Left turns are notorious for being the root of many car accidents in Georgia. While left turns are common, the injuries caused by left turn accidents can be devastating.
Fortunately, victims can recover damages from an at-fault driver in a left-turn accident. In Georgia, the driver making the left turn is responsible for ensuring it is safe to turn, so they are automatically liable under Georgia law if an accident occurs. However, there are situations where the oncoming driver is to blame for hitting you while making a left turn. Our attorneys can help you gather evidence to show how the other driver was at fault for your injuries.
If you were hurt in a left-turn car accident, our Georgia personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation from the at-fault driver. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case assessment.
Determining Who is At Fault for a Left Turn Accident in Georgia
When someone is injured in a left-turn accident in Georgia, they typically wonder who will be held responsible. Georgia law settles this question conclusively by placing responsibility for a left turn accident on the driver attempting to make the left turn. However, exceptions to this automatic application of liability exist that could impact your case. Our Georgia car accident lawyers can review your case to determine how the other driver was at fault for your injuries.
Georgia’s Left-Turn Law
In Georgia, determining who is at fault in a left turn accident is relatively straightforward since Georgia law automatically holds the driver making the left turn at fault. According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71, the driver making the left turn must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic regardless of whether at an intersection, driveway, alley, or private road. The reason for the automatic determination of fault is that it is the vehicle making the left turn that is cutting against the normal flow of traffic and the one that needs to exercise patience until the road clears.
Drivers making a left turn have the right of way when there is a green or flashing yellow arrow at a light unless a pedestrian or bicyclist is in the crosswalk, in which case they must yield the right of way to them. When making a left turn, drivers are expected to do so from the lane closest to the center unless road signs indicate multiple turn lanes. Devastating accidents can occur when drivers attempt to turn left across multiple lanes of traffic.
Exceptions to Georgia’s Left-Turn Law
There are a few exceptions where a driver making a left turn will not be liable for causing the accident. For instance, if the oncoming car ran a red light or was speeding through the intersection, the oncoming car could be held responsible for the accident. Also, if some circumstance occurred while a driver was making a left turn that caused them to stop or slow down, they would likely not be held accountable for a resulting accident. Lastly, if a left-turn accident was caused by a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can be held civilly liable for their criminal conduct. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys can help you file a lawsuit if another driver caused the left-turn accident in which you were injured.
How Georgia Decides Comparative Negligence in a Left Turn Accident Lawsuit
Even though liability for a left-turn accident is established by law, it is common for insurance companies and defense attorneys to argue that you contributed to causing the accident. Fortunately, Georgia uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule to determine fault in a lawsuit. This means that each driver will be assigned a percentage of fault if they each contributed to causing the accident. Whatever percentage the plaintiff is found to be at fault, their award will be reduced by that amount. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 but found 10% at fault, you would still recover $90,000.
However, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule uses the “50 percent” rule, meaning that a plaintiff will be prevented from recovering any compensation if they are found 50 percent or more at fault. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you address any conduct you think could be used to reduce the compensation you deserve.
Evidence Used to Prove Fault for a Left-Turn Accident in Georgia?
To prove fault in a left turn accident, you will need evidence showing how the other driver caused your accident. Depending on the facts of your case, evidence can come from various sources. Our personal injury lawyers can use their experience to collect the evidence to prove fault in your case.
Surveillance and Traffic Camera Footage
Traffic and surveillance cameras can capture footage of a left-turn accident if they are in the right place. If footage exists, it can go a long way in showing how your accident was caused, leaving little room for argument. Footage of your accident might also be preserved on a dashcam or a cell phone.
Police Crash Report
Police accident reports can provide decisive evidence of fault in a left-turn accident. Police reports typically list who was responsible for the accident and how the other driver violated your right of way.
Eyewitnesses
Many left-turn accidents occur at intersections, so there could be several eyewitnesses to your accident. Pedestrians and other drivers who witnessed your accident could provide testimony as to what they saw. Our lawyers can also procure expert witnesses for more complex cases.
Accident Reconstruction Investigations
If your case involves serious injuries or other complex issues, it might be necessary to use an accident reconstructionist to prove who was at fault. Accident reconstructionists have many investigative techniques and computer programs to help establish how an accident occurred and who caused it. Our personal injury attorneys can help determine if your case requires additional measures to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Our Georgia Left Turn Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were recently injured in a left-turn car accident in Georgia, our Columbus personal injury lawyers can help you prove that the other driver was at fault. For a free case review, contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Related Articles
