There are many circumstances in which the driver who is performing a left turn that resulted in a collision is at fault. This is because most states enforce a law that declares that drivers making left-hand turns must yield to oncoming vehicles.
Oncoming vehicles have the right of way if there are no stop signs or traffic lights. However, there are some situations in which the driver who turned left and was in a collision as a result is not found at fault.
In this article, we explore:
- Who is at fault in left-hand turn collisions
- Why left-hand turns are dangerous
- Instances in which a driver making a left-hand turn may not be at fault
- What to do after a left-hand collision
Florin|Roebig is a personal injury law firm dedicated to helping those who have been involved in car accidents, such as left-turn auto accidents. If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today for a free case consultation.
What To Know About Fault In Left-Turn Accidents in Florida
Most states impose traffic laws that require drivers making left-hand turns to yield to oncoming traffic.
Negligence can play a major role in determining liability for both your insurance company and the police investigating the accident. Negligence can include driving while distracted, such as texting or messing with your car’s radio or blatantly ignoring the rules of the road.
Finding out who is considered liable for the accident is critical to your insurance company’s fulfillment of your policy. The police will determine who was at fault for the accident by collecting evidence from the scene, such as videos, tire marks, eyewitnesses, and more.
If you need to file a personal injury claim due to a left-turn accident, your Florin|Roebig attorney will need to know who is found to be at fault. This will determine the direction of your left turn accident case.
If you have any questions about left-turn accidents, including who is considered at fault in your case, you need a knowledgeable attorney. Florin|Roebig is a personal injury law firm with nearly four decades of experience in managing car accident claims. For a free case review, call us today.
Why Are Left-Hand Turns Dangerous?
Making a left-hand turn while driving in Florida can be a very dangerous and tricky maneuver. This type of turn requires several judgment calls that must be made quickly.
These judgment calls can include how fast oncoming traffic is going, the amount of time left before a red light turns yellow or to a green arrow, and whether other drivers are driving safely and following the rules of the road.
According to Tommy Roebig, a triple board-certified attorney at Florin|Roebig,
“Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of left-turn accidents. It is important to be aware of your surroundings while driving to prevent accidents.”
Additional reasons why making left-hand turns can be dangerous can include the following:
- Left-hand turns require more mental energy than right turns, so making a left turn when tired, distracted, or intoxicated can be especially hazardous.
- Left-hand turns require drivers to cross at least one lane of traffic.
- Making a left-hand turn can disturb the flow of traffic.
- Drivers making a left-hand turn may have a blocked or limited view of traffic coming from the opposite direction.
- Many drivers accelerate when making left turns, so a collision with pedestrians or other vehicles can be more dangerous than a right-hand turn.
- Left-hand turns require drivers to use their turn signals, which is something that not everyone does.
- Left-hand turning requires drivers to be aware of oncoming drivers coming from three different directions.
As you can see, making a left-hand turn requires significant mental and physical effort as well as quick judgment when compared to right-hand turns. All of the factors listed above put motorists at risk for left-turn car accidents.
Left-Turn Accident Statistics
Left-turn accident statistics include the following:
- There were 12 fatal accidents involving disregarded road signs and traffic lights in 2022.
- 35 accidents caused by not following road signs or traffic lights involved no incapacitating injuries.
- In 2022, there were 453 accident fatalities involved in failure to yield the right of way.
- There were a total of 16,550 non-incapacitating accidents caused by drivers failing to yield.
Left turns can be difficult or even dangerous at times, and if you feel that someone was negligent or responsible for your accident by failing to yield, you need an attorney who understands. Contact the dedicated lawyers of Florin|Roebig today for a free case review.
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When Is The Left-Turn Driver Not At Fault?
While every crash is different and has a unique set of circumstances, there are a few situations in which the driver who made the left-hand turn in a car crash would not be considered at fault.
While these situations are not common, they do happen from time to time. The following are a few typical reasons why the turning driver may not be considered liable for a left-hand turn accident.
Running Through A Stop Sign Or Traffic Light
The most common reason a left-turn driver is not held liable for a collision is that the oncoming vehicle the driver collides with drives through a stop sign or traffic light.
For example, if you make a left-hand turn assuming that oncoming traffic will yield to a traffic light and an oncoming vehicle does not yield and hits you as you are making the left-hand turn, you may not be considered at fault for the accident.
Speeding
Another situation in which a left-hand turning driver may not be at fault is when oncoming traffic is moving too fast in the area where the driver is making the turn.
If the vehicle the driver collides with is driving significantly over the speed limit when the accident happens, the driver may not be considered liable. However, proving how fast the oncoming traffic was traveling at the time of the collision can be difficult.
Dangerous Driving
In any other situation in which the driver turning left presumed it safe to turn and then was involved in a collision due to the oncoming driver making traffic violations, the driver may be deemed not at fault, but the driver who violated traffic laws is at fault.
Additionally, if the other oncoming driver (who is not making the left-hand turn) is driving illegally, dangerously, or under the influence, the driver making the left-hand turn may not be held liable.
Unforeseen Circumstances
Another possibility that may result in the other driver being found liable for the collision would be if an unforeseen circumstance occurs while the left-hand driver is turning.
For instance, if an animal runs into the road and the car making a left turn has to stop or slow down to avoid hitting the animal, the oncoming vehicle that crashes into the driver could be held liable for the accident.
