Left turns are a leading cause of accidents at Chicago intersections due to misjudged gaps, aggressive driving, busy city traffic, and limited visibility from various obstructions. Every year, many collisions in the city are attributable to left-turn attempts that result in deaths, serious injuries, and property damage.
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Why Left Turns Increase the Risk of Intersection Accidents
In 2023 in Chicago, 39% of crashes with serious pedestrian injuries or fatalities involved a driver turning left. Left turns are more complex than right turns, which feature fewer points of conflict.
For example, a left turn requires a driver to navigate one or more lanes of opposing traffic. This variable increases the difficulty of this type of turn. Drivers turning left frequently deal with:
- Dense oncoming traffic that moves quickly or unpredictably
- Gaps in traffic that may appear misleading
- Impatience after long waits in the left-turn lane
- Pedestrians crossing the street, perhaps jaywalking, and with or without a walk signal
- Bicyclists, whether approaching from behind, in a bike lane, or elsewhere
- Reduced visibility due to parked cars and other potential barriers
Drivers may make their left turns at high speeds. If they turn while miscalculating the timing, these higher speeds can yield more serious injuries. Other common traffic issues such as driver fatigue, distracted driving, low light or nighttime visibility, and intoxication contribute to left turns as a leading cause of accidents.
The causes of intersection crashes are many. Responsibility often lies with the driver making the left turn, but this is not always the case. For example, a driver going straight could run a red light and crash into a driver making a left turn with a green arrow.
Severe T-bone collisions are more likely with left turns and cause serious injuries, especially for passengers. A car accident lawyer can review evidence to help determine what caused a left-turn accident.
Chicago Intersections With the Most Left-Turn Crashes
The city’s most dangerous intersections for left turns during the past 20 or so years have included Western and Peterson avenues. Various approaches have improved conditions in some places.
Western Avenue and Peterson Avenue (West Ridge)
This intersection gets a lot of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and the light sequences can confuse drivers needing to make left turns. Due to the intersection’s layout, these drivers may also struggle to see oncoming cars.
Cicero Avenue and 95th Street (Oak Lawn)
This major north-south artery gets heavy truck and commuter traffic. Left-turn lanes frequently back up. A lack of green arrows may increase the odds of hurried or unsafe turns.
Stony Island Avenue and 79th Street (South Shore)
Left turn accidents in Chicago have not been uncommon at this intersection with multiple turning lanes, inconsistent signage, and frequent congestion.
Ashland Avenue and Fullerton Avenue (Lincoln Park)
This intersection is near both residential and commercial areas. It gets high pedestrian traffic, along with drivers seeking to beat traffic and red lights.
Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road (Near West Side)
Left turns are a leading cause of accidents at this intersection, with subpar line of sight and frequent pedestrian crossings. There have also been issues with the lack of a designated left-turn arrow.
Traffic Calming Measures
At some intersections, Chicago uses left-turn traffic-calming measures such as rubber speed bumps, bollards, and raised curbs. At least 70 intersections in the city feature these traffic-calming measures, and they are in neighborhoods such as Belmont Cragin, Englewood, and Archer Heights.
Early data from pilot locations showed that 97% of vehicles turned within the safe turning zone after these measures were implemented, up from 73%. Overall, left-turn crashes at five pilot intersections on State Street in the River North area decreased by 24%. Meanwhile, similar nearby intersections had no reduction in left-turn crashes.
However, problems remain. Traffic-calming measures do not work all the time, and drivers still make left turns while distracted or do not yield properly.
When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney After a Left-Turn Collision
Left-turn accidents are not as straightforward as they might seem. Illinois law typically holds the left-turning driver liable for failing to yield. There are exceptions, such as when the oncoming driver is speeding, distracted, or running a red light.
With this in mind, what is considered an injury in a car accident claim? You could have a personal injury case if you suffered broken bones, whiplash, spinal damage, concussions or traumatic brain injuries, lacerations or internal injuries, or psychological trauma, including PTSD.
Even seemingly minor injuries can mean long-term impacts and high medical costs. A car accident attorney in Chicago can evaluate whether you could get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of quality of life.
If you are asking yourself, “Is it worth suing after a car accident?” this is a sign you should consult a lawyer, especially if your injuries required medical treatment, caused time off work, or led to ongoing pain or disability. A personal injury case could get you financial compensation far beyond the settlement the insurance company initially offers.
How do I choose an attorney for a car accident? Look for experience with left-turn accidents, since these cases frequently involve multilayered liability arguments and accident reconstruction. Ask about negotiation skills because insurance companies try to settle for as little as possible. Check that your lawyer has trial readiness, since this sends a signal to insurers.
Left turns are a leading cause of accidents and serious injuries. Ankin Law can offer guidance on your case. Contact us today.
