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Why Drivers Turning Left Are Often Found at Fault in Accidents

Posted by Julien Williams | Jan 29, 2025 | 0 Comments

When you're out on the road, it might seem as though taking a left turn, especially in the midst of a busy intersection, can create some of the most stressful driving scenarios. You're waiting in an intersection, trying to gauge the speed of oncoming vehicles and judging the appropriate moment to cross in front of them. Sometimes, everything goes smoothly. Other times, however, accidents occur—and more often than not, the driver turning left is deemed at fault. Here, we'll explore the reasons why a driver making a left turn is typically found at fault when a collision occurs with a vehicle traveling straight. We'll discuss the rules of right-of-way, the inherent risks of left turns, common mistakes made by drivers, and some practical tips to avoid accidents.

The Rules of Right-of-Way

In most jurisdictions, traffic laws explicitly state which vehicle has the right-of-way in common scenarios. When it comes to turns:

  • Oncoming Traffic Has Priority: Drivers traveling straight through an intersection (often in the opposite lane) have the right-of-way over vehicles that are turning left. In other words, if you're turning left, you must wait until there is no oncoming traffic close enough to pose a hazard.
  • Yielding Responsibility: Because the left-turning driver must yield to oncoming cars, any collision that occurs during that turn can be interpreted as a failure to yield. Legally, the responsibility often falls on the left-turning driver to ensure it is safe to cross.

This foundational aspect of traffic law is the primary reason left-turning drivers are found at fault so frequently. If you cause a collision while making a left turn, you have effectively violated a fundamental traffic rule by not yielding to the oncoming driver who has the right-of-way.

Perception and Judgment Errors

Even the most experienced drivers can make critical errors when they attempt a left turn, particularly in busy intersections or areas with heavy traffic flow. These errors include:

  1. Misjudging Speed and Distance: A common cause of left-turn accidents is underestimating how quickly the oncoming vehicle is traveling or overestimating how much time you have to complete your turn. Vehicles on straight paths can appear farther away or slower than they actually are, especially at night or in poor weather conditions.

  2. Blocked Visibility: Larger vehicles, such as trucks or buses, can obscure oncoming cars. If a driver tries to anticipate the traffic flow without actually seeing all lanes clearly, they risk colliding with a hidden oncoming car.

  3. Rushing Through Yellow Lights: Many accidents occur when a driver making a left turn tries to beat the yellow—or even red—light. In this scenario, a car traveling straight may also be accelerating to clear the intersection before the light changes. The converging speeds and limited reaction time make collisions extremely likely.

  4. Confusion About Turning Signals: In some intersections, there may be dedicated signals for left turns (green arrows), or the intersection might allow left turns on a standard green light once oncoming traffic is clear. Confusion about what each signal phase means can lead to risky decisions.

When these judgment errors occur, the legal outcome typically assigns fault to the person turning left, as it is their responsibility to maintain full awareness of oncoming traffic and to proceed only when it is unquestionably safe.

 

Higher Risk Associated with Left Turns

Aside from the legal framework that places accountability on left-turning drivers, there's also the reality that left turns are more dangerous. Studies and safety statistics repeatedly show that turning left is considerably riskier than turning right or going straight. Why is this?

  1. Crossing Multiple Lanes: A left turn usually requires crossing multiple lanes of oncoming traffic, raising the likelihood of encountering a vehicle you may not see in time. Even if you successfully judge the first oncoming lane, there might be vehicles in a second or third lane hidden behind other cars.

  2. Head-On Collision Potential: If a collision occurs, it often happens at or near the front of the vehicles. At higher speeds, head-on or near head-on crashes can result in severe damage and injuries. These types of impacts tend to lead to extensive fault determinations where the left-turning driver is held liable.

  3. Mental Load and Distraction: Making a left turn can be cognitively demanding—you might be checking traffic in multiple directions, looking for pedestrians, watching signals, and trying to gauge the intentions of other drivers simultaneously. Any lapse in concentration can lead to an accident.

Because of these heightened risks, insurance companies and law enforcement tend to scrutinize left-turn collisions more closely. The presumption is often that the left-turning driver either misjudged the situation or violated the right-of-way.

Exceptions to the General Rule

While it's true that drivers turning left are often found at fault, there are a few scenarios in which the driver traveling straight might bear some or all of the liability:

  1. Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: If the driver going straight blatantly runs a red light or a stop sign, they may be partially or fully responsible for the collision, even if the other driver was turning left.

  2. Excessive Speeding: If the oncoming vehicle is traveling significantly over the speed limit, this can alter the typical fault determination. It might be argued that the left-turning driver was unable to accurately predict the speed and the collision was, at least in part, caused by the other driver's reckless behavior.

  3. Impairment or Distraction: If the driver going straight is found to be driving under the influence or was distracted by texting or other activities, liability can shift. Evidence such as police reports, dashcam footage, or witness statements can demonstrate that the straight-traveling driver contributed to the accident.

It's important to remember that fault determinations can be complex, and multiple factors can influence how fault is assigned. However, in the majority of situations where none of these extenuating circumstances are present, the driver turning left is presumed to be at fault.

Preventing Left-Turn Collisions

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the chance of accidents, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk when making a left turn:

  1. Wait for a Green Arrow When Possible: If there's a traffic signal with a dedicated left-turn arrow, use it. This significantly reduces the chance of misjudging oncoming traffic or rushing into a turn.

  2. Choose Safer Routes: In some cases, making a left turn is inevitable. However, when there are alternatives, you might choose a route with fewer left turns, or where left turns can be made at intersections with protected signals.

  3. Be Patient and Vigilant: Resist the urge to rush. Ensure you have a clear view of all lanes of oncoming traffic before initiating the turn. If visibility is limited, inch forward carefully until you can see around obstructions, and check repeatedly for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

  4. Use Turn Signals Early: Signal your intentions well in advance so that vehicles around you can anticipate your move. Clear communication on the road allows other drivers to adjust their speed or lane position accordingly.

  5. Assess Speed Accurately: Practice estimating speeds and distances. If you're ever in doubt about whether you can complete the turn safely, wait for another cycle of the traffic light or for oncoming traffic to clear completely.

  6. Avoid Distractions: Keep your focus on the road. Put away cell phones and any other distractions that might pull your attention from the crucial task of gauging oncoming traffic.

The Legal Perspective

From a legal standpoint, collisions involving left-turning drivers and straight-traveling vehicles often hinge on a single question: Did the left-turn driver fail to yield? If the answer is “yes,” the outcome is relatively straightforward. Insurance adjusters, police officers, and even witnesses typically look at whether the straight-traveling vehicle had a clear and obvious right-of-way.

In many cases, the burden is on the turning driver to prove that the other driver was doing something wrong—speeding excessively, running a red light, driving distracted—to avoid fault. If you find yourself in such a situation, documented evidence (like traffic cameras or dashcam footage) and witness statements can be invaluable.

At the end of the day, accidents happen. But with cautious driving habits and an understanding of your responsibilities, you can help minimize the chances of being involved in a left-turn crash. By remaining patient, vigilant, and informed about your local traffic laws, you not only protect yourself and your vehicle—you also do your part to keep the roads safer for everyone.

If you have been involved in an accident where a left turn was a factor, it's always wise to consult a legal professional to understand your rights and obligations. Fault determination can be complex, but awareness of the key principles—right-of-way laws, speed judgments, and clear signaling—can go a long way in establishing a fair and just outcome.

About the Author

Julien Williams

Managing Partner at Brown & Williams

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