You’re riding your motorcycle on a pleasant afternoon, confident in your skills and alert to the cars around you. Suddenly, an oncoming car makes a left turn across your path, leaving you almost no time to react. Motorcycle accidents involving left turns are among the most common and most devastating collisions riders face. Beyond the physical injuries, you’re left to deal with mounting medical bills, lost income, and frustrating insurance negotiations.
The crucial question is, Who is liable for a left-turn motorcycle accident? In this blog post, we’ll look at typical scenarios and legal principles affecting left-turn motorcycle accident liability in New York and beyond. We’ll also explain how working with a left-turn crash lawyer from Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the path toward the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Left-Turn Accidents
Motorcycles are already at a heightened risk on the road, as drivers often overlook them due to their smaller size or incorrectly judge their speed. Common factors contributing to these dangerous collisions include:
- Failure to yield. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. However, some drivers rush through gaps or believe they can “beat” approaching traffic, not realizing how fast a motorcycle is traveling.
- Visibility issues. Drivers may claim they never saw the motorcycle, especially if there was poor lighting or multiple lanes of traffic.
- Distractions. Texting, talking on the phone, adjusting GPS—any form of driver inattention can make it more likely they will fail to see an oncoming bike.
- Misjudged speed. Motorcycles can appear to be traveling slower than they are. A driver might incorrectly gauge how long a rider takes to reach the intersection and turn too late.
Regardless of the cause, a left-turn collision can lead to severe injuries for the motorcyclist, including broken bones, head trauma, road rash, spinal cord damage, and more. Determining liability in these situations is critical for securing the compensation you need to cover your losses and move forward.
Understanding Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident Liability
Under general traffic laws, a left-turn driver is typically expected to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles, including motorcycles. When a driver violates this rule and causes a crash, they can be deemed negligent. However, liability isn’t always straightforward. Some circumstances can complicate determining fault, such as:
- Speeding. If the motorcycle was traveling significantly above the speed limit, the turning driver’s miscalculation might not be the sole cause of the accident.
- Changing lanes. If the rider changes lanes abruptly without signaling, the turning driver might argue that the motorcycle is not where they expected it to be.
- Obstructed view. A large vehicle, a stopped delivery truck, or construction barriers might block the driver’s line of sight, making liability less clear-cut.
- Traffic signals. If the left turn was made under a green arrow or some other specific directive and the motorcyclist failed to yield as required by law—the turning driver might not be responsible.
The driver making the left turn is often found primarily at fault, but that doesn’t mean they are always 100% at fault. However, New York allows for shared liability in accidents.
Comparative Negligence in New York
New York follows the principle of pure comparative negligence. This rule means you can still recover damages even if you are partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if a court determines the driver turning left is 80% responsible and you are 20% responsible, you’d receive 80% of your total damages.
Investigating a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident
To establish negligence, an investigation into the collision is critical. This process typically involves:
- Police reports,
- Eyewitness testimony,
- Camera footage,
- Scene photos,
- Accident reconstruction experts, and
- Medical records.
The goal is to create a clear picture of what happened so that fault is assigned accurately.
Do You Need a Left-Turn Crash Lawyer?
If you’ve suffered injuries in a left-turn collision, you might wonder whether you need legal representation. After all, it might seem obvious who was at fault. However, insurance companies rarely make the claim process simple for injured riders. Let’s look at some things your lawyer can do for you that could be quite difficult to do properly on your own:
- Collect evidence. Skilled attorneys know what evidence is crucial and how to obtain it. For instance, they can subpoena phone records if they suspect the other driver was texting or hire an accident reconstructionist to prove liability in close-call situations.
- Negotiate with insurers. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to reduce or deny claims, sometimes erroneously arguing that the motorcyclist was driving recklessly or exceeding the speed limit. A lawyer acts as your advocate, pushing back against these tactics.
- Build a comparative negligence defense. If the insurer tries to pin partial blame on you, an experienced lawyer knows how to introduce evidence that counters these allegations, maximizing your potential compensation.
- Build a legal strategy. If settlement negotiations stall, your attorney will prepare to take the case to court. This looming threat of expensive litigation often leads to better settlement offers from insurers.
Recovering from injuries is stressful enough. Knowing a professional is handling your case allows you to focus on healing, family, and getting back on your feet.
Steps to Take After a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident
If you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation, here are some recommended steps:
- Call 911,
- Seek medical treatment,
- Exchange information with all parties,
- Document the scene with photographs if you are physically able,
- Notify your insurance, and
- Consult a New York motorcycle accident lawyer.
Be cautious what you say at the accident scene or when speaking with an insurance company. Protecting your rights is important, which is why we recommend reaching out to a lawyer right away.
How Greenspan & Greenspan Can Help You
Choosing the right law firm is critical to help fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life. At Greenspan & Greenspan, we’ve advocated for injured New Yorkers since 1959. We offer:
- Decades of local experience. We understand the nuances of New York traffic law and how local courts handle accident liability.
- Client-centered approach. We take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and tailor our strategies to your specific needs.
- Proven track record. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured clients over the years. Insurance companies know we won’t back down when it comes to securing fair compensation.
- Personalized legal strategies. No two motorcycle accident cases are the same. We tailor our approach based on the specifics of your case.
Communication is key. We will keep you informed at every stage of the process so you’re not left wondering what’s happening with your case.
Contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers
A left-turn motorcycle accident can leave you feeling shaken, injured, and uncertain about the future. You don’t have to face the claims process alone. At Greenspan & Greenspan, we stand ready to help you hold negligent drivers accountable.
Reach out today and discover how a New York motorcycle accident lawyer can make a difference in your recovery and future.
