Left-turn collisions can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists. These motorcycle accidents can result in injury and potentially death. When a driver or a motorcyclist is turning left, they expose themselves to the maximum possible danger. Because a motorcycle can be difficult to see, much depends on the driver and the amount of attention and care they focus on the road. When a driver causes a left-hand turn collision injuries through their own carelessness, you could be entitled to substantial financial compensation for your injuries.
What Are the Dangers of Left-Turn Collisions?
When either you or the driver is making a left-hand turn, you are at risk as a motorcyclist. Perhaps the most dangerous type of left-hand turn accident is when the motorist makes a turn that cuts in front of the biker. Here, the motorcyclist may experience an impact that is similar to that of a head-on collision. The biker could slam straight into the driver’s side of a passenger car when the motorist cuts in front of them, which often causes fatalities. If a motorcyclist is fortunate enough to survive this type of crash, they will be left with life-changing injuries.
A motorcyclist can suffer severe injuries, even when they do not slam straight into the driver’s car. When a motorist makes an illegal left-hand turn, the motorcyclist could be forced to take sudden evasive action. The result may be that the motorcyclist loses control of their bike, and they fall to the pavement.
Drivers can also injure a motorcyclist when the biker is the one who is making a left-hand turn. Even though a motorcycle is small, the biker needs a certain amount of space to safely execute a left-hand turn. A passenger car driver can veer into their lane when the motorcyclist is making a turn, causing a collision or causing the biker to lose control.
Causes of Left-Hand Turn Motorcycle Accidents
Both passenger car drivers and motorcyclists are obligated to exercise due care when they are on the road. A driver can put a motorcyclist’s life in danger when they fail to exercise the reasonable amount of care that is expected of them under the circumstances. Examples of actions that could be considered negligence that may cause a left-hand turn motorcycle crash include the following:
- Distracted driving causes the passenger car driver to not see the motorcyclist when they make a turn.
- Failure to follow traffic laws and yield the right of way when required by statute.
- Speeding, causing a driver to lose control of their car, or not to be able to read and process traffic instructions as they see them.
- The driver was not able to see properly in the weather conditions, which is not necessarily an excuse that would allow the motorists to escape liability.
There may be other parties who could be liable for a left-hand turn accident, such as the government if the intersection where the crash occurred was poorly designed or signed.
How Is Liability Determined for a Left-Hand Turn Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident as a motorcyclist, you must prove that the driver, or someone else, was negligent in the circumstances leading up to the crash. One challenge that you may need to contend with is the fact that the insurance company may not be sympathetic or willing to listen to your side of the story. They may try to find a way to blame you as the motorcyclist because they know that it could either eliminate or reduce their legal liability to you. Not only is it up to you to come up with the evidence needed to prove liability, but you must also be prepared to push back and rebut the insurance company’s story when they try to blame you for the accident.
Contact a Norristown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bikers Have Rights if You Are Seeking Compensation for Your Motorcycle Crash Injuries
If you have been injured in any type of crash when you were on your bike, a Norristown motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights can help. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 877-333-0300 or contact us online. Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.