Who is at Fault in a Left-Turn Car Accident in Massachusetts?

Left-turn accidents are a very common type of car crash that occurs in Massachusetts. After such accidents, victims may wonder who is at fault. Determining fault is necessary to recover monetary damages in a car accident lawsuit.

The driver whose negligent actions led to the crash is the one that courts can hold at fault in a left-turn car accident in Massachusetts. There are multiple types of careless behavior exhibited by at-fault drivers. Such careless behavior can be demonstrated through several types of evidence.

If you were injured because of a left-turn car accident in Massachusetts, get help recovering the compensation available to you. Contact our experienced Boston car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.

Identifying the At-Fault Driver in a Left-Turn Car Accident in Massachusetts

Victims of left-turn car accidents can identify at-fault drivers through their careless behavior. The following are common types of negligent actions exhibited by at-fault drivers in left-turn car accidents in Massachusetts:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a very common cause of left-turn car accidents in Massachusetts. The three types of distraction that can occur are visual, manual, and cognitive distraction. The following are activities that regularly distract drivers in Massachusetts:

  • Texting
  • Scrolling social media on a mobile phone
  • Eating or drinking
  • Talking on a cell phone
  • Talking to another passenger
  • Entering information into a GPS

Some activities, such as texting, involve all three types of distraction. When making left turns, distracted drivers will have difficulty noticing vehicles travelling towards them. Accordingly, distracted drivers are often at fault for left-turn car accidents in Massachusetts. Victims can contact our experienced Somerville car accident lawyers for help recovering compensation after crashes caused by distracted drivers.

Running Red Lights

Drivers owe a duty to obey traffic laws when travelling on public roadways. Accordingly, under M.G.L. Chapter 89 § 9, drivers that run red lights may be considered at fault for left-turn car accidents. Drivers who run red lights run the risk of causing head-on collisions with oncoming traffic when attempting left turns. Head on collisions are a particularly severe type of accident that can cause devastating injuries. Victims of left-turn accidents caused by drivers who ran red lights can contact our Massachusetts car accidents lawyers for guidance on their road to recovery.

Speeding

Furthermore, drivers who operate their vehicles at excessive speeds may be also held at fault for left-turn car accidents in Massachusetts. Speeding motorists will be unable to properly react to vehicles and hazards on the roadway. For example, a speeding driver may misjudge the distance to a vehicle travelling towards them when attempting a left turn on a two-lane road. Accordingly, victims of left-turn accidents may be able to identify the speeding driver as the one who is at fault.

Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers can also be considered at fault for left-turn car accidents. Drunk drivers will have impaired vision and poor decision-making abilities. Accordingly, many drunk drivers may veer out of their lane or fail to yield the right of way when making left turns. Victims of left turn accidents can identify the drunk driver as the one who is at fault. Our Saugus car accident lawyers can offer support to victims when seeking monetary damages.

Tailgating

Additionally, tailgating drivers are often at fault for left-turn car crashes in Massachusetts. Tailgating refers to the practice of following too closely behind the car in front of you. Many motorists slow down when making turns. Accordingly, when a driver tailgates another vehicle during a left turn, they may be unable to react on-time if the car in front of them slows down. Victims of left-turn car accidents can contact our Massachusetts car accident lawyers for help building cases against tailgating drivers.

Failing to Use Turn Signals

Lastly, failing to use turn signals is also another sign of who is at fault for a left-turn car accident. Drivers must use their signals to indicate when they are making a left-turn. When drivers do not use turn signals, serious crashes can occur. Injured motorists and pedestrians may be entitled to compensation after left-turn car accidents caused by drivers who did not use their turn signals.

Evidence Used to Identify Who is at Fault in a Left-Turn Car Accident in Massachusetts

There are many forms of evidence that can help victims identify at-fault drivers after left-turn car accidents. However, recovering such evidence can be difficult. Our experienced Wakefield car accident lawyers can help recover the following evidence used to identify the at-fault driver in your case:

Officer’s Accident Reports

After each accident, a police officer should visit the scene to draft an accident report. The report may contain observations from the accident scene as well as statements from drivers regarding how a crash occurred. Accordingly, these reports can be helpful when identifying who is at fault for a left-turn car accident in Massachusetts.

Traffic Camera Footage

Traffic camera footage is another type of evidence that can be highly beneficial when identifying an at-fault driver. Traffic cameras are situated at most busy intersections. Footage from these cameras can help identify who is at fault by showing which driver caused a left-turn accident. However, obtaining traffic camera footage can be difficult. Our Cambridge car accident lawyers can help gather the traffic camera footage required identify an at-fault driver in your case.

Witness Testimony

Additionally, witness testimony can be valuable when identifying the at-fault driver in a left-turn car accident. Like traffic camera footage, witnesses can help explain the events that unfolded before, during, and after an accident. Accordingly, if you suffered a left-turn accident in Massachusetts, you should attempt to recover contact information for any witnesses to your crash if possible.

If You Were Injured Because of a Left-Turn Car Accident in Massachusetts, Our Lawyers Can Help

If you were injured because of a left-turn car accident in Massachusetts, seek assistance from our experienced Malden car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.