Making a left turn on the roads of Port Charlotte requires focus and sticking to the rules of the road in order to cross the traffic flow of oncoming vehicles safely. Accidents can and do frequently happen when drivers do not follow the rules and end up making an unlawful left turn. This frequently happens at intersections in Port Charlotte and across Florida, most often when drivers are in a hurry and trying to beat changing traffic lights.
With over 75 years combined experience in handling left turn accident cases and other types of car accidents, the team of attorneys at The Law Place is here to help victims of left-turn accidents and all other types of auto accidents to seek justice.
If you or a family member have been involved in a left turn accident in Florida and would like to speak to an accident lawyer today, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation to ask any questions you may have about your accident and get some initial legal advice for free! Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, so contact The Law Place today to find out what options may be available for you.
The Left Turn Law in Florida
When on the roads, a driver turning to the right has an easier time. This is because they are in the outer, slow lane closest to the curb, so when they turn, they have the right of way. But a driver making a left turn, which often takes place at an intersection, has to factor oncoming traffic into the maneuver. Furthermore, there is more to consider in terms of the duty of care to other drivers when performing a left turn. In following Florida traffic laws, a driver must turn in the closest lane to the middle of the road, taking time to get into the appropriate lane ahead of the intersection. When in position, you must turn promptly, as soon as there is space on the road to do so.
It is a legal requirement for all drivers in the State of Florida to ensure they adhere to traffic control signals when using the roads, as per Florida Statute 316.151. There is no room for interpreting changing lights or taking a chance by turning on a red light based on when the driver may perceive the road conditions to have space for it. Whilst these kinds of risky decisions do get made by drivers on the roads, the law is clear that they are not legal. Furthermore, violations will be penalized. If a driver has been negligent at a left turn and caused a car crash, the advice of our law firm is to gather as much evidence as possible to show how the other driver failed to follow their duty of care.
If you have any questions regarding left-hand turn accidents, attorneys from The Law Place can help. We offer a free case evaluation where you can get some legal advice specific to the details of your case. So call today to speak to a left turn accident lawyer in Port Charlotte.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If you or a family member have been a victim of a left turn accident in Port Charlotte that wasn’t your fault, you can look to make a claim for lost income, medical expenses, and for the stress suffered. Whilst making claims from insurance companies may seem relatively straightforward, to qualify for the maximum amount of compensation that may be owed, there are a series of protocols to consider and follow. The claims process can become especially complex when attempting to quantify trauma and the impact an auto accident has had on a person’s quality of life.
Categories of damages usually include:
- Economic – These are expenses that will be paid back to a victim when they have covered costs resulting from the accident using their own funds. They are recorded through receipts, invoices, and bank statements. They can include costs for medical bills, transportation, lost wages, and vehicle repairs, as well as factoring in anticipated future costs.
- General non-economic – These damages account for physical and emotional difficulty suffered by victims. This is the category that reflects the impact on quality of life, which includes any permanent harm caused, such as scarring or disfigurement, along with loss of bodily functions.
There are different challenges to gathering evidence and proving damages for each of the categories above, determined by the specific circumstances of each personal injury case. Whilst it is perfectly legal to seek compensation after an accident without representation from a lawyer, attorneys from our law firm have seen many cases over the years where individuals seeking compensation have been made lower offers than they are rightfully entitled to.
With a left turn accident lawyer from The Law Place on your side, you will have specialized legal support available to you. Attorneys from The Law Place are experienced in working with insurance companies to best calculate and propose claims, complete all documentation, and also challenging any offers that may come back. We won’t let you walk away with less compensation than you are entitled to. Call today to find out more.
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About the No-Fault State and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state. This means that if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, then your first claim for compensation should be from your own insurance company. This is the process regardless of who is at fault for the auto accident. More details can be found in Florida Statute 627.7407.
As stated in Florida Statute 627.736, all drivers on the roads of Florida must have their own insurance cover, protecting themselves and their passengers. This personal injury protection (PIP) is required to be a minimum of $10,000, plus a further $10,000, to cover property damage. With this cover, insurance companies have an obligation to cover 80% of any property damage and medical costs up to the policy limit.
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Making a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Claim After a Car accident
Attorneys from The Law Place have seen left-turn car accidents regularly incur damages that exceed the PIP cover outlined above. This is often due to left-turn crashes being mainly side-on, with the impact taking place around the car engines and passenger seating causing the most damage. When PIP limits are exceeded, the next step is to seek further compensation from the insurance company of the other driver.
Making claims from insurance companies takes time and energy, often with many queries and needing to gather further evidence. When it comes to making insurance claims, attorneys at The Law Place often remind clients that whilst insurance companies exist to support their customers, they are also looking to protect their profits and, as such, keep payouts to a minimum. It is common for insurance companies to use what you say to reduce the value of your claim, especially if you are not aware of how to avoid this and get the maximum amount of compensation you may be owed. This is where an accident attorney can help. By representing you, we will give you the best chance of claiming compensation that will cover all the damages you sustained after a left turn car accident that wasn’t your fault.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
How Could a Port Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Help?
There are many factors to be aware of when it comes to the process of making a personal injury claim. We can offer you an overview so that you are informed on how best to proceed with your case. If you would like more in-depth advice on the complexities of the Florida legal system, please don’t hesitate to call The Law Place for information tailored specifically to your claim.
If you would rather spend your time focusing on rest and recovery after a motor vehicle accident, we understand. It is common not to have the energy for paperwork after a traumatic experience, like a left-turn accident. This is where an accident attorney from The Law Place can help. When time is of the essence, a lawyer can support you with tasks that need to be prioritized, such as gathering evidence or witness statements whilst memories are fresh, following up CCTV footage requests, and collating the details of your damages.
You can trust that an attorney from The Law Place will be focused on recovering the maximum compensation you may be eligible for and effectively handling personal injury protection (PIP) protocol, as well as any other complicated tasks that leave many a car accident victim confused and out of pocket with unpaid expenses. If you’d like to speak to a car accident lawyer and ask questions about your car accident, you can contact The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact The Law Place today
The specialist team of accident attorneys at The Law Place is here to review your case and support you in taking the next step towards justice by recovering the compensation you may be entitled to. Our team of lawyers knows the laws of Port Charlotte and the entire State of Florida, as well as the roads and all their risks. With over 75 years of legal experience, you can get some peace of mind from their knowledge, experience, and legal support after your auto accident.
We understand that it can be a stressful and overwhelming time after an accident, which is why our phone lines are open 24/7 for your convenience. Contact The Law Place to arrange a free consultation with an experienced lawyer today. When you are ready to take the next steps on your legal journey, you can reach us at (941) 444-4444.