Louisville Motorcycle Riders Are at High Risk of Injury in a Left-Turn Crash in KY

Motorcycle riders are well aware of the threat that inconsiderate drivers pose on the road. One of the most dangerous situations for bikers is when an oncoming vehicle makes a left turn in front of them, placing them at risk of devastating injuries. If you or someone you love suffered a left-turn crash, you should speak to our experienced Louisville motorcycle injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.

A Left-Turn Crash Can Be Deadly for Lousiville Motorcycle Riders

Left turns at intersections are far more dangerous than right turns for several reasons. Drivers turning right travel a shorter distance, scan a smaller field of vision, and do not have to cross paths with oncoming traffic. The increased crash risk should make drivers more cautious before completing a left turn, but this is rarely the case.

According to our Lousiville motorcycle accident lawyer, a left-turn crash motorcycle accidents occur when:

• A driver turns left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle that has the right of way.
• A driver turns left into the path of a motorcyclist turning right on the opposite corner.
• A driver disregards a red light or stop sign and turns across an intersection into the path of a motorcycle.
• A driver turns left in front of two lanes of oncoming traffic, but only one lane is clearly visible (such as a large truck obscuring an adjacent motorcyclist).

Common Causes of Left-Turn Crashes

These motorcycle accidents are almost always the driver’s fault, although bikers can share some liability. Drivers may cause a left-turn crash in Louisville due to the following:

• Not “seeing” a biker. Drivers often claim not to have “seen” the biker until it was too late or that the motorcyclist “came out of nowhere.” While the driver might not have noticed the biker, it could be because they failed to check the intersection, their blind spots, or the corner before turning.
• Speeding. A driver who is street racing, driving too fast for conditions, or exceeding the posted speed limit has little time to scan the opposite lanes of traffic for motorcyclists.
• Impaired driving. Drunk drivers have longer reaction times, are less aware of their surroundings, and take more risks than sober drivers.
• Poor judgment. The driver might see an oncoming motorcycle but misjudge the rider’s distance or speed, thinking they can “beat” the biker across the intersection. This typically results in a side-impact crash for the driver, but the biker suffers a head-on collision.
• Distracted driving. A driver may be texting, talking on a cellphone, distracted by passengers, or even eating or drinking while attempting a left turn.
• Low visibility. In some cases, a driver’s inability to see a biker is caused by preventable factors, such as poor weather, riding in the dark, road obstructions, sharp bends in the road, or blind spots. A third party—such as the manufacturer of the car or the road designer—could be liable for visibility problems that led to the left-hand turn crash.

Let Our Louisville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You Through This Difficult Time

Airbags and steel frames protect drivers and passengers, but bikers have little protection from the force and speed of a crash. Left-turn collisions typically result in severe or fatal injuries for motorcyclists, and bikers’ families could be owed significant compensation for their losses.

Our motorcycle accident attorney in Louisville, KY, knows that injuries need to heal, and families need to grieve after a life-changing accident. While your loved ones should be your priority, insurance companies will work quickly and diligently to deny you the compensation you are owed. Our attorneys can protect your legal rights while you take care of your loved ones, getting you the support you need for past hospital bills, future medical care, lost income, and more.

The dedicated attorneys at Gray and White Law proudly offer a No-Fee Policy to all injury victims. Instead of hourly legal fees, we will only be paid if your claim is successful. Please get in touch with our Louisville motorcycle crash lawyer today or call 1(888) 450-4456 to schedule a free case consultation or learn more in our complimentary guide, The Ultimate Kentucky Car Accident Guide: What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know.

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