Left turn accidents in Arizona are among the most common and most serious types of intersection crashes, and the question of who is at fault is not always as simple as it seems. Many people assume the driver making the left turn is automatically responsible, and in many cases that driver does carry most of the blame. However, the facts of each crash matter, and the other driver’s speed, attention, and actions may also play a role. Understanding how fault is decided can help you protect yourself if you were hurt in one of these collisions. You can learn more about how our firm handles these cases on our auto accidents page.
Arizona law generally requires a driver turning left at an intersection or into a driveway to yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be an immediate hazard. This means the turning driver has a duty to wait until there is a safe gap before crossing the path of approaching vehicles. When a turning driver misjudges the speed or distance of an oncoming car, pulls out without looking carefully, or tries to beat the light, the result is often a violent crash where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of the other. Because the turning driver had a duty to yield, insurance companies often start with the assumption that they are at fault.
That assumption is not always correct. The driver going straight also has a duty to drive safely, and there are situations where that driver may share responsibility or even carry most of the blame. If the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a red light, was distracted by a phone, or was driving at night without headlights, the turning driver may not have had a fair chance to see them coming. In these cases, evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, and data from the vehicles themselves may help show what really happened.
Flashing yellow arrows add another layer to these cases. Many intersections across the Phoenix area use flashing yellow left turn arrows, which allow drivers to turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Some drivers treat a flashing yellow arrow as a protected turn, which may lead to a crash. On the other hand, a driver turning on a solid green arrow generally has the right of way, and an oncoming driver who runs a red light and hits them may be the one at fault. The signal each driver had at the moment of the crash is often one of the most important facts in the case.
Left turn crashes may also involve pedestrians and cyclists. A driver turning left is often focused on oncoming cars and may fail to notice someone walking in the crosswalk or riding a bicycle across the intersection. Drivers generally must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when they have the signal to cross, and a turning driver who fails to do so may be responsible for the injuries that result. You can read more in our post about pedestrian accidents in Phoenix.
Arizona follows a pure comparative fault rule, which may matter a great deal in left turn cases. Under this rule, each driver’s share of responsibility is measured as a percentage, and any compensation is reduced by the injured person’s own share of the fault. This means that even if you were the driver turning left, you may still be able to recover compensation if the other driver was also partly responsible, such as by speeding through the intersection. Insurance companies may try to place as much fault on you as possible to reduce what they pay, which is why a careful look at the evidence matters.
Injuries from left turn accidents may be serious because these crashes often involve side impacts, where there is less of the vehicle between the occupant and the other car. Common injuries include broken bones, head injuries, neck and back injuries, and injuries to the chest and hips. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, future medical care, and compensation for pain and the disruption the accident caused in your life.
If you were involved in a left turn crash, there are a few steps that may help protect your claim. Get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine at first, since some injuries may not show symptoms right away. If you are able to do so safely, take photos of the vehicles, the intersection, and the traffic signals, and get contact information from any witnesses. Note the location and time of the crash, since nearby businesses or traffic cameras may have footage that is erased after a short period. Keep in mind that Arizona generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The Law Office of Douglas Loefgren represents people injured in left turn accidents throughout the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. We work to uncover the facts of each crash and push back when an insurance company tries to place unfair blame on our clients. We handle these cases on contingency, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. If you or someone you love was hurt in a left turn accident, contact us today for a free consultation.