All car accidents, even seemingly minor fender-benders, can be dangerous. However, there are also levels to the danger. Some types of car accidents are inherently more dangerous than others, like a head-on collision compared to a parking lot fender-bender.
One of the most dangerous types is the left-turn accident, which is responsible for 53% of intersection fatalities in the United States. This refers to any type of accident caused by making a left-hand turn in a vehicle that crosses at least one lane of incoming traffic. They can take place on a large highway or on a small residential road.
Why is a left-turn accident typically more dangerous than a right-turn accident? This is an important question often asked by car accident victims and their families,experienced car accident lawyers, traffic cops and others. Let’s explore some of the reasons why left-turn accidents are among the most dangerous type of vehicle collisions.
The Dangers of Crossing Traffic
Left-hand turns are inherently more dangerous than their right-handed counterparts because they require the driver to cross traffic. If the intersection has no stoplight, the driver has to cross incoming traffic, but even a turn where a light is present puts you at risk from other drivers running a red light.
Difference in Vehicle Impact Location
Perhaps the biggest reason these accidents are so dangerous is the angle and location of the impact. For right-hand turns, the position of the two cars means that the most likely impact would be one vehicle rear-ending the other or the sides of each vehicle hitting each other. This will likely damage both vehicles, but the passengers are relatively protected.
However, with a left-turn accident, the most likely result would be an incoming vehicle driving into the passenger’s side of the vehicle executing the turn. This is commonly referred to as “getting T-boned”, a broadside collision, or a side-vehicle impact, and is responsible for roughly 22% of traffic fatalities in the US every year.
Most vehicles are designed to protect occupants from head-on collisions (the deadliest type) or getting rear-ended by another vehicle. This means that most of these safety features are based around the front and back of the car. On the sides, particularly around the doors, fewer safety features have been installed, making a side-impact significantly more dangerous.
Limited Visibility and Spatial Reasoning
Another important factor is the lower level of visibility that drivers have when turning left and crossing traffic. It’s more difficult to determine the speed and distance of oncoming traffic when turning to the left. Many accidents are caused by drivers thinking they have enough time to cross the other lane and complete the turn, but they underestimate the speed of the oncoming vehicle.
A car driving at 60 miles per hour travels 88 feet every second. Unless you’re a very good judge of distance, it’s not always easy to tell at first glance if an oncoming car is 400 or 500 feet away. It may not seem like an important distinction, but that extra second or so can be the difference between a terrible accident and an ordinary, everyday turn that you never think about again.
Final Thoughts on the Dangers of Left-Turn Crashes
Left-turn accidents are more dangerous because they’re more difficult to complete, involve crossing potentially multiple lanes of traffic, and the impact of a T-bone collision is itself more dangerous than other types of vehicle accidents. As many vehicle safety features are designed around the front and the back of the car, the sides provide the least amount of protection for those inside.
The most common causes for left-turn accidents are distracted driving (including phone usage), failure to yield, speeding, and driving while impaired. Maintaining situational awareness, paying attention to all traffic signs, and obeying posted speed limits can help reduce these accidents.
