Making a left-hand turn in Albuquerque can be dangerous, as the driver must cut across oncoming traffic. If a driver is not cautious, he or she could make the turn too close to a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. This can result in catastrophic accidents, such as head-on and T-bone collisions. Learn your legal rights after a left-turn accident in Albuquerque.
Hiring an experienced Albuquerque, NM car accident attorney can help you overcome challenges during your case.An attorney can conduct a thorough crash investigation, determine fault, collect evidence on your behalf and take over communications with a car insurance company while you focus on healing.
What Is a Left-Turn Accident?
A left-turn accident describes a motor vehicle collision where one of the drivers is attempting to turn left at the time of a crash. It can be a collision between a motor vehicle turning left and another vehicle, or a crash involving the turning driver and a bicyclist or pedestrian who was crossing the adjacent street.
Left turns in Albuquerque are dangerous because the driver turning left must gauge when it is safe to cut across one or multiple lanes of oncoming traffic. Some intersections in the city offer left turn arrows, but others leave it up to the driver to make the turn when it is safe to do so.
Common Types of Left-Turn Accidents
Making a left turn in Albuquerque has the potential to turn into a serious collision if a driver isn’t careful. These crashes are often catastrophic, meaning they inflict severe and life-changing injuries on those involved.
Common types of left-turn accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone or side-impact collisions
- A vehicle striking a pedestrian
- Cyclist accidents in crosswalks
The severity of these accidents can be attributed to speed and the point of impact on both vehicles. The injuries suffered by victims can include multiple bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, lacerations and fatal injuries.
Who Is at Fault in a Left-Turn Accident in Albuquerque?
State law places the responsibility to prevent a car accident on the driver making the left-hand turn. New Mexico Statutes § 66-7-329 states that a driver intending to turn left at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is already within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
A turning driver could be guilty of many careless and reckless acts that ultimately result in a left-turn accident, including:
- Speeding
- Failing to keep a proper lookout (distracted driving)
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving drowsy
- Misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming cars
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Aggressive driving or road rage
Note, however, that a driver turning left does not bear automatic liability for an accident. If an investigation shows that the driver was within his or her rights and making a safe turn, the other driver may be at fault for entering the intersection illegally. Some of these cases use the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, where both drivers share fault.
The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Left-turn accident cases in New Mexico can be difficult to navigate as an injured crash victim. An insurance company may try to blame you in part or wholly for the accident, making it difficult to receive the financial compensation you need to move forward. To learn more about how an attorney can help with your particular left-turn accident case, contact The Fine Law Firm for a free consultation in Albuquerque.