Left Turn Accidents

Highly Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Clients in Savannah and Throughout Chatham County

Motorcycle accidents can happen in many different ways, but one of the most common and dangerous scenarios involves a vehicle making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. These “left turn accidents” often occur when a driver fails to see an approaching motorcyclist or misjudges their speed, resulting in a serious collision. If you or a loved one has been injured in a left turn accident, the experienced team at Suthers & Harper is here to help. Our Savannah motorcycle accident attorneys have handled countless motorcycle accident cases and know what it takes to secure the compensation you need to overcome your injuries and get your life back on track. 

Examples of Left Turn Accidents

Left turn accidents typically happen when a driver turning left at an intersection misjudges the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcycle or fails to see the motorcycle altogether. These accidents often occur in the following scenarios:

At Intersections: A car making a left turn at an intersection directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver may not see the motorcyclist or might misjudge how quickly the motorcycle is approaching.

In Parking Lots or Driveways: A vehicle turning left into or out of a parking lot or driveway, cutting across a lane of traffic and into the path of a motorcycle.

At Traffic Signals: A driver making a left turn at a green light, assuming the motorcyclist will stop or slow down, leading to a collision.

In most cases, these accidents are caused by a driver’s failure to properly gauge the speed of the motorcycle or a lack of attention when scanning the road for smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Unfortunately, these collisions can have devastating consequences for motorcyclists, who are at greater risk of serious injury or death due to their lack of protection. In most cases involving a left turn accident, the rider is thrown from their bike, either into or over the vehicle. 

Why Are Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents So Common?

Left turn accidents involving motorcycles are particularly common for several reasons, many of which relate to the visibility and perception of motorcycles on the road. Some of the primary reasons why these accidents occur so frequently include:

Difficulty Seeing Motorcycles: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars, making them harder for drivers to spot, especially at intersections or during low-light conditions. Drivers may not expect to see a motorcycle or may fail to notice it until it’s too late.

Misjudging Speed and Distance: Drivers often misjudge the speed at which a motorcycle is approaching. Motorcycles may appear to be moving slower than they actually are due to their size, causing drivers to assume they have more time to complete the turn.

Driver Distraction: Distracted driving is a leading cause of all traffic accidents, including left turn collisions. Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted may fail to notice an approaching motorcycle, leading to a dangerous crash.

Failure to Yield: Many left turn accidents are the result of drivers failing to yield the right of way to motorcyclists. Georgia law requires drivers making left turns to yield to oncoming traffic, including motorcycles, but failure to do so often leads to collisions.

If you’ve been injured in a left turn accident, the Savannah motorcycle accident lawyers at Suthers & Harper can help you build a compelling case designed to connect you with fair compensation for all your damages —economic and non-economic. 

Determining Fault in Left Turn Accidents

In most left turn accidents, the driver making the left turn is at fault for the collision. Under Georgia law, specifically, Section 40-6-71, drivers turning left are required to yield to oncoming traffic, and failure to do so is considered negligence. However, there are some circumstances where fault may be shared or placed on the motorcyclist, such as:

Speeding Motorcyclists: If the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the accident, the driver may argue that they couldn’t accurately judge the motorcycle’s speed, leading to the collision. This could result in shared fault, which could reduce the motorcyclist’s compensation under Georgia’s comparative negligence laws.

Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: If the motorcyclist ran a red light or stop sign, the driver may not have had a reasonable expectation of needing to yield to oncoming traffic, which could place fault on the motorcyclist.

Sudden Lane Changes: If the motorcyclist made an abrupt lane change just before the left turn accident, the driver might argue that they couldn’t anticipate the motorcycle’s position in time to avoid the crash.

Determining fault in a left turn accident requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances leading up to the crash. At Suthers & Harper, our Savannah motorcycle accident attorneys have specific experience handling left turn accident cases and know what to look for to build a strong case. 

Have You Been Injured in a Left Turn Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a left turn accident, it’s essential to speak with an injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Suthers & Harper, our experienced team of Savannah motorcycle accident lawyers understands the difficulties you’re confronting in the aftermath of an accident and will do everything possible to make the recovery process as smooth as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve. You can reach us by calling 800-320-2384 or by filling out our secure online contact form. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.