What to Know About Left-Turn Accidents

What to know about left-turn accidents Traffic accidents always come down to a blame game and the person making the left turn is often in the wrong. About half of all crashes at Canadian intersections involved a vehicle that was turning left, according to a 2007 joint study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  With so many claims stemming from those incidents, the Insurance Bureau of Canada considers all left turns into traffic that lead to an accident, as against insurance company policy. Before trying to beat the light and making an ill-advised left turn, here are some things drivers should consider:   Different types of insurance Insurance companies always deem someone at fault in cases of accidents. The fault could be partial or full depending on the circumstances. Individuals deal with their own insurance companies, regardless of who caused the accident. No-fault insurance allows a person to receive part or full coverage by their company regardless of who caused the accident. They can receive medical and other benefits without having to track down the other driver and take them to court. They are also eligible even if they are deemed to have caused the accident.   Proving who's at fault Insurance companies determine fault by analyzing accident reports. Therefore, if the other driver committed a traffic violation as well, such as speeding or running a red light, there is room for adjustment. Adjusters can "split the fault" in these situations, instead of the full liability for the driver turning left. As a driver, proving what happened at the time of the accident is crucial in determining your eligibility for an insurance claim. First-hand witness accounts are helpful in constructing the scene before and after the accident. An impartial witness is ideal to corroborate your story, especially if you claim that the other driver was at fault.   Comments We would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts about traffic accidents in "Leave a Comment" found below. Links Fault determination rules Sources http://www.ibc.ca/on/auto/no-fault/fault-assessment