With street signs, lights, and a standard flow of traffic, the last thing one imagines is being involved in a car accident from an improper turn. Accidents lead to painful and costly consequences, including weeks of possible medical appointments and the heavy cost of repairs to your car.
Fighting insurance companies and negligent parties and simultaneously doing what is needed to heal from injuries does not have to be your future. Reach out to a Bridgeport improper turns accident lawyer as soon as possible, and let them show you how they will work to get you the compensation your case deserves.
At Bert McDowell Injury Law, our experienced Bridgeport personal injury lawyers are ready to show you how we can help. Contact us today and schedule your initial case review with a member of our team. You can reach our office at (203) 590-9169 or online through our form.
How a Bridgeport Improper Turns Accident Attorney Helps You
A negligent driver making an improper turn may cause a car accident that can have devastating consequences for drivers and pedestrians alike. Several factors can contribute to a crash, such as failing to signal before turning, taking turns too quickly or sharply, or turning into the wrong lane.
In the aftermath of a crash, the victims are left with physical injuries that require extensive medical care, possible surgeries, and physical therapies. It will not be a surprise when they begin to receive medical bills in the mail and calls from collection agencies when they cannot pay.
When they reach out to the other party’s insurance to seek compensation for their unforeseen expenses, they receive notice of a lowball off — if they receive an offer of payment at all.
When you hire an improper turns accident attorney, you are giving yourself the chance to receive the compensation your case deserves. Attorneys who are experts in cases like yours know what it takes to tackle reluctant insurance companies and negligent parties and when to use the law in the courts to get what your claim is entitled to.
You can expect that your attorney will provide:
Representation throughout your case
Accurate valuation of all damages suffered
Industry knowledge and resources
The capacity to review evidence and construct a solid claim
The ability to negotiate on your behalf
The grit to fight for your case in court
What Are Improper Turns?
An improper turn is when a driver moves their vehicle in an unsafe way that interferes with traffic or is prohibited by road signs. Chapter 248, Sections 14-241 and 14-242, identify improper turns as:
A right turn made without being as close as possible to the right-hand curb
A left turn from an improper turning lane
A left turn made in a one-way road and blocking oncoming traffic
A turn made when entering or leaving a highway from the wrong lane
A turn is made when the driver ignores Office of the State Traffic Administration officials with personnel or signs giving specific directions
Causes of Improper Turns
Road rules are placed for everyone’s safety. Making improper turns, regardless of the cause, can have serious consequences and potentially lead to deadly results.
Improper turns while driving can stem from various factors:
Distracted Driving
Distractions on the road, like texting, phone calls, or engaging in conversations, can divert a driver’s attention, leading to turns without a second thought of their surroundings.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence (DUI) will have severe impacts on a driver’s ability to make decisions and use their sense appropriately. Dulled senses increase the likelihood of improper turns and pose a risk to everyone on the road.
Reckless Driving
Reckless drivers move quickly, without signals, and aggressively as they approach a turn, not giving others time to stop or hit pedestrians as they carelessly leave an intersection.
Types of Improper Turns Made by Drivers
There are multiple types of improper turns a driver makes that result in an accident. An improper turn happens when drivers make restricted turns, turn without using a signal, make illegal U-Turns, left turns, and right turns, and do not follow proper traffic laws when sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters.
Restricted Turns
Local governments decide to restrict turns when they account for the traffic volume, limited visibility, or pedestrian traffic in the right of way. As a result, drivers cannot legally make turns where signs prohibit the action.
This road rule applies to U-turns, left turns, and right turns.
Turn Signals
Drivers should always use turn signals when switching lanes or turning in another direction. Every vehicle must have functional turn signals to be legally driven.
Using signals promotes roadway safety and gives drivers ample time to stop and turn safely. Drivers must ensure that their cars are ready for a right turn by staying in their lane, ensuring that turns are made legally from that lane, and slowing down as they approach an intersection.
