Florida Driver Seriously Injured After Being Rear-Ended Waiting in Left Turn Lane
A crash involving three cars has left a Palm Harbor, Florida, man suffering serious injuries. According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, the car crash occurred while two cars were stopped in a left turn lane. The third car, a 1995 Nissan Sedan, drifted into the left turn lane and failed to stop for unknown reasons. The Nissan struck a 2008 Honda Sedan, which contained the driver who sustained serious injuries. The Honda then was pushed into a trailer being towed by a 2007 Ford F150 stopped in front of him. The seriously injured driver needed to be extricated from his car and has been transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The driver who caused the accident and the driver of the Ford did not sustain any physical injuries.
Take Safety Precautions to Minimize Danger While Making Left Turns
Although there seems to be little the victims in Palm Harbor could have done to avoid the car accident, there are a few steps you can take to minimize your risk when you are preparing to make a left turn. According to AAA, left-hand turns are especially risky because you are attempting to drive across oncoming traffic. If your judgment is off by even a little bit or if your visibility if compromised, it can be very dangerous to make a left-hand turn that isn’t controlled by a traffic arrow. There are a few things you should remember when you are making left turns to minimize the chances that you will be involved in an accident. First, always yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. Always signal for the left-hand turn at least 150 feet in advance of the intersection. Be alert and make sure there are no other vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, or pedestrians in your path. Be particularly aware of anyone who is about to enter the crosswalk.
Traffic Crashes are on the Rise in Florida
It is especially important to be a cautious and aware driver because it appears that traffic crashes are on the rise in Florida. It is not entirely clear what is causing the increased number of crashes, but according to information filed by law enforcement agencies in the state of Florida, the number of traffic crashes increased by 23.4% over the three-year period of 2010 to 2012. Over the same period, the number of crashes that resulted in injuries jumped by 11.03%. Across the state of Florida, there were an average of 770 crashes per day during the year of 2012. These statistics show why it is so important to be a defensive driver and to make sure you are always observing the best practices of traffic safety.
If you have been involved in a traffic accident that caused any injuries to yourself or damage to your property, contact the West personal injury attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP in West Palm Beach.
