1 Killed, 4 Injured In Pasco County Crash

Driving is serious business. It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings. Even something such as a left turn can be deadly.

Sadly, this was recently the case in Pasco County. A left turn accident killed one person and injured four others. The fatal crash occurred on the evening of November 2.

A 21-year-old man from New Port Richey was heading west on State Route 52 on a KTM motorcycle. At the same time, a 51-year-old man from Holiday was carrying three passengers in a Mitsubishi Outlander. It was heading east on SR-52, approaching the intersection of Parkwood Street.

At the intersection, the driver of the Mitsubishi made a left turn into the path of the motorcyclist. The two vehicles collided and the motorcyclist died at the accident scene.

The Holiday man, along with a boy and a girl, both 16, suffered minor injuries. A 48-year-old woman in the vehicle suffered serious injuries. All four occupants of the Mitsubishi were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Dangers of Left Turn Accidents

Left turn accidents are among the most dangerous types of vehicle collisions due to several key factors:

• Higher risk of T-bone collisions. When making a left turn, vehicles often cross opposing lanes of traffic. This increases the risk of side-impact (T-bone) collisions, which can be severe due to the limited protection on the sides of most vehicles.
• Limited visibility. Left turns typically require drivers to judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic. Obstructions like parked vehicles, road curvature, or poor lighting can reduce visibility, making it difficult to accurately assess when it’s safe to turn.
• Misjudging gaps in traffic. Drivers often miscalculate the speed of oncoming vehicles or underestimate the time it takes to complete a left turn. This misjudgment can lead to high-speed collisions, which are more likely to cause severe injuries or fatalities.
• Increased risk at unprotected left turns. Unprotected left turns (turns without a dedicated green arrow or left turn lane) are especially risky because the driver must yield to oncoming traffic. Many left turn accidents occur at intersections with no traffic signals or only a yield sign, where the decision-making is entirely up to the driver.

Left turn accidents can cause severe injuries such as the following:

• Whiplash and neck injuries. The sudden, forceful impacts of such an accident can cause whiplash.
• Traumatic brain injuries. The impact of a side collision can result in head trauma, especially if an occupant hits their head on a steering wheel or dashboard.
• Fractures and broken bones. These are especially common in T-bone collisions, where the side of the vehicle is hit by another vehicle.
• Internal Injuries. Due to the force of the impact, internal organs can be damaged.

Seek Help for Your Personal Injury Case

While many crashes are minor, some car accidents are serious events that can lead to issues such as catastrophic injuries, fatalities, vehicle damage, and lost wages.

A Dade City & Zephyrhills auto accident attorney from Madonna Law can help you deal with insurance issues, liability, compensation, and more. Get started with a consultation. Call (800) 557-0411 or fill out the online form.

Source:

wfla.com/news/pasco-county/motorcyclist-dead-4-hospitalized-in-pasco-county-highway-crash-fhp/