Left Turn Accidents Are Most Dangerous for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

 A new report by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) has found that of all the maneuvers drivers make, left turns are not only among the most difficult, but also the most dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to an article on Nextcity.org, left turn incidents caused about 19 percent of all pedestrian and bicyclist deaths or serious injuries in New York City in 2015, three times higher than those caused by drivers turning right. Drivers making left turns in the city caused more than 100 deaths between 2010 and 2014.

The report titled “Don’t Cut Corners” also identifies factors that are more likely to increase the risk of left-turn crashes at certain intersections. Based on reviewing traffic collision reports from 2009 to 2013, the agency found that left-turn crashes are more likely to happen when a car is making a turn from a minor street into a major one. Left turn crashes also occur more frequently on wider streets. Pedestrians tend to be more exposed in longer crosswalks where drivers often turn faster with a wider radius. Among pedestrians and bicyclists, senior citizens are more at risk.
Making Roads Safer
The NYCDOT announced, based on this report’s findings, that it will be implementing a number of intersection changes to diminish these types of risks to pedestrians and bicyclists. One hundred intersections will get permanent plastic delineators, rubber curbs and marked guiding turn radii. These aids, officials hope, will slow down turns and eliminate cut corners.
At 500 intersections, the agency will install Leading Pedestrian Intervals with time crossing lights so that pedestrians get a seven-second head start before cars. In addition, in 2017, the agency plans to roll out a public information campaign about these features. In intersections where these changes have been implemented, the city has seen a 41 percent reduction in injuries caused by left turns over the course of three years.
Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous
When making a left turn, drivers must judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars, battle the glare of the sunlight or headlights of other vehicles as well as watch for motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Driving requires constant vigilance and watching and reacting to others on the roadway. Nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 53.1 percent of crossing-path crashes involve left turns. NHTSA reports that close to half of 5.8 million car crashes in the U.S. are intersection-related and the majority of those are the result of making a left turn.
There are several safety measures motorists can and should take before making a left turn. Turn your signal on and watch for drivers who may misinterpret this signal as an intent to turn somewhere before your intended turning point. Don’t start turning until there is sufficient time for the rear of the vehicle to clear the intersection without forcing opposing drivers to slow down or swerve. Do not assume that opposing drivers will see you. Watch for bicyclists on the roadway and pedestrians in crosswalks as you make your turn. Never drive while distracted. Distracted driving amounts to negligent driving. Drivers who are negligent, in addition to facing citations, may be held financially responsible for the victim’s losses. Officials say the increase in left-turn crashes may also be attributed to an increase in the number of drivers who are distracted by cell phones and other electronic devices.
Compensation for Injured Victims
Injured victims of pedestrian and bicycle accidents can hold at-fault motorists financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses they cause. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver or due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For more than 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/nyc-dot-left-turn-study-initiative