If a driver intends to turn left or right, it is necessary to signal continuously for at least the last hundred feet before turning. In addition, it is prohibited to stop or significantly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first providing a signal.
U-Turns
U-turns are only permitted when a sign is posted, allowing the turn to happen. When completing a U-turn, it is important to note that oncoming traffic typically has a right-of-way, and the party making the turn must wait until it is safe to move.
Left and Right Turns
When a driver plans to make a left turn at an intersection, alley, private road, or driveway, notifying the surrounding traffic of the intended turn is critical to give them adequate time to stop. Drivers must abide by signs posted right away as they may restrict or prevent particular turns, given the volume of cars at that given time of day.
Passing Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, and Electric Scooters
When sharing the road with someone on a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric foot scooter heading in the same direction, it’s the law to exercise caution as you share the road. Connecticut requires drivers to give a 3-foot clearance to cyclists for their safety while sharing the right of way.
Drivers who make turns should ensure the cyclist’s safety before crossing a bike lane. A bicycle accident caused by an improper turn can have catastrophic results.
An accident involving a cyclist is similar to a pedestrian’s, where they will not have the protection of a car or seatbelt to prevent injuries.
Damages Associated With Improper Turn Accidents
Seeing another driver turn into you becomes more than just a minor inconvenience. It becomes an outright nightmare. The crash creates multiple losses that vary in degree, unique to the circumstances of the accident.
These losses may include:
Medical costs — Hospitals, medical treatments, medicine, and physical therapy come with a high cost. The party at fault’s liability policy should step in to cover these expenses. Unpaid medical bills are known to bankrupt families and create financial insecurities for their dependents.
Lost wages — Compensation for lost income because of time off from work. Some victims run out of paid time off quickly, resulting in using FMLA, which is limited to 12 weeks and unpaid. Likewise, lost wages will cover any future financial impacts like loss of promotions or the ability to work in their field altogether.
Pain and Suffering — Compensation for the physical and emotional harm caused by the accident, like depression, anxiety, and PTSD that results from being in a life-threatening situation.
Property damage — Covering the cost of repairing or replacing a car or personal property damaged in an accident. A car crash may require a rental or a new car if the current one is totaled.
Common Injuries From Improper Turns
Improper turns may result in various injuries that impact an individual’s well-being, requiring immediate medical attention, surgery, and treatments. If some of these injuries are left untreated, they may lead to deadly consequences:
Head Injuries — Victims who hit their head against the wall of the car or steering wheel may experience head injuries ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Cuts and Bruises — Improper turns can cause collisions with other vehicles, airbag deployment, or harm to pedestrians and cyclists, resulting in cuts and bruises.
Whiplash — A common injury causing neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
Back Injuries — Impact from a collision can damage the spine, causing injuries from muscle strains to severe conditions like herniated discs.
Broken Bones — Accidents may lead to fractures in arms, legs, or ribs, requiring medical attention for proper healing.
Internal Injuries — Blunt force trauma can result in injuries to internal organs, which require immediate medical attention. In such cases, seeking medical help as soon as possible is critical.
Hire a Dedicated Bridgeport Improper Turns Accident Law Firm Today
In accidents caused by improper turns, the consequences can be physically and legally brutal. Seeking guidance from a reliable and knowledgeable attorney becomes crucial as you navigate the aftermath of the crash.
Our dedicated team, specializing in handling cases related to improper turn accidents, is committed to providing expert guidance as you jump through the legal hoops before settling your claim. If you were involved in an accident due to improper turns, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Bert McDowell Injury Law offers the necessary legal counsel and strategy to secure compensation for your case. Contact us today at (203) 590-9169 or visit our website to schedule your free case review and get started.
(203) 690-1030
(203) 690-1030
With street signs, lights, and a standard flow of traffic, the last thing one imagines is being involved in a car accident from an improper turn. Accidents lead to painful and costly consequences, including weeks of possible medical appointments and the heavy cost of repairs to your car.