The beginning rule of thumb in intersection accidents is that the person making the left-hand turn was at fault. Tennessee traffic laws require that the car making the left-hand turn wait for oncoming cars to proceed straight through the intersection before they start their turn. We know how frustrating this can be. If you want to make a left-hand turn and there’s a steady stream of traffic coming, you may have to wait for the light to change colors several times before the intersection is clear enough.

If you were hurt by a car making a left-hand turn, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and car damage.

But what if you were the one making the left-hand turn? Can you ever recover damages from another driver in that scenario? In some cases, the answer is yes. Here are some of the ways a Nashville car crash lawyer argues the left-hand turning driver was not the one at fault.

• There was a left-hand turn signal, which gave you the right of way over the driver who was going straight—since the other driver’s light was red.
• The driver who struck you from the oncoming lanes was going faster than the speed limit.
• The oncoming driver waived you through and then changed his mind and drove through the intersection.
• The other driver was also making a left-hand turn but took it too widely and struck your car.
• A driver from the right ran a red light and struck you while you were legitimately turning.

How is a left-hand turn accident investigated?

Fault in a left-hand car wreck case can be determined  by:

• Police report. The starting point for most every accident case is the police investigation. When the police are called to the scene of the accident, they will examine the lanes of travel, the traffic signals, where the damage to the cars is, and the statements of the drivers and witnesses. Exactly where the damage to the vehicles occurred is often key to showing why a left-hand car collision
• Cameras at the intersections. Nowadays, many intersections in Nashville and other parts of Tennessee have cameras that show exactly what happened. For example, the cameras can show if one driver ran through a stop sign or through a red light.
• An accident reconstruction expert. This professional will look at much more information than the police officer. He/she may look at the sequences of the traffic light and typical traffic patterns at that intersection. The likely speed of the vehicles before, during, and after the crash will be analyzed. Skid marks and other physical evidence will be studied. The expert may even use computer graphics to show what happened.

Learn if you have a Tennessee car crash case by calling the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm. Our Gladiators in Suits are experienced trial lawyers who leave no stone unturned to help prove liability when someone else caused your pain. We have aggressive lawyers ready to help you get justice in Nashville, Gallatin, and Knoxville. For help now, please call us at 615-246-5549 or complete our contact form to schedule a free appointment.