Motorcycle accidents can happen in many ways, but left-turn collisions are among the most disputed. These accidents usually happen when a driver turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver might be turning into a driveway, crossing traffic at an intersection, or trying to beat a light before oncoming vehicles arrive. In just a few seconds, a motorcyclist can be left with serious injuries while both sides argue over who had the right of way.
Let our local Muskegon motorcycle attorney explain why fault is often disputed in a left-turn motorcycle accident and what evidence can help strengthen your personal injury claim.
Why Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents Are So Common
Left-turn motorcycle accidents are common because motorcycles are smaller and easier to overlook than cars or trucks. A left-turning driver might glance at oncoming traffic but fail to see a motorcycle, or misjudge how fast the rider is traveling or how close the motorcycle really is. In other cases, the driver sees the motorcycle, yet assumes there’s enough time to complete the turn. When that judgment is wrong, the rider has little time to brake, swerve, or avoid impact.
These crashes can become complicated when drivers and insurance companies try to shift blame to the rider. The driver might say the motorcyclist was speeding, came out of nowhere, changed lanes, failed to use a headlight, or had time to avoid the crash. Insurance adjusters might use these arguments to reduce the value of the claim. Even when the left-turning driver appears to be at fault, the outcome heavily depends on what the evidence actually shows.
How Fault Is Determined in Left-Turn Collisions
In Michigan, a driver who plans to turn left must pay close attention to oncoming traffic. At an intersection, the turning driver generally must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction when those vehicles are already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate danger. The same basic idea applies when a driver turns left somewhere other than an intersection, such as into a driveway, business entrance, side road, or parking lot. The driver must wait until it is reasonably safe to cross the oncoming lane.
Note that Michigan follows the comparative negligence rule, meaning fault can be divided between the parties involved. If the insurer, for instance, argues that the motorcyclist was speeding, weaving through traffic, or not paying attention, it might try to place part of the blame on the rider. Any percentage of fault assigned to you can reduce your recovery. Moreover, if your share of fault is found to be greater than the combined fault of the other parties, you might lose the ability to recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Motorcycle Accident Claim
After a motorcycle crash, it’s essential to gather and preserve evidence as early as possible to prevent spoliation. Substantial evidence can help show how the crash happened, making it harder for the other driver or insurance company to rewrite the story.
Video Footage
Traffic camera footage, dashcam clips, and nearby surveillance videos might capture the position of each vehicle, the timing of the turn, the color of the traffic light, lane placement, speed, whether the rider had enough time to react, and the moments leading up to the crash. Since many systems automatically erase recordings after a short period, it’s necessary to act quickly before that evidence is lost.
Witness Accounts
Witness statements can help fill in details about what happened before, during, and after the crash. A witness might have seen the left-turning driver hesitate, rush through a gap, fail to signal, or turn directly across the motorcycle path. Police reports that include driver statements, witness names, road conditions, and initial observations can serve as an important starting point for a left-turn motorcycle accident claim.
Crash Analysis
Vehicle damage and crash scene analysis can say a lot about how the left-turn motorcycle accident happened. The point of impact might show whether the driver cut across the motorcycle lane, or whether the motorcycle struck the side or front corner of the turning vehicle. Damage patterns, debris location, scrape marks, and final resting positions can help explain the movement of both vehicles before and after the collision.
Expert Findings
In some cases, an accident reconstruction expert might be needed to study the evidence and explain how the crash occurred. These expert witnesses can review measurements, photos, video, vehicle damage, roadway design, sightlines, speed estimates, braking distance, and impact angles. Their findings can help challenge unfair claims that the rider was speeding or had enough time to avoid the collision.
Protecting Your Rights After a Motorcycle Collision
A left-turn motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with injuries, medical bills, missed work, motorcycle damage, and questions about what really happened. It can be even more frustrating when the insurance company tries to place blame on you to reduce your claim, even when the other driver turned across your path. When fault is disputed, it helps to have the right legal support early.
Shafer Swartz PLC can help you build a claim that shows the full impact of your injuries and the facts behind the collision. Our experienced Muskegon motorcycle attorneys can review the crash details, gather important evidence, communicate with the insurance company, and protect your right to fair compensation. Contact us today at (231) 722-2444 or here to schedule a consultation.