Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents

A high number of motorcycle injury accidents involve another driver making a left turn and failing to properly yield at an intersection. One of the most dangerous aspects of riding a motorcycle is other driver’s inability to recognize an oncoming motorcycle’s image. With the small silhouette of a motorcycle and its smaller share of the road; it is common for other drivers to not see an approaching motorcycle rider. The injuries to motorcycle riders occur at their highest rates at intersections where motorists must yield to oncoming traffic before making a left-turn. Due to the number of motorcycle injury accidents, motorcycle riders need to be especially alert when driving through an intersection. However, when approaching an intersection on a motorcycle it is very difficult to discern if the waiting driver sees you and your motorcycle.

Why do left turn motorcycle accidents occur with such a high degree of frequency? The reasons relate to driver error or simply negligent driving. State law requires a left turning motorist to yield the right of way, to approaching traffic until a left turn can be made with reasonable safety. Common scenarios that result in left-turn motorcycle injury accidents are as follows: driver attempting a left turn does not see the motorcycle approaching; driver making the left turn panics and stops in front of the approaching motorcycle; motorist turning left is waived through by another driver; driver making the left turn miscalculates the speed of an approaching motorcycle. All of these scenarios can result in catastrophic harm to the approaching motorcycle rider. If you are injured in such a scenario seek counsel from those you trust and take prompt steps to protect your legal rights. For more information about the impact negligent left turns are having on the families of motorcycle riders, go to the web site, “look twice save a life bumper stickers dot com.”