Left Turn Accident Attorney in Michigan

Left turn accidents can be extremely dangerous, especially when one vehicle T-bones or hits the other vehicle on the side. A driver or passenger can be severely injured or killed in a left turn car accident. For that reason, these types of car crashes typically result in substantial costs and damages for the accident victim. Recovering compensation from the at-fault driver can help provide the medical care and personal care necessary after a left turn car crash.  The Okemos left turn accident attorneys of The Clark Law Office represent victims of a left turn car crash. Call 517-347-6900 to schedule a free legal consultation with an attorney to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries.

Rules for Left Turns in Michigan

Many left turn accidents are caused because a driver fails to obey Michigan traffic laws for left hand turns. However, Michigan has some unique laws related to left turns. Some of the rules for left turns in Michigan include:

  • Drivers turning left across lanes of oncoming traffic must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic unless the driver has a green arrow or green light giving the driver the right of way for a left turn.
  • Always use a turn signal to give other motorists adequate warning you are turning left.
  • At intersections that do not permit a left turn, drivers must turn right or drive straight and make a U-turn at a median crossover (turnaround). This is known as a Michigan Left.
  • Drivers are permitted to turn left on a steady red light at a Michigan turnaround if traffic permits and you are turning onto a one-way road traveling in the same direction as the one-way road. However, you are not permitted to turn left on red at an intersection.
  • Motorists are permitted to drive through a turnaround only when a traffic light is present and the light is green.
  • Drivers turning left at intersections or turnarounds where a crosswalk or bicycle lane is present must yield the right of way to individuals in those areas.

Drivers should be familiar with and obey Michigan traffic laws. In many cases, when a driver turns left and fails to yield the right of way when required by law, the driver is at-fault if he or she causes a collision. When a driver causes an accident because he or she disobeys traffic laws, that driver may be held liable for injuries, damages, and losses caused by the car crash.

Proving Fault for a Michigan Left Turn Car Accident

Left turn accidents are a common type of traffic accident in Okemos, Lansing, and throughout Michigan. Safely maneuvering a vehicle through a left turn can be tricky at some intersections. Therefore, drivers have a duty to remain alert, proceed with caution, and obey all traffic laws related to left turns. When a driver fails in this duty, the driver may be held liable.  However, you must prove the driver caused the crash that resulted in your injuries and losses to collect compensation. In some states, people assume that the driver turning left is at fault unless the other vehicle ran a red light, and still it can be difficult to overcome the presumption that a driver making a left turn caused the crash.

However, Michigan has some unique laws for left turns, such as the Michigan left. Therefore, the assumption of fault may not be as strong in Michigan as in other states. Regardless of whether you are convinced that the driver turning left caused your car crash, you must prove fault to the insurance company before you can receive compensation for your claim.  A Michigan left turn accident attorney can help you obtain the evidence you need to prove fault. Some of the crucial steps an attorney takes to prove fault for a collision include:

  • Physical investigation of the accident scene
  • Interviewing eyewitnesses
  • Reviewing police reports and accident statements
  • Securing physical evidence from the vehicles
  • Searching for video evidence of the collision
  • Interview the police officer and other first responders who reported to the accident scene
  • Review photographs or videos you made immediately after the crash
  • Employ an accident reconstructionist and other experts, if necessary

It is easier to determine fault in some left turn accidents than in other left turn crashes. A skilled Lansing left turn accident lawyer helps you establish fault and seek maximum compensation regardless of the complexity of the accident.  An insurance company may deny your claim or undervalue your claim even though it knows that its insured was clearly at fault. Consult with a car accident attorney to protect your legal rights before you discuss the claim with the insurance company for the other driver.

Compensation for a Left Turn Accident in Michigan

The amount of compensation you may receive for a left turn accident claim depends on several factors. The types of damages also depend on the facts of the case. However, common damages that many accident victims incur because of a left turn collision include:

  • Cost of medical expenses and personal care
  • Loss of income, including lost wages and loss of earning potential
  • Property damage
  • Impairment and permanent disability
  • Physical suffering and pain
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Mental anguish and emotional suffering
  • Other out-of-pocket financial losses

Our Michigan left turn accident lawyer works closely with you and your physician to document your losses and damages. We assist you in documenting your losses and damages to increase the chance you recover full compensation for all damages.

Contact a Michigan Left Turn Accident Attorney

If you are injured in a left turn accident in Okemos, Lansing, or the surrounding areas, we want to listen to your story. You can trust that when you talk, we listen. Our expert auto accident attorneys treat clients as individuals instead of another claim.  Contact The Clark Law Office by calling 517-347-6900 to schedule a free legal consultation. You are under no obligation to retain our firm after meeting with us for a free case review. Get the information and legal advice you need to protect your right to hold the negligent driver who caused your injuries responsible for your losses.

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