Maison Law supports victims injured in left-turn motorcycle accidents. If you or a loved one are suffering from injuries you received in a left-turn motorcycle accident, the experienced attorneys at Maison Law are here to help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident in California?
Unsafe left turns are covered by California Vehicle Law. According to California Vehicle Code 21801 (a), the driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left to complete a U-turn shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, that are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
If you are involved in a left-turn motorcycle accident due to a vehicle making an unsafe left turn, it is advisable to seek the counsel of an accident attorney. One of the initial steps of recovering damages from your accident will be to prove the other driver committed an illegal left turn. An attorney can help you prove this by conducting a formal investigation. An attorney’s investigation includes collecting evidence such as:
- Police accident reports
- Taking witness statements
- Retrieving traffic footage
- Collecting camera footage from surrounding businesses or neighborhoods where the accident occurred
Other forms of proof can come from legal processes, which an attorney will conduct against the liable parties. These processes include:
- Interrogatories
- Depositions
- Discovery
Common Causes of Unsafe Left-Hand Turns
According to a study performed by the National Technical Information Services, 75% of motorcycle accidents involve motorcyclists colliding with another vehicle with 42% of motorcycle accidents being due to unsafe left-hand turns. Even though these accidents often happen at low speeds, most impacts involving motorcyclists have fatal results. The most common causes of left-turn motorcycle accidents include:
- A motorist overtook the motorcyclist and made an unexpected left turn
- A vehicle taking a left out of a street or driveway without looking or being aware of an approaching motorcyclist
- A driver who goes straight through a yellow or green light while turning left without yielding to a motorcyclist
- A driver failing to check their blind spot before committing a left turn and colliding with a motorcyclist next to them
Common Injuries from Unsafe Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
The unfortunate reality of riding a motorcycle is the limited protection offered to riders. While wearing a helmet can offer some form of protection, most rider’s neck, limbs, and torso are exposed. In a left-turn motorcycle accident, cyclists are usually thrown from their bikes, resulting in severe injuries. The most common injuries sustained by motorcyclists involved in these types of accidents include:
- Road rash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Foot and leg injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Hand and arm injuries
- Rib injuries
- Burns
- Muscle and joint injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
In a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, among helmeted motorcyclists, a substantial portion of fatalities involved serious chest and abdominal trauma. Rib fractures were among the most common of severe injuries for all motorcyclists.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident?
There is no set dollar amount for the trauma and pain experienced by motorcycle accident victims. However, an experienced accident attorney will help you understand the value of your case by calculating your economic damages (such as lost wages and medical bills) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety). These damages combined include:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
In most cases, the more severe your injuries and the longer they impact your life, the greater your compensation will be.
Contact a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one have been injured in a left-turn motorcycle accident in California, the accident attorneys at Maison Law are standing by to help you get the legal and medical help you need. Even a minor accident can have a major impact on your health and finances over time, so don’t wait until it’s too late to get the legal advice you need. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront costs for our legal services and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
