Beaumont Auto Wreck Injury Attorney for Victims of Left-Turn Collisions
Left-turn crashes are as prevalent as they are dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that as many as 22.2% of all traffic collisions happen while one party is turning left. Other studies have found that left turns are three times more likely to kill pedestrians than right turns. Left turns involve the application of a number of traffic rules simultaneously, and turning left without the appropriate care and caution can be dangerous, if not deadly.
If you’ve been involved in an automobile collision, it’s important to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible and talk to a dedicated car wreck attorney to discuss your right to compensation. Beaumont personal injury lawyer Gilbert Adams pursues justice for victims of left-turn crashes through the civil justice system by holding negligent drivers accountable to their victims for the damages caused. Our car crash legal team has years of experience dedicated to recovering the maximum compensation available for our clients. If you or someone you care about was hurt in a left-turn collision, call our Beaumont personal injury law firm today for stellar advice and representation.
Determining Fault After a Left-Turn Collision
Legal responsibility for damages inflicted depends on determining who caused the crash and whether that person’s conduct amounted to negligence or a failure to exercise ordinary care. In left-turn collisions, it’s often the party turning left who failed to yield to oncoming traffic.
Unless there is a protected turn signal, Texas law requires parties turning left at an intersection or from the middle of a lane to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. If a party fails to adequately yield, then they are likely responsible for any resulting crash and any damages caused. Of course, that is not always the case–it’s possible that the oncoming driver failed to stop for a stop sign or red light, took faulty evasive action, or was driving while texting, intoxicated, or drowsy and failed to correct for an oncoming hazard.
A seasoned crash lawyer at Gilbert Adams Law Offices will conduct an investigation into the circumstances of your collision to determine what happened and who may be held legally responsible. Negligent drivers, automakers, and even the government entity that designed the intersection could be to blame.
Recovering Compensation After a Left-Turn Crash
At Gilbert Adams Law Offices, our car crash injury team helps left turn collision victims maximize their potential recovery. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a negligent driver in a left turn crash, you may be entitled to several different categories of damages.
Traffic crash victims can recover compensation for the “economic” harm they’ve suffered. Economic damages are those that are tied to a specific dollar value, the money you’ve had to pay or will have to pay as a result of your injuries and other harms. Economic damages include:
- Property damage and loss of use of your vehicle
- Medical bills
- Lost wages or income during recovery
- Future anticipated medical costs, including physical therapy, nursing care, rehabilitation, and surgical costs
- Loss of earning capacity or future earnings due to temporary or permanent disability
Additionally, crash victims can recover for “noneconomic” elements of damage. Noneconomic damages cover the mental and emotional harm you’ve suffered and will continue to suffer as a result of your injuries. You may be eligible to collect compensation for your:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of companionship and intimacy
- Disability
If the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious, such as if they were intoxicated or they intentionally crashed, punitive damages may be imposed against a grossly negligent driver. Punitive damages are meant to punish a wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in similar conduct rather than to compensate the victim; they are awarded on top of other compensatory damages. A seasoned Texas car crash attorney can help you understand the types of damages you may be able to recover and help you secure the maximum possible amount.
Call a Zealous Car Crash Attorney After a Texas Left-Turn Collision
If you or someone you care about has been hurt or worse in a left-turn collision caused by a negligent driver in Texas, contact the Gilbert Adams Law Offices in Beaumont at 409-835-3000 for a free consultation with a passionate and successful Texas auto collision attorney.