Did you know that left turns are the single most common cause of car accidents nationally? That’s what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered when researching its landmark study Crash Factors in Intersection-Related Crashes: An On-Scene Perspective. Left turns are inherently dangerous because they mean passing through the path of oncoming traffic.

When that interaction results in a collision, car crash victims are left in considerable pain, dealing with expensive medical needs and facing an uncertain future. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. Whether a driver turned left in front of you or you were hit by an oncoming driver while you were making a protected left turn, if someone else caused the crash, our car accident lawyers can demand that they compensate you fairly. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Philadelphia left-turn car accident lawyer, and let us get started on your case right away.

 Why Injury Victims Trust The Levin Firm With Complex Accident Claims

If you’ve recently been hurt in a left-turn accident in Philadelphia, time is not on your side. Evidence can go missing without a prompt investigation, and insurance companies are already at work to minimize your payout in any way they can. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this time alone, because an experienced car accident lawyer is just a click or phone call away. Here are just a few of the reasons why injury victims in Philadelphia turn to The Levin Firm for help with their most complex accident cases:

  • We provide personal service. Your well-being will be our top priority. You won’t get handed off to a paralegal or support staff. Instead, you’ll meet directly with the personal injury lawyer who will handle your case from start to finish.
  • We deliver results. Since opening our doors in 2005, we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Pennsylvanians like you. We dedicate the time, resources, and investigative insight it takes to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
  • We win awards. We’ve garnered acclaim for our excellent client service and track record of meaningful results. We’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers, maintain a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo as a Top Attorney – Car Accident, and have been named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100.
  • We do not charge a fee unless we win. We know that money is tight after a serious accident. That’s why we won’t charge you a fee unless and until we win your case. If you don’t get paid, neither do we – it’s that simple.

Contact us to speak with a Philadelphia intersection accident lawyer at no cost or obligation.

Why Left-Turn Accidents Are So Common at Philadelphia Intersections

Left-turn accidents can happen anywhere, but several factors make Philadelphia intersections particularly prone to these collisions. From Center City’s congested streets to busy commercial corridors in Northeast Philadelphia, drivers frequently face challenging traffic conditions that increase the likelihood of a car wreck when attempting a left turn. Common factors that contribute to left-turn accidents in Philadelphia include:

  • Heavy traffic volumes on surface-level streets
  • High density in the urban core and attendant old street layouts
  • Pedestrian activity in the city’s downtown and tourist areas
  • A large number of tourists and other out-of-town drivers

Who Has the Right of Way in a Left-Turn Scenario?

Pennsylvania law requires that a driver intending to turn left at an intersection or onto an alley, private road, or driveway yield the right of way to oncoming traffic that is close enough to present a safety hazard. So, in most car accidents involving a left turn, Pennsylvania left-turn accident liability rests with the driver who was making the left turn rather than the driver who was proceeding straight and had the right of way.

Failure to Yield: One of the Leading Causes of Left-Turn Crashes

Most left-turn accidents are a subset of failure-to-yield accidents, in that they involve a driver traveling through oncoming traffic that has the right of way. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, improper turning was the second leading cause of driver error–related accidents statewide in one recent year, behind only speeding.

Left-turn accidents often result from a driver misjudging the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle, attempting to “beat” traffic through an intersection, or simply failing to look carefully before turning. These crashes are often severe because the turning vehicle crosses directly into the path of oncoming traffic that has little time to brake to avoid a collision.

In many cases, investigators determine that the left-turning driver was at fault because they failed to yield the right-of-way. However, every accident is unique, and there are circumstances where the driver traveling straight through the intersection might be partially or even solely to blame, such as if they ran a stop sign or were traveling the wrong way. 

Dangerous Philadelphia Intersections Where Left-Turn Accidents Happen Frequently

While practically any intersection could be the site of a left-turn accident, some stand out as particularly dangerous, according to WHYY News. These include:

WHYY also reported Broad Street as the most dangerous street in Philadelphia, which the city hopes to address through the installation of speed cameras between East Oak Lane and South Philadelphia. This major surface arterial runs approximately 12.5 miles from the border of Cheltenham Township in the north to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to the south.

Can the Driver Turning Left Still Recover Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim?

Whether the driver who made the left turn can recover compensation after an accident depends in part on who was to blame for what happened. While the left-turning driver is typically at fault for a crash under Pennsylvania state law, this is not universally true. For example, the oncoming driver would be at fault if they ran a red light while the other driver was making a protected left turn. Both drivers might share fault if the oncoming driver was speeding. In these scenarios, the oncoming driver might owe the left-turning driver compensation. An experienced lawyer can advise you on whether you could still recover compensation given the unique facts of your case.

Common Injuries Caused by Left-Turn Car Accidents

The particular impact dynamics of a left-turn accident can lead to serious injuries, such as:

  • Broken bones
  • Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash and other neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Chest and rib injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Knee, leg, and foot injuries
  • Shoulder, arm, and wrist injuries
  • Facial injuries and dental trauma

Evidence That Can Help Prove Fault in a Left-Turn Collision

The driver turning left against traffic is not automatically at fault for a resulting collision. Rather, victims will need to prove that the other driver violated traffic laws or was acting carelessly. Doing so requires evidence such as:

  • Police reports
  • Photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
  • Skid marks, debris patterns, and other physical evidence
  • Dashcam or traffic camera footage
  • Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or residences
  • Witness statements
  • Cell phone records showing possible distracted driving
  • Vehicles’ event data recorder (“black box”) information
  • Medical records documenting accident-related injuries
  • Repair estimates and vehicle inspection reports

Depending on the complexity of the case, an accident reconstruction expert may need to review this evidence and use it to reconstruct the chain of events leading up to the accident.

If you suffered injuries in a left-turn accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys for a free initial consultation. 

What Financial Compensation Can You Recover After a Left-Turn Accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the car crash, a failure to yield accident lawyer in Philadelphia can help you pursue compensation for your:

  • Medical bills, ongoing medical costs, physical therapy, and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
  • Vehicle repairs and other property damage
  • Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
  • Physical pain and suffering damages
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Permanent disability or impairment
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

How a Philadelphia Left-Turn Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Build Your Case

Turn to a Philadelphia car accident lawyer for help pursuing your case. While you rest and recover, they can get to work by:

  • Investigating the crash and recovering evidence to establish another party’s legal fault
  • Determining fault and identifying all responsible parties that could owe you money, as well as available insurance policies and other sources of compensation
  • Communicating with insurance companies for you so that you aren’t exposed to their tactics to minimize your claim
  • Negotiating aggressively for an out-of-court settlement that pays you fairly without the uncertainty and delay of a trial
  • Arguing your case in court if the other side won’t make you a fair offer
  • Supporting you throughout your personal injury case and providing you with regular updates about what’s happening

At The Levin Firm, there’s no risk to pursuing your rights because we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.

Contact a Philadelphia Left-Turn Car Accident Lawyer Today

Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of a left-turn accident that was not your fault? Then let The Levin Firm fight hard to get you the fair compensation you need to put your life back together. Contact us today to speak with a left-turn accident attorney in Philadelphia during a free no-pressure consultation.