In a left-turn accident, the driver turning left is usually at fault. However, there are a few exceptions where other parties could also hold some level of liability. One of these exceptions is if the accident happened at night and the car driving straight did not have its headlights on. In this case, the turning driver likely won’t be liable because they couldn’t see the other driver coming.
You might be entitled to recover compensation if you were involved in a left-turn accident where the other party was to blame. At Berry Law, we have helped countless injury victims recover compensation after a crash. Learn more about how we can help you by contacting us and scheduling a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers.
Determining Fault After a Left-Turn Accident in Nebraska
Under Nebraska law, drivers turning left must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic unless they have a green arrow indicating it is their turn to turn. Drivers must generally wait to turn left if there is a chance that their doing so will impede the path of any oncoming vehicle. Because of this, the driver making the left turn is at fault in the majority of these accidents.
Exceptions do exist in some cases, including if the oncoming driver is speeding significantly, making it so that they arrive at the intersection far sooner than anticipated by the turning driver. Another exception may be if the other driver violates a stop signal of some type. However, since these are the exceptions rather than the rule, it can be challenging to prove the other driver’s fault if you were the one making a left turn.
Whether you were the driver turning or the oncoming driver, an experienced attorney can help you prove the fault of the other party if you suffered damages because of their actions.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Nebraska
Nebraska uses a modified comparative negligence rule when assessing fault after an accident. Under this rule, multiple parties can be found to share in the responsibility of an accident. Even if you were partially to blame for your left-turn accident, you can still recover compensation as long as your level of liability was below 50%.
However, the amount of money you will be eligible to recover will be reduced proportionately to your level of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% to blame for your accident, you would only be able to recover 80% of the full value of your claim. In this scenario, if your damages are valued at $100,000, you would only be able to collect $80,000 if you win your case.
Don’t Wait to Get Started on Your Case
When pursuing compensation after a left-turn accident, it is essential that you get started as soon as possible. Delays can have many negative consequences on your case, the worst of which is the loss of your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
In Nebraska, the personal injury statute of limitations generally gives accident victims four years to file a lawsuit against the liable party. However, in some cases, the details of your accident or the identity of the negligent parties can further limit the amount of time you have to file. Missing this deadline will likely mean the loss of your right to claim compensation.
In addition to the filing deadline, delays to your case can also make it incredibly difficult for your left-turn accident lawyer to build a strong case on your behalf. The later they get started, the harder it will be to collect evidence that supports your claim. Furthermore, any witness testimony you rely upon will be less compelling, the further it is removed from the date of your accident.
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Damages You Can Recover Following a Left-Turn Accident
If you sustained a serious injury in a left-turn accident, you will likely be able to claim several different types of damages. Because no two left-turn accidents are the same, it is impossible to say what damages will apply to your case without a more thorough look at the details of your accident and the damages you suffered.
Fortunately, an experienced left-turn accident lawyer can help you identify all the damages you are eligible to pursue so that you can recover the full value of your claim. All the compensatory damages available after a left-turn accident are split into two overarching categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are typically quite straightforward. These damages are awarded to compensate you for any losses you suffered that directly impacted your finances. In this category, you will find both money you had to spend because of your accident and any income you were prevented from earning.
Beyond the losses you currently face, you can also recover economic damages for projected further losses. Following a left-turn accident, the economic damages that are most often recovered include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial costs
Non-Economic Damages
In this category, you will find a wide range of losses. Non-economic damages include every loss you incurred that is not covered by economic damages. These damages tend to be far more personal and profound and are often irreplaceable. Because of this, the amount of money awarded for non-economic damages tends to be significant, though it is often harder to put a specific value on without a personal injury lawyer fighting for your recovery.
Following a left-turn accident, the non-economic damages that are most often recovered include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Left-Turn Accident Attorney in Nebraska Today
To put yourself in the best position possible to recover the compensation you need after a left-turn accident, it is essential that you hire an experienced attorney. At Berry Law, our personal injury lawyers have a long history of helping clients recover the money they need and deserve after a crash.
Contact us today by phone or by completing our online contact form and schedule a free, no-obligation case review with a member of our legal team.
