Do you feel nervous every time you make a left turn? You are not alone. In fact, some people argue that left turns should be eliminated entirely because they are simply too dangerous.
Intersections are one of the places where injury accidents and fatal accidents are most common. In the majority of these accidents, approximately 61 percent, at least one of the drivers was turning left at the time of the crash. This shows that it is not just that intersections are dangerous in a general sense, but that left turns themselves are significantly more dangerous than most other maneuvers a driver will make.
2 main reasons
There are many reasons why these accidents occur, but there are two primary factors that make left turns so hazardous. The first is the inherent risk of turning in front of oncoming traffic. Even when a driver believes there is a large and safe gap, they are still turning across another vehicle’s path. This is more dangerous than driving straight or making a right turn in nearly every situation.
The second issue is that left turns are a judgment call. Drivers must correctly assess gaps in traffic, choose the right moment to turn and obey traffic signals or lights. All it takes is one driver failing to yield the right of way to an oncoming vehicle to cause a serious accident.
When your safety depends on another driver making the correct decision at the correct time, there is always a risk that they will not do so.
Seeking compensation
Have you been injured in an accident caused by another driver, perhaps at an intersection? Be sure you understand how to seek financial compensation for lost wages, medical costs and the like.