Dangerous Left Turn Kills Passenger, Seriously Injures Driver

Intersections are already a dangerous place for both cars, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The crossing traffic as well as the turning traffic can make some intersections confusing. According to the NHTSA, turning left is one of the primary causes of motor vehicle accidents. 61% of accidents that occur at intersections involve left turns. Only 3.1% involve right turns.

However, contrary to popular belief, the person making the left turn is not always at fault in the accident. For example, if there is a traffic light with a turn signal and they have the right of way, the driver making the turn would not be at fault. There are other circumstances where the driver would not be at fault as well.

The Temple Terrace, Florida Patch reports that a Tampa woman has died following a crash on 56th Street.

The crash occurred Wednesday night at about 7:25 p.m. on 56th Street.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 45-year-old Tampa man was driving a car north on 56th Street and approaching Diana Street. Another driver was driving south on 56th Street.

The driver who was heading south attempted to make a left turn onto Diana Street. It turned into the path of the northbound vehicle. The impact caused the northbound car to rotate, crash through a pedestrian handrail, and land in a drainage ditch.

A passenger in the northbound car was killed. The driver suffered from serious injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle suffered from minor injuries.