A left-turn accident can be a major disaster that leaves you with painful injuries and costly expenses. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to recover the financial compensation you deserve for this type of crash under Minnesota’s car accident laws.
The Minneapolis car accident attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC are here to guide you through the claims process and help you truly understand your legal rights. Our team of Minnesota personal injury lawyers has been committed to helping automobile accident victims since 1986. Learn how we can help you during a no-cost initial consultation in Minneapolis.
Why Choose the Minneapolis Lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC?
- We will do what it takes to fight for your rights as a left-turn accident victim. Our drive comes from the desire to genuinely help those who need it most.
- We care about our clients. Our lawyers are here not only to advocate for you during car insurance settlement negotiations but to give you peace of mind throughout your case.
- We have a long history of achieving exceptional case outcomes for our clients, including a $5 million truck accident settlement and $1.8 million motorcycle accident settlement.
- We are affordable. You won’t pay us anything to handle your left-turn accident case in Minneapolis unless it results in financial compensation for your losses.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Left-Turn Accident?
If you get hurt in a car accident in Minneapolis and file an auto insurance claim, you need to be cautious about what you say to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case. Insurance companies want to protect themselves most of all. Before you accept a settlement or sign anything, it is important to consult with a local car accident attorney.
A lawyer will work for you and only you. You can fully trust your lawyer to act in your best interest. An attorney can investigate your left-turn accident, determine who is at fault, collect evidence proving your case and take care of settlement negotiations for you. If necessary, a law firm can hire experts to testify or take your case to court with a team of litigators in the pursuit of justice.
Most importantly, a lawyer can give you more mental peace in this difficult time. Having a skilled team of attorneys handle your car accident case means you have the freedom to concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery while someone else is fighting for your financial one.
Why Do Left-Turn Accidents Happen?
A left-turn accident is a type of motor vehicle collision that occurs when a driver tries to make a left-hand turn but fails to do so safely. In many cases, these accidents take place because the driver turning left fails to keep a proper lookout or yield to oncoming traffic.
A driver in Minneapolis might make an unsafe left turn and cause an accident for many reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running a red light
- Lack of headlight use
- Poor roadway visibility
Driver negligence or lack of care is the number one cause of left-turn accidents in Minnesota. However, sometimes these types of crashes are traced back to other issues, such as faulty traffic signals or unsafe road conditions. Our lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC can help you identify the correct defendant(s) for your injury claim.
Who Is at Fault in a Left-Hand Turn Car Accident?
In Minnesota, drivers turning left at an intersection must “yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard” (Minnesota Statutes §169.20).
The driver making the left-hand turn has the responsibility to yield to oncoming traffic. Therefore, the turning driver is often the one found liable or financially responsible for these collisions in Minneapolis.
However, Minnesota is a no-fault state. This means that as a victim, you will seek financial compensation from your own insurance provider (personal injury protection insurance) regardless of who caused your left-turn accident. The only exception is if your injuries are severe.
If your medical expenses connected to the left-turn accident equal $4,000 or more in value or if your injuries will result in long-term disability or disfigurement, you may have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver. This could result in greater financial compensation to cover your losses.
Common Injuries From Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn accidents often take the form of side-impact (T-bone) collisions. The T-bone is one of the most severe types of automobile accidents. Left-turn accidents may also involve vulnerable road users such as bicyclists or pedestrians.
Common injuries reported from left-turn accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disk herniation
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations and scarring
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Losses of limb (amputation injuries)
A left-turn accident victim in Minneapolis should seek immediate emergency medical care. Many injuries, including serious injuries, have hidden and delayed symptoms. Prompt medical care ensures that all of your injuries are promptly diagnosed and treated.
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available to Crash Victims?
A personal injury protection claim through your own insurer could end in financial compensation for your medical bills and partial lost wages without you having to prove that the other driver is at fault. If you have grounds to bring a claim against an at-fault party, however, you may be eligible for greater damages.
Available types of compensation can include:
- Present and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Disability costs and accommodations
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional injuries
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
No matter what type of claim you have after a left-turn accident in Minneapolis, Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC can work hard to maximize your financial recovery. This includes navigating Minnesota’s comparative negligence law, which could reduce your financial recovery if you are found to share fault for the crash.
Contact Our Experienced Minneapolis Car Accident Attorneys for Help Today
A left-turn accident can be a devastating collision that inflicts serious injuries on you or takes the life of a loved one. If you were recently involved in this type of crash in Minneapolis or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for assistance.
We offer free initial case reviews, where you can get free legal advice by speaking directly to one of our knowledgeable and compassionate car accident lawyers. Call our local line at (612) 333-4662 anytime for more information.