You’re driving through Los Angeles, the light turns green, and you start your left turn.
Suddenly,, another car slams into you, and in seconds, you’re hurt, your vehicle is wrecked, and everyone is arguing about fault.
In almost everyleft-turn car accident, someone will say, “The left-turn driver is always at fault.”
But that’s not always true under California law, and if you assume it is, you could be giving up money you’re legally entitled to.
An experiencedcar accident lawyer fromLA Injury Lawyers can help you understandwho’s really responsible and how to protect your claim after a left-turn crash.
How Fault Works in a Left-Turn Car Accident in California
California has specific rules about left turns and the duty to yield.
Those rules are a big part ofdetermining fault in car accident left-turn cases, but they’re not the whole story.
Under California Vehicle Code § 21801, a driver turning left or making a U-turn mustyield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard. Only when it’s safe can the driver complete the turn.
At the same time, all drivers on the road have a general duty to use reasonable care under California Civil Code § 1714. That includes not speeding, not running red lights, and not driving distracted, even if they technically have the right of way.
So, the fault for acar accident at a left turn doesn’t automatically fall 100% on the turning driver.
Both drivers’ actions can be examined and compared.
When the Left-Turn Driver Is Likely at Fault
In many cases, the left-turning driver will bear most of the blame in aleft-turn car accident.
This usually happens when they clearly broke the rules for yielding, such as:
- Turning left across traffic when oncoming cars are very close
- “Beating the light” by turning late on yellow or into red
- Turning without a protected green arrow when it isn’t safe
- Misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles
If the left-turn driver violatedVehicle Code § 21801 and caused the collision, that violation can be strong evidence of negligence.
Still, even when the left-turn driver made a mistake, the other driver’s behavior matters too.
When the Oncoming Driver May Share or Bear Fault
A big part ofdetermining fault in a car accident is asking what theoncoming driver was doing.
They might share fault or even be primarily responsible if they were:
- Speeding significantly over the limit
- Running ared light or ignoring a traffic signal
- Texting, on the phone, or otherwise distracted
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Swerving or weaving through traffic aggressively
Even if you were the one turning left, the other driver’s dangerous behavior can shift or share fault.
Under California’scomparative negligence system, both drivers’ actions are weighed, and fault is assigned in percentages.
For example:
- You might be found 30% at fault for misjudging the turn.
- The oncoming driver might be 70% at fault for speeding and running a red light.
You could still recover 70% of your damages—even as the left-turning driver.
Evidence That Helps Prove Fault in a Left Turn Car Accident
Because everyone tends to point fingers, thefault in car accident left-turn cases is all about evidence.
Valuable evidence can include:
- Police report – notes on signals, skid marks, and any traffic tickets
- Traffic or dashcam videos – showing the light sequence and timing of the turn
- Witness statements – from drivers, passengers, or pedestrians
- Vehicle damage patterns – where each car was hit and how hard
- Event data recorders (black boxes) – sometimes showing speed and braking.
ALos Angeles car accident lawyer fromLA Injury Lawyers can move quickly to preserve video footage and gather witness contact information before it disappears.
Common Scenarios in Left-Turn Crashes
Left Turn on a Green Light (No Arrow)
This is one of the most common setups forleft-turn car accidents.
You have a solid green, and so does oncoming traffic.
You must yield until it’s safe to turn.
However, if the oncoming car isspeeding or runs a late red, they may share significant fault.
Left Turn on a Green Arrow
With a protected arrow, you usually have the right of way.
If an oncoming driverruns a red or turns right on red without looking and hits you, they may be primarily at fault.
Left Turn From a Driveway or Side Street
When turning left out of a driveway or side street, you must yield to all traffic on the main road.
But if someone on the main road is speeding, drunk, or using their phone, they may still share responsibility if they could have avoided the crash by driving carefully.
How California’s Comparative Negligence Rules Affect Your Case
California usespure comparative negligence, which means each person can recover based on the other party’s share of fault, even if they were also negligent.
In acar accident fault left turn case, you might still be able to recover money if:
- You turned a bit too early,and
- The other driver was speeding or ran a red light,and
- Their behavior was a significant factor in the crash.
Your percentage of fault will reduce your financial recovery, but it’s rarely “all or nothing.”
This is why you should never assume you “have no case” just because you were turning left.
What to Do After a Left Turn Car Accident
Right after a crash, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Here are practical steps to protect both your health and your future claim:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Get medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor at first.
- Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicles, skid marks, and traffic signals.
- Get contact info for the other driver and all witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault or saