justice for wrongful injury or, for families of victims of fatal accidents, wrongful death compensation.

Rhode Island laws provide very detailed and specific rules for drivers making left turns. According to the Rhode Island General Laws, drivers making a left turn are obligated not only to follow standard turning methods of using signals and staying in the lane closest to the direction in which they are turning, but also specifically to leave the intersection as quickly and safely as possible after making the turn. Violators of these mandates risk being subject to fines, or worse if their negligence causes an auto accident. For instance, in July 2018, a Newport man failed to follow the rules of the road and, when he did not use his left turn signal at an intersection in Middletown, collided with another vehicle resulting in a fatality. A top-rated Rhode Island personal injury lawyer like David Tapalian has the qualifications and expertise that allow him to help car accident victims make claims against negligent drivers.

Injuries due to a negligent driver taking a left turn can be quite significant. Left turn accidents almost always involve a T-bone or head-on collision, as seen in the case from East Greenwich. The injuries from these usually have more of an impact than those from a rear end auto accident. While a rear end collision often involves whiplash, a side impact or frontal impact collision can be much more devastating. With side impact and frontal impact collisions, the occupants can be thrown throughout the vehicle, often striking their heads and other parts of their body on the glass and structural components of the car. Left turn motor vehicle accidents can often result in significant concussions and other structural injuries that require significant treatment. It’s important to have proficient legal resources when dealing with the damage of such a substantial wreck. At Tapalian Law, Personal Injury Attorney David Tapalian leads our clients to success in receiving the compensation they deserve for their pain-and-suffering, personal injuries, and material damages caused by these unfortunate incidents.

Turning left at an intersection requires a certain level of concentration and carefulness that drivers often neglect to maintain. The extra variables involved in the maneuver make left turns three times more dangerous than right turns and a significant cause of car accidents in general. Although these dangers put vehicle operators at a higher risk of collision, citizens of Rhode and Island and Massachusetts can rest assured that if they find themselves a victim of a motor vehicle accident, Attorney David Tapalian and his personal injury team in Providence, RI, Warwick, RI, and Seekonk, MA, are available to offer support in the aftermath. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, contact Tapalian Law by phone at 401-552-5000 or by going online to request a free consultation with a qualified attorney and learn how best to move forward with your claim.