How Left Turn Accidents Put Motorcycle Riders at Risk
Key Takeaways: Left turn accidents are among the most dangerous collisions for motorcycle riders because drivers often fail to see or properly judge an oncoming bike, leading to severe injuries. Common outcomes include traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and long-term financial burdens from medical costs and lost wages. Riders can reduce risk through visibility and defensive riding, but legal representation is often critical to secure fair compensation after a crash.
While long rides on Colorado’s mountain roads may be the most enjoyable way to spend time on your bike, it’s not the only way to ride a motorcycle. Many riders also use their motorcycle to get around town, and the safety concerns associated with city riding are a little different than they are on open highways.
Riding a motorcycle on city streets requires vigilance at every intersection. Unfortunately, one of the most common and dangerous scenarios occurs when another driver makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. When a left turn accident occurs, it can cause catastrophic injuries because riders have little protection compared to drivers inside vehicles. Understanding why left turn accidents happen, the risks they pose, and what you should know to protect your rights after a motorcycle accident will help you stay safe on the road and prevent mistakes that can jeopardize your compensation in a future lawsuit.
Why Left Turn Accidents Are So Common
When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic, they must correctly judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. Unfortunately, drivers often fail to notice or properly evaluate motorcycles for several reasons:
- Smaller Vehicle Profile – Motorcycles are harder to see than cars or trucks, especially if they are located in a driver’s peripheral vision.
- Misjudged Speed and Distance – Drivers may underestimate how fast a motorcycle is approaching.
- Distracted Driving – Phones, in-car systems, or simply looking for larger vehicles can cause drivers to overlook motorcycles.
- Obstructed View – Poor lighting, blind spots, and other vehicles in an oncoming left turn lane can make motorcycles less visible.
The combination of limited visibility and driver inattention creates a dangerous scenario that puts motorcyclists in harm’s way when other drivers are making a left turn.
The Physics of Impact: Why Motorcyclists Suffer Severe Injuries
When a left-turning car collides with a motorcycle, the rider almost always takes the brunt of the impact. Unlike cars, motorcycles lack the protective shell of seatbelts, airbags, or reinforced frames. Even at relatively low speeds, these motorcycle accidents can throw riders from their bikes and cause severe injuries.
Common injuries after a left-turn accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Even with a helmet, the force of impact can cause a serious brain injury.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – These collisions can cause serious spinal cord injuries that result in long-term mobility limitations and in severe cases, paralysis.
- Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries – Broken legs, arms, and ribs are common due to trauma from a direct impact or being thrown onto the pavement.
- Internal Injuries – Organ damage or internal bleeding may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening.
- Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries – Skin abrasions, lacerations, muscle damage and road rash can occur from sliding across asphalt.
These injuries often lead to long hospital stays, ongoing rehabilitation, lost income, and permanent lifestyle changes.
Fault and Liability in Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents
In most cases, the driver turning left is found at fault because traffic laws require them to yield to oncoming vehicles. However, insurance companies may try to reduce your compensation by arguing that you shared fault in some way. This is why documenting the crash and working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is so important.
Key legal factors impacting your ability to prove the other driver was at fault include:
- Traffic Signal Compliance – Did you have the right of way and obey all posted traffic signals?
- Witness Statements – Are there any witnesses who can confirm that the car turned in front of your motorcycle to cause the accident?
- Police Reports – Police officers often indicate who they believe was at fault in their initial report, making it critical to always request that an officer come to the accident scene.
- Accident Reconstruction – Experts can analyze skid marks, vehicle positions and impact points to determine who was at fault.
- Comparative Negligence Laws – Colorado applies comparative negligence laws to motorcycle accident cases. This means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident and if you’re deemed to be more than 50% at fault, you may not receive any compensation.
While drivers making a left turn are usually considered to be at fault, the factors discussed above make proving fault and attributing the proper percentage of fault to each driver more complex. It’s critical to work with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can gather the proper evidence necessary demonstrate that the other driver was at fault while minimizing your liability under comparative negligence laws.
The Long-Term Financial Impact on Riders
Medical bills after a motorcycle accident can add up quickly and create significant financial burdens. Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medications add up fast. Riders also face additional long-term financial hardships from:
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Future medical expenses
- Vehicle repair or replacement
While your current medical bills are easy to calculate, it can be harder to estimate the full long-term financial impact a motorcycle accident will have. It’s critical to account for all current and future expenses to ensure your compensation accounts for the total extent of your damages. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help ensure these long-term costs are factored into your compensation.
How Riders Can Reduce Their Risk of Left Turn Accidents
While you can’t control the actions of other drivers, you can take steps to lower your chances of being hit in a left turn accident:
- Increase Visibility – Wear bright gear and use headlights, even during the day, to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
- Stay Cautious at Intersections – Slow down and anticipate that a driver might make a left turn unexpectedly.
- Position Your Motorcycle Strategically – Avoid riding in blind spots or directly next to large vehicles that may block a driver’s view.
- Use Defensive Riding Techniques – Prepare an escape route and be ready to brake or swerve if needed.
What to Do After a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a left turn motorcycle accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can make a major difference in your ability to maximize the value of your compensation. The following tips will help you protect your rights:
- Seek Medical Attention Right Away – Always visit a doctor, even if you feel fine. It’s common for motorcycle accident injury symptoms to take days or even weeks to develop, and prompt treatment is critical to your ability to heal properly and protect your right to compensation.
- Call the Police at the Accident Scene – A police report creates an official record of the crash and can provide an important piece of evidence to support your claim.
- Gather Evidence at the Scene – Take photos of the accident scene, including the positioning of vehicles, skid marks, and your injuries if possible.
- Get Witness Information – Eyewitness accounts are powerful in proving fault. Make sure to jot down the contact information of any witnesses who can support your version what happened.
- Avoid Admitting Fault – While it’s important to answer all questions from insurance agents and police officers honestly, never provide any information that can be considered an admission of fault during these conversations.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – An attorney can make sure your rights are protected every step of the way and help you maximize the value of your compensation.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Insurance companies aren’t on your side. Their primary goal is to minimize the amount of money they must pay out on your claim. To accomplish this goal, insurance companies may pressure you into settling quickly before the full extent of your injuries is known or get you to sign a waiver that limits the amount of money you can recover.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will ensure your rights are protected and help you maximize the value of your compensation by:
- Handling all communication with the insurance company
- Calculating the full value of your damages, including future costs
- Bringing in experts to support your case
- Negotiating aggressively and taking your case to trial if a settlement isn’t in your best interests
After a left turn motorcycle accident, working with an experienced lawyer can be the difference between struggling financially and having the resources to fully recover.
Pushchak Law Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. At Pushchak Law, we can make sure your rights are protected throughout the process.
Brian Pushchak has made motorcycle accident cases a primary focus of his practice. He’s helped many motorcycle accident victims in the Denver area hold negligent drivers accountable, and his specialization in these cases provides additional expertise that is critical to helping you maximize the value of your compensation.
Mr. Pushchak has developed a unique Informed Decisions™ Approach focused on helping you receive the best possible outcome to your case. This approach keeps you in control at all times and ensures Mr. Pushchak remains aligned with your goals. He’ll listen carefully to what you’re looking to accomplish and then will discuss your legal rights and options with you in detail. He’ll take the time to answer any questions you may have to ensure you understand his recommended legal strategy. Ultimately, you will have the final say on how your case is handled, as this is the best way to ensure Mr. Pushchak is meeting your needs.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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