By Pendergast Law on December 5, 2014
A 60-year-old mother was injured when her daughter turned their vehicle into a Metro bus in the west side of lower Queen Anne. According to a KOMO news report, the bus accident occurred on Elliott Avenue West at Harrison in Seattle. Officials say the victim’s daughter did not see the bus in the bus lane before turning left. The mother had to be extricated from the car, and was transported in stable condition to a nearby hospital. None of the passengers on the bus were injured.
Many of the most devastating Seattle intersection accidents involve vehicles turning left at intersections, driveways and parking lots. If you are turning left, it is imperative that you use caution and obey traffic laws. According to Washington Statute 46.61.185: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
In other words, drivers must yield the right-of-way when making a left turn. If you are turning left, you must look for pedestrians, bicyclists and oncoming traffic before entering the intersection. If, however, you are approaching an intersection and have the right-of-way, it is often advisable to slow down a little and to carefully monitor if the turning driver sees you. There is little you can do to avoid a crash with a careless motorist, but remaining attentive and being ready to make an emergency maneuver could save your life.
If you are injured in a left-turn accident, you are going to need to prove who was responsible for the crash. An experienced Seattle car accident lawyer can help you secure fair and full compensation for all your injuries, damages and losses.