Left-Hand Turn Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits – Filing a Claim for Your Injuries

According to published data negligent left hand turns by motorists on the road account for 20% to 30% of all pedestrian accidents in the United States. Cyclists and pedestrian are four times more likely to be struck by a vehicle that is turning left than by a vehicle that is making a right turn. Right of way laws in the state of California provide clear guidelines which motorist need to follow in order to protect the health and safety of pedestrians including bicycle riders, rollerbladers, and skaters. Victims o pedestrian accidents caused by illegal or unwarranted left hand turns are entitled to monetary compensation for their losses. Why are Left Hand Turns So Dangerous:  There has been much attention paid to examine the dangers associated with certain traffic maneuvers. According to recent studies the left hand turns are exceedingly more dangerous when compares to right hand turn accidents. The main reason provided is that “A driver making a left turn at an intersection often has to keep track of several traffic elements simultaneously, including opposing traffic-flow, traffic lights, and pedestrians crossing”. http://www.enhancements.org/download/trb/1538-008.PDF

Other common causes of left hand turn accidents include

• Distracted driving – failure to pay proper attention to the road and pedestrians
• Failure to yield at intersections when making a left hand turn
• Driving under the influence of Alcohol and other intoxicants
• Drowsy driving – sleeping at the wheel

California Left Turn and U Turn Guidelines:

V C Section 21801 set specific guidelines for drivers intending to turn left or make U-turns. The law states that drivers must, “yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.” California Driver handbook on left hand turns states that drivers should, Begin signaling about 100 feet before the turn. Look over your left shoulder and reduce your speed. Stop behind the limit line. Look left, then right, then left again, and make the turn when it is safe. When you turn left, do not turn too soon and “cut the corner” of the lane belonging to the vehicles coming towards you.” Filing a Pedestrian Injury Lawsuit against At Fault Drivers: Nationwide, 5.4 % of all travels are made on foot,  however nearly 13 % of all traffic fatalities involve pedestrians. Victims of pedestrian accidents are entitled to monetary compensation for their losses including

• Recovery for all medical and hospitalization costs
• Cost of rehabilitation and future medical costs
• Lost wage and loss of future earning capacity
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Punitive damages – where possible

Wrongful Death Claim: In California certain relatives of the deceased have a right to file a wrongful death cause of action against liable parties. California Wrongful Death Code of Civil Procedure state that a claim for wrongful death can be filed in the court of law by “The decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.” To speak to an attorney regarding your claim contact our Law Firm toll free (855) 339-8879.