Research into motor vehicle collisions can help policymakers and safety experts identify common trends. Knowledge of long-standing and emerging trends can influence policies related to road design, vehicle manufacturing standards and even traffic statutes.
One of the most dangerous things any driver can do is actually completely legal and sometimes even necessary. Turning left at an intersection or at a driveway can lead to a potentially devastating crash. According to an analysis of intersection collisions, over 60% of crashes at intersections involve at least one vehicle turning left.
Frequently, left-turn crashes are side-impact crashes, also known as T-bone or angle collisions. They can result devastating consequences for vehicle occupants. What makes a left-turn crash potentially so serious?
1. Inadequate side-impact protection
Many vehicle manufacturers do not include side-impact safety systems as a standard feature in their vehicles. As such, there may not be airbags or even reinforced structural elements to prevent catastrophic vehicle damage that can cause life-altering and fatal injuries. The vehicle that sustains impact from the side is likely to incur far worse damage than a vehicle struck from the rear or the front.
2. The inability to maneuver
When a wrong-way driver causes a head-on collision, the driver they strike may have a chance to slow down or swerve first. Those actions can reduce the force of impact or change the angle of approach and therefore the degree of injury that results. A sideswipe is typically far less serious than a full head-on collision, for example. Someone turning left is often not in a position to slow down or swerve. In fact, they may be so focused on their traffic maneuver that they do not even notice the approaching vehicle about to hit them.
3. The high speeds involved
Rear-end crashes often involve vehicles moving slowly as they approach intersections. Those attempting to avoid head-on collisions often hit their brakes, reducing vehicle speed and the force of impact. In a left-turn collision scenario, the vehicle that strikes the turning vehicle may not slow down at all. The extent of the vehicle damage and therefore the degree of risk to occupants increases with the speed of the vehicles involved in a crash.
Those dealing with the aftermath of a left-turn collision may need help holding another driver accountable. Consulting with a legal professional can help people evaluate insurance coverage and other options for covering their crash losses accordingly.