Left-Turn Intersection Accidents—What You Need to Know

Intersections are some of the most dangerous places for drivers and passengers. A well-run intersection flows smoothly, but it just takes one person to run a red light, ignore right-of-way laws, or forget to use their turn signal—and that’s when accidents happen. Car accident lawyers in Orange County can help you sort out your next steps.

For more than 40 years, DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP has championed the rights of accident victims throughout Southern California. Attorneys Ernest P. and Mark S. Algorri strive to bring closure and justice to those who have been harmed by others’ negligence. Find out how we can help you—call our car accident law firm at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to schedule a consultation now.

How Left-Turn Accidents Happen

The vast majority of left-turn accidents follow a very predictable formula. Traffic is flowing smoothly at an intersection when a vehicle pulls into the left-turn lane to wait for a gap in traffic. But instead of waiting for an appropriate time to turn, they turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. They are either struck on their side or they strike the other driver on their side. In either case, it results in a T-bone accident.

Why are these accidents so common? In some cases, it’s a matter of being in a rush or hoping that luck is on their side—they don’t want to wait and risk having to wait until the light turns red to complete their left turn. In other cases, it’s a misjudgment. The driver genuinely believes they have time to complete the turn safely, but their assessment of the other driver’s speed or distance is off.

In some cases handled by car accident lawyers, malice or gross negligence is to blame. For example, a drunk driver may be so impaired that they don’t even attempt to stop before executing their unsafe left turn.

Determining Fault With a Car Accident Attorney

In the majority of left-turn intersection accidents, the driver attempting to turn left is liable for the accident and subsequent injuries and property damage. The California Vehicle Code indicates that drivers waiting to turn left must yield the right-of-way to drivers approaching from the opposite direction if those drivers are close enough to pose a hazard to the driver turning left.

However, there is an exception. If there’s a green left-turn arrow, the driver turning left clearly has the right-of-way. In this case, a driver approaching from the opposite direction would be expected to yield. If they did not, a car accident attorney would likely hold them liable for the crash.

Some accidents aren’t quite as cut-and-dry as others. Some are a little murky—consider, for example, a driver waiting to turn left while another vehicle coming from the other direction is waiting to turn left. The first driver can’t see if the road is clear of oncoming traffic because of the layout of the road and the size of the other vehicle. They take a chance and turn, only to get hit by a car going straight. While the driver turning left often claims that the other driver should have known they couldn’t see them, blame once again lies with the driver attempting to turn. They must always verify that traffic is clear before turning.

Proving liability may involve pulling surveillance cameras and red light cameras to determine who had the right-of-way at the time of the accident. Eyewitnesses can also be an excellent source of information. Damage to both vehicles can also provide insight into the speed of both vehicles and any evasive measures that were taken.

Seeking Full and Fair Compensation

Left-turn accidents can cause a significant amount of bodily harm and property damage. T-bone collisions often leave vehicles totaled, and passengers are at risk of severe or fatal injuries if they are on the impacted side. In the worst-case scenario, a T-bone accident can result in a rollover or a pile-up.

Regardless of the extent of your injuries and property damage, getting fair compensation after a left-turn accident can be an uphill battle. It’s important to work with an experienced attorney who can advocate for your best interests.

Call Us Today—You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone

Our Orange County car accident law firm is here to help you fight for fair compensation after a left-turn collision. Let’s talk more about your next steps now. Just reach out online or call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464).