Left-turn accidents are one of the most common — and most dangerous — types of collisions on Florida roads. When a driver fails to yield while turning left and strikes an oncoming vehicle that has the right of way, the results can be devastating: broken bones, spinal injuries, chronic neck and back pain, and months of medical treatment. What many victims don’t realize until after the crash is that the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage may not be enough to fully compensate them.
That’s where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes one of the most valuable decisions you can make as a driver — and one of the most overlooked.
What Is UM/UIM Coverage and Why Does It Matter?
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is an optional add-on to your own auto insurance policy that protects you when the at-fault driver either has no insurance, or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your injuries and damages. In Florida, insurers are required to offer it — but drivers can waive it in writing. Many do, without fully understanding what they’re giving up.
In left-turn crash cases where injuries are serious — think orthopedic injuries, herniated discs, or long-term chiropractic care — medical bills and lost wages can quickly climb well beyond a minimum-limits policy. If the at-fault driver only carries $10,000 or $25,000 in bodily injury coverage, victims are often left holding the bill for the rest.
Clients who carry UM/UIM coverage don’t have that problem. Their own policy steps in to cover the gap, and in serious injury cases, that coverage can result in total payouts of $100,000 or more.
The Left-Turn Scenario: A Common Road to a Serious Claim
At intersections across Florida, left-turn collisions happen every day. A driver misjudges oncoming speed, assumes they have time, or simply runs the light. The oncoming vehicle — traveling with the right of way — has no time to react. The impact is direct, often at full speed, and the injuries tend to be severe.
In cases like these, liability is typically clear. But liability only gets you so far if the at-fault driver’s policy limits are low. That’s the hidden danger no one talks about at the scene of the crash.
What You Should Do After a Left-Turn Accident
If you’ve been injured in a left-turn collision in Florida, here’s what matters most in the early days:
Seek medical treatment immediately and follow through consistently. Gaps in treatment can hurt your claim. Document everything — the crash report, your injuries, your medical visits, and any communication with insurance companies. Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Pull out your own policy and find out if you have UM/UIM coverage. If you’re not sure, an attorney can review it for you at no cost.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
At Licznerski Law, PLLC, we regularly handle cases where clients are surprised to learn they have coverage they didn’t know they could use — and that it dramatically increases the value of their claim. We handle the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the fight, so our clients can focus on getting better.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a left-turn accident in the Tampa Bay area, contact us for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
Alexander D. Licznerski, Esq. Licznerski Law, PLLC Oldsmar, FL | 813-934-3519 | [email protected]