An 18-year-old woman has died from injuries she suffered in a two-vehicle accident in St. Johns County in early September, according to the Florida Times-Union.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the woman and two passengers were traveling in a 2005 Ford Focus that another teen was driving. The driver apparently tried to make a left-hand turn when a 2010 Nissan Frontier struck its right side. It’s unclear if drugs, alcohol or inattentive driving were involved in the crash. In the days after the accident, the St. Johns County School District made crisis counselors to students who may have known the deceased woman.
A National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that only about 1.7 percent of all auto accidents in the study happened directly after a vehicle was turning left. However, it’s worth noting that the study found that it was far more common for left-turning motorists to be involved in an accident compared to those making a right-hand turn.
The most common movements prior to a critical crash envelope, according to the NHTSA study, were vehicles going straight, drivers negotiating a curve in the road and vehicles being stopped in a traffic lane.
Regardless, it’s important for all motorists to keep their attention focused on the road and to be extra careful when making turns. With left-hand turns in particular, all drivers need to make sure the road is clear of oncoming traffic, and all drivers should be on the lookout for other vehicles that may be attempting these turns.
If you have been injured in a car accident you believe was the fault of another party, consult a knowledgeable Jacksonville personal injury attorney right away.
Attorney Mark Link contributed to this post.