Were you injured in a car accident in Clearwater, Florida that occurred while a vehicle was making a left turn? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers is the first law firm in Clearwater to dedicate its practice to personal injury law. Since 1955, we’ve been helping injured victims like you receive the money they need after suffering accidents due to someone else’s carelessness. Our Clearwater left-turn accident lawyers have more than 300 years of experience handling tough cases.
We’ve recovered over $675 million in life-changing awards for clients when they needed it most. Contact our Clearwater, Florida law office today for a free case evaluation at (727) 796-8282 to learn how we can help.
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How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Left-Turn Accident in Clearwater, FL
Recovering from an accident is financially, physically, and emotionally exhausting. Let us fight for you while you take the time you need to rest. With distinctions such as a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers, our legal team brings award-winning experience to the fight for your maximum financial award.
When you hire our Clearwater car accident attorneys, we’ll:
- Fully investigate your accident to determine the cause and identify all potentially liable parties
- Collect evidence – such as witness statements, video footage, or physical evidence from the accident scene – to support your claim for damages
- Handle all communications with the insurance company and protect you from unfair blame
- Negotiate for a settlement that includes all recoverable damages
- Send a top-rated trial attorney to fight for you in court if the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement
We are always prepared to take a case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the justice and financial award that you are due. We’re dedicated advocates and will fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
Call now for your initial consultation with one of our Clearwater left-turn accident attorneys – it’s completely free.
What Makes Left Turns So Dangerous In Clearwater, FL?
Left turns are a factor in almost ten times more crashes than right turns. Blinking yellow lights are often added at intersections to help reduce congestion. However, enticing drivers to inch out into the middle of an already busy intersection and attempt to dart across oncoming traffic can cause more accidents.
Turning Across Traffic Is Risky
Any time you have to cross a lane of traffic, you must yield to oncoming traffic. Unlike when you see cars pass you on the highway, it’s often hard to judge the speed of oncoming traffic. You’ll probably assume that oncoming traffic is going the speed limit, but that’s just a guess. Unlike when making a right turn, you often have to come to a complete stop before making your turn. Judging how much time you have to get across is risky and nerve-wracking.
Left Turns Require More Thought and Skill
There’s a lot going on in a left turn. In addition to watching for oncoming traffic, you also often have to watch for pedestrians and cyclists who may be crossing in the lane of traffic you’ll enter once you complete your turn. Often needing to zoom across traffic, you could end up approaching someone in a crosswalk at an unsafe speed.
If you’re at a traffic light, you also have to decide whether to creep into the intersection to make your turn. You risk getting stuck in the middle when the light turns red.
Risk of Rear-End Collisions
In addition to the risk created from going from a dead stop to a speed fast enough to make it across sometimes multiple lanes of oncoming traffic, left-turning vehicles are at risk of being in a rear-end collision. Whether you’ve stopped in a lane of active traffic or a dedicated turn lane, a distracted driver could crash into you from behind.
Risk of Head-On Collisions
Some roads have a shared middle turn lane, which presents an additional risk of a head-on crash when oncoming traffic enters the turn lane. Plus, facing oncoming traffic is always a risk. Your front end could be inadvertently sticking out into the path of oncoming traffic.
What would otherwise be a fender-bender could be catastrophic if hit by another vehicle traveling at highway speed. Oncoming traffic that drifts even slightly into your path could cause disaster.
Other common auto accidents in Clearwater include:
- Highway Crashes
- Lane Change Crashes
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Multi-vehicle Collisions
- Single Vehicle Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Road Defects Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- U-turn Accidents
What Types of Damages Are Available to Left-Turn Accident Victims In Clearwater, FL?
There are typically two types of damages available in a personal injury lawsuit.
Economic damages cover your financial expenses caused by the accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Other out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages cover the indirect, emotional costs of an accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- PTSD
- Disfigurement or scarring
Even if you’re partially to blame for the left-turn accident, you can potentially still recover damages for your injuries. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault rules, your damages will be reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 40% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 40%. However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation from the at-fault party or their insurer.
Insurance companies and other parties will try to pin as much blame on you as possible. A skilled Clearwater car accident attorney will fight back and maximize your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Auto Accident Lawyer in Clearwater, FL
Were you hurt in a left-turn accident in Pinellas County? You shouldn’t have to suffer the financial consequences on top of your physical injuries. Let our Clearwater left-turn accident lawyers stand up for you. Tampa Bay residents have counted on us for more than six decades. You can trust us to give your case the immediate and dedicated attention it deserves.
Call today for a free consultation – there is no obligation and no risk to you, so call now.
