Anyone with a California driver’s license learned you’re not supposed to make a left turn across traffic unless the path is clear. That’s why most people assume a left-turning car is always at fault in an accident.
Not so fast! In a left-turn accident, the turning car is usually at fault, but not 100% of the time. There could be numerous other factors that place partial or total blame on another party.
It’s one of the first things you learn in driver’s education: the car turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. This rule is so ingrained in our minds that after a crash involving a left turn, nearly everyone—including police officers and insurance adjusters—immediately assumes the turning driver is at fault.
While the driver making the left turn is often found liable, they are not always at fault.
There are critical exceptions where the driver going straight shares some, or even all, of the blame. Understanding these exceptions is the key to a successful personal injury claim. This guide breaks down the general rule and the important exceptions under California law.
The General Rule: Why Left-Turning Drivers Are Usually Liable
The assumption of fault comes directly from California law. Vehicle Code 21801(a) states that a driver intending to turn left “shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn can be made with reasonable safety.”
This creates a legal “presumption” that the turning driver is at fault because they had the primary duty to wait until it was safe. To win your case, you must present evidence to overcome this presumption.
When the Turning Driver is NOT At Fault: 4 Common Exceptions
Proving you were not liable for a left-turn accident requires showing that the other driver did something negligent or illegal that made the crash unavoidable. Here are the four most common exceptions:
- The Oncoming Driver Was Speeding A driver can only yield to a hazard they can reasonably see and judge. If the oncoming driver was traveling at an excessive speed, it may have been impossible for the turning driver to correctly perceive the danger. In this case, a safe gap in traffic can become a deadly trap in an instant due to the other driver’s speeding.
- The Oncoming Driver Ran a Red Light or Stop Sign If you begin a “protected” left turn on a green arrow, you have the right-of-way. If an oncoming driver runs their red light and crashes into you, they are at fault. Similarly, if you are turning left from a stop sign, and an oncoming car with a stop sign fails to stop, they have violated your right-of-way.
- The Oncoming Driver Was Not Visible The duty to yield only applies to vehicles that are “close enough to constitute a hazard.” If the other driver was operating at night without their headlights on, or if your view was unavoidably obstructed, you can argue that you could not have reasonably seen them approaching.
- Another Party’s Actions Caused the Crash Sometimes, a third driver’s reckless behavior—like making an illegal lane change—can cause a chain reaction that results in a left-turn collision. In these complex cases, fault may lie with a driver who wasn’t directly involved in the final impact.
Is Your Left-Turn Accident Case Winnable?
The details of your accident matter. Was the other driver speeding? Were there independent witnesses? Answering a few simple questions can help you understand the strength of your case. Use our free and confidential “Do I Have a Case?” tool to get an instant assessment.
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What is “Cutting the Corner” and Why Is It Negligent?
“Cutting the corner” is a common and dangerous error where a driver makes a left turn too sharply, failing to stay in their own lane and veering into the path of other vehicles. This often happens at intersections with multiple left-turn lanes. This act is a clear form of negligence and can be used to establish the turning driver’s fault.
A Record of Success in Complex Turning Accidents: Our $100,000 Settlement
Proving fault in a turning accident requires a meticulous investigation. We represented a client who was part of a multi-car collision that began when another driver made an unsafe turning maneuver, setting off a chain reaction. By carefully analyzing the evidence and witness statements, we were able to pinpoint the initial negligent act and hold the correct driver accountable. This diligent approach was key to securing a $100,000 settlement for our client’s injuries and damages.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Left-Turn Accidents
Injured in a Left-Turn Crash? We Can Help With Your Claim
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen many types of left-turn crashes that impact victims’ lives. We have the experience and compassion to help you. Let’s get your case moving with a free left-turn accident case evaluation.
Contact the attorney team at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We handle many areas of personal injury law, including left-turn car accidents. We believe you should be able to focus on recovering from your accident while we handle the legal details. Call 877-380-8852 today for a free case evaluation.
