Waiting to turn left out of a shopping center can seem to take forever. With four lanes of traffic and no light, you may feel like you will never catch a break to make it over.
One thing that may occur if there is a break in the lane nearest is a driver may wave you through, and you may jump at the chance to make it to the middle of the turn. However, this action causes more collisions than you probably know. The insurance company calls it the “wave of death,” and for good reason. See why this friendly action causes so much havoc.
No clear line of sight
The danger in crossing through traffic is a reality that drivers do not always contemplate. If the car in the lane closest to you stops and gestures for you to drive through, you may believe it means the lane you cannot see is clear. However, drivers unintentionally do not consider that traffic may not stop. Without a real clear line of sight to that next lane, you run the risk that a car may come driving through, not realizing you have pulled out. The risk is real for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Finding the fault
When you do take the chance to pull out, you may find yourself getting hit by the driver in the second lane. This kind of accident has deadly consequences for you, as it usually impacts the area of the driver’s door. Once the dust settles and you begin the claims process, you may wonder why the insurance company finds you at fault. You did not have the right-of-way to turn left without complete clearance. Because California is a tort or at-fault state, you may find yourself facing an uphill battle.
Turning left when you have clearance is safer than taking a chance. Should you find yourself facing a fault-finding because you went when waved across, check with an attorney in your area for assistance.
