A driver making a left turn has to watch carefully for approaching traffic. When they turn without enough time or space, the result can be a serious crash.
If you were injured in a left-turn accident in Middletown, New York, Rolo Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our Middletown left-turn accident lawyers have the resources and experience to build a strong case on your behalf.
Give us a call today at 845-383-7790 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers After a Left-Turn Accident in Middletown, NY?
After a car accident, everyday life can become complicated quickly. You may be trying to keep up with medical appointments, arrange transportation, miss time at work, and deal with an insurance adjuster—all while recovering from your injuries.
Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers helps people in Middletown, New York, manage the legal side of an accident so they can focus more on their recovery.
Our Middletown personal injury lawyers bring:
- 40 years of combined experience
- Knowledge of New York traffic, insurance, and personal injury laws
- Over 90 five-star Google reviews
We can look closely at how your crash occurred and determine who may be responsible. Contact our Middletown car accident attorneys today to discuss your accident during a free consultation.
Who Is at Fault for a Left-Turn Accident in New York?
Left turns require drivers to cross lanes that may already be occupied by approaching traffic. That means a driver cannot simply turn because they have reached an intersection or driveway.
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1141, a driver turning left at an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway must yield to approaching vehicles that are already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard.
A driver making a left turn could cause an accident by:
- Turning across the path of an approaching vehicle
- Misjudging how fast another vehicle is traveling
- Failing to notice a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian
- Looking at a phone or becoming distracted
- Disregarding a traffic signal or sign
Still, the turning driver is not automatically responsible for every left-turn collision. The other driver’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the crash also matter. A careful investigation can help establish what each person was doing in the moments before impact.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Middletown Left-Turn Accident Claim?
After a collision, drivers do not always agree about what happened. One person may say they had enough time to turn, while the other may insist the turn happened directly in front of them.
Depending on the accident, useful evidence may include:
- Police accident reports
- Photos and videos from the crash scene
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage
- Damage to the vehicles
- Statements from people who witnessed the collision
- Cellphone records, when relevant and obtainable
- Medical records documenting your injuries
Some evidence can disappear quickly. For example, nearby businesses may not keep surveillance recordings indefinitely. Our Middletown car accident lawyers can investigate the crash and work to preserve evidence that may support your claim.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Left-Turn Crash?
A serious car accident can affect much more than your vehicle. Injuries can lead to hospital bills, follow-up appointments, time away from work, and changes to your daily routine.
Depending on your circumstances, compensation related to a left-turn accident may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
New York’s no-fault insurance rules can affect which losses you may pursue from another driver. Under New York Insurance Law § 5104, a covered person generally cannot recover non-economic losses from another covered person unless the accident resulted in a qualifying serious injury.
The amount and types of compensation available depend on the facts of the case. Our attorneys can review your injuries, insurance coverage, and other losses to help determine what damages may be available.
What Injuries Can Left-Turn Accidents Cause?
Many left-turn accidents happen at intersections, where an approaching driver may have only a few seconds to react. Depending on the vehicles’ positions, the impact can be head-on, nearly head-on, or directly into the side of one vehicle.
These collisions can result in injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians can be especially vulnerable because they have little protection from the force of a collision.
Even an injury that initially seems manageable can become more painful in the hours or days after a crash. Getting appropriate medical attention can protect your health and create a record of your injuries and treatment.
Contact a Middletown Left-Turn Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
One poorly timed left turn can leave another person dealing with injuries and financial problems for weeks, months, or longer. If that happened to you in Middletown, New York, Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers is available to discuss what happened and explain your options.
Our attorneys have 40 years of combined experience representing injured clients. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Middletown left-turn accident lawyer.