If you or a family member have been involved in a left-turn accident and you are unsure who should be considered at fault, or you disagree with the police’s findings, contact Florin|Roebig. Our attorneys will examine your case and give you a legal opinion on your options.
How To Properly Make A Left Turn
Many drivers only need to take a driver’s test once, and this can lead to motorists forgetting or growing too comfortable with the rules of the road.
For those who are out and about on the roads of Florida, it is important to refresh your memory on how to perform a left turn properly. This can help prevent you from becoming the responsible party in a left-turn accident.
Here are the steps to keep in mind when making a left-hand turn:
- Turn on your signal approximately 100 feet before you get to the point where you’ll make the left-hand turn.
- Stop your vehicle behind the limit line (not on or over it).
- Look both ways: When making a complete stop, look to the left, right, and then to the left one more time.
- Ensure there is no oncoming traffic or other hazards that may result in an accident when making the turn.
- Do not try to corner-cut the lane of oncoming traffic.
What Are Your Legal Options If You Were Hit By A Driver Turning Left?
For those who have been involved in a left-turn accident, there are legal options available. The best way to ensure you have a chance to receive compensation for any injuries or property damage to your vehicle is to start a personal injury claim case.
Personal injury claims allow you to seek money for damages resulting from the collision, such as payments for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other types of damages.
In order to start a personal injury case, a personal injury lawyer can offer you or your loved one a free consultation to discuss the accident you were involved in and whether you could benefit from starting a claim.
Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers are premier personal injury attorneys in Florida and throughout the United States. With years of experience, we can help you seek maximum compensation for your case. Call our number to get started on your claim today.
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What To Do If You’ve Been In A Left-Turn Car Accident
If you have been involved in a left-turn accident in Florida, you may be shaken up and not sure what to do next. The following is a step-by-step guide on what to do following an auto accident.
- Check yourself for injuries: It is important to make sure you and anyone else in your car are not seriously injured.
- Move your car from the road: If it is possible, move your car out of traffic so that you do not block the roadway.
- Contact the police: If there were no injuries, you could call the non-emergency line for police. However, 911 is always an option.
- Seek medical attention: It is important to get checked out by emergency medical technicians to ensure you do not have any “hidden” injuries and to have minor injuries examined.
- Collect evidence: It is important to gather evidence while you are still on the scene of the accident. Take pictures of your car, your injuries, injuries to your passengers, and the accident scene (including anything that could have caused the accident, such as things blocking your view).
- Exchange information with the other driver: You will need to exchange contact information with the other driver involved in the accident. This includes name, insurance policy information, phone number, and license plate numbers.
- Contact your Florin|Roebig attorney: Even if everything goes well, it is important to have your attorney involved from the beginning. If things ever take a turn, your attorney will be ready to jump in.
Tommy Roebig, personal injury and car accident lawyer at Florin|Roebig, advises that
“Contacting an accident attorney as soon as possible can help to ensure that a future car accident claim or personal injury claim has a solid foundation, which can make full compensation more likely.”
Florin|Roebig: Top-Rated Left-Turn Accident Attorneys In Florida
If you were hit by a driver turning left and they were the at-fault driver, you may be feeling shaken up and stressed by everything that needs to be done. To help alleviate the stress of an accident, contact Florin|Roebig law firm as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
Our experienced attorneys are the top personal injury lawyers in Florida, backed by numerous testimonials from satisfied clients. We have secured more than $1 billion in case awards to date.
According to Newsweek, we are considered one of the Best Law Firms in America, and we want to use our knowledge and skill set on your case. If you have been impacted by a left-turn accident, reach out to us today for a case review to learn what we can do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most frequently asked questions by people in Florida who have been involved in left-turn accidents.
What Is An Unprotected Left Turn?
Unprotected left turns are turns that you make into an intersection where oncoming cars have the right of way.
Note: This includes turning at a traffic light that only has a green light, not the green arrow meant for left-turning drivers.
How Do You Know Who’s At Fault In A Left-Turn Car Accident?
Several different factors determine who is at fault in left-turn crashes. After an accident occurs, police officers on the scene will likely file police reports, which may serve as evidence to help determine fault if a personal injury claim results from the accident.
Other factors which may be considered to help determine fault in crashes include:
- Traffic violations: Any driver who committed a traffic violation that led to an accident could be considered an at-fault driver.
- Property damage: Damage to vehicles involved in the accident could provide evidence for how the crash occurred and, therefore, who is at fault.
- Traffic cameras: Stationed at many intersections, traffic cameras may have captured the crash.
- Eyewitness accounts: While not always reliable, eyewitness statements can offer detailed accounts of car accidents.
- Skid marks: Tire tread marks may point to how a crash occurred.
Is it my fault for turning?
In Florida, drivers typically only have the right of way if they have a green arrow, so usually, the driver turning left is considered at fault for the accident.
Who is at fault when a car turns left and collides with a car trying to pass in Florida?
In this specific type of accident, the driver turning left is generally considered at fault. It is important for drivers who are turning left to be aware of everything in their surroundings.
Who is usually ticketed in a car crash?
Typically, the driver who acted negligently is going to be considered at fault for a crash in Florida. This means the driver who fails to yield or runs a red light is going to be responsible for the collision.
