Drivers often fail to see motorcycles on the road, especially at left turns. This leads to many accidents being the result of improper left turns. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s drivers’ negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C. , our seasoned Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to providing practical and cost-effective legal advice for your case.
Sadly, left turn accidents are quite commonplace. Data collected from Arbella Insurance highlights that 31 percent of serious wrecks in 2013 involved an automobile turning left. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of the total 5.8 million car accidents that take place in the country every year are intersection-related and the majority of those involve making an improper left turn. In fact, a 2010 NHTSA report found that in the case of 22.2 percent of crashes, the critical pre-crash event (i.e., an event that made the crash imminent) was turning left.
Motor vehicles making left turns can pose a danger to motorcycles if they are not careful. Left turn accidents with motorcycles can happen in a number of ways, including:
- A motorist cutting off a motorcyclist while making a left turn;
- A motorist running a red light;
- A motorist ignoring stop sign, not coming to a complete stop and prematurely making a left turn;
- A motorist making a left turn at a yellow light without scanning the surrounding area for a motorcycle.
When collisions involving a left turn take place, liability is assessed. In the vast majority of auto accidents, liability is determined using the legal theory of negligence. The law requires drivers to act in a reasonably safe manner behind the wheel. As such, when a driver causes an accident and resulting injury by failing to use reasonable care while driving, that driver will likely be considered negligent. Reasonable care refers to the level of care that a prudent or sensible driver would have used under the same or similar circumstances.
The law puts the burden of proving a driver’s negligence in a left turn crash on the injured motorcyclist. The motorcyclist must establish the case by a “preponderance of the evidence.” Under this standard, also known as the ‘greater weight of the evidence’ standard, the party who has the more persuasive and convincing force and effect of the evidence in the case will win. In other words, the judge or jury must believe that the motorcyclist’s assertions are more likely true than not true in order for the motorcyclist to prevail.
If you or your loved one was injured in a left turn accident, you need to understand your legal rights and options. The experienced Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys at Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C. want to help you with your left turn accident case and can effectively advocate for your rights throughout the entire legal process. With over 25 years of experience, our firm understands the nuances of this area of law and will apply it your case. Call us today at 1-800-262-9200 or reach us through our website.
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