Who Is Liable for a Left Turn Car Accident in Ohio

Of all traffic maneuvers, left turns are considered among the most dangerous. Because of this, left-turn accidents are a common occurrence. Left turn accidents happen when a vehicle tries turning left at a roadway or intersection and collides with another car. Determining liability in a left-turn car accident is not as straightforward as you might think. It is not as simple as saying that the driver who was making the left turn is responsible for the accident. Indeed, often, the driver who was making the left turn is the one at fault for the accident. However, this is not always true. Contact a qualified car accident attorney if you were involved in a left turn accident that caused you injuries. An attorney can assess your case and help you determine fault.

Who Is Labile in a Left Turn Accident?

Every car accident is unique. However, under Ohio law, after a left turn accident, it is generally presumed that the driver who was turning left is at fault. In Ohio, the driver attempting to make the left turn is required to yield to oncoming vehicles that have the right of way. In most cases, failure to yield is the reason for left-turn collisions. Drivers must wait until there is no oncoming traffic or it is safe enough to turn left. If a driver makes a left turn while there is oncoming traffic, they may misjudge the speed at which the vehicles are traveling, resulting in an accident.

However, sometimes liability does not fall only on the left-turning driver. There are times when the other driver may share responsibility for the accident. For example, if the other driver was speeding or engaging in distracted driving or ran a red light, they could share partial or full fault for the accident.

Comparative Negligence in Ohio

Under the comparative negligence rule, when more than one party is responsible for an accident, each party is assigned a percentage of fault. Ohio follows the modified comparative negligence law. Under the state’s rule, an injured party can still recover compensation if a jury finds them to be  less than 50% responsible for their injury. However, if a party is found to be partially responsible for his or her injuries, the compensation will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault. For instance, if you are in a left turn accident and are found to be 30% at fault for the accident, you would recover 70% of your damages.

Documents and Evidence in Left Turn Accidents

Evidence is vital when determining fault in a left-turn car accident. Collecting evidence that clearly demonstrates which party caused the accident is crucial. Some evidence that can help prove liability in an Ohio left turn car accident case include;

• Pictures and videos taken at the accident scene
• Eyewitness statements
• Surveillance footage
• The police report
• Expert testimony

A skilled attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to build a strong case.

Contact a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a left turn accident in Ohio, contact our qualified Columbus car accident attorneys at the law firm of Brian G. Miller CO., LLC We understand the complexities involved in left-turn accident cases and can help you build a strong case.

Source:

codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2315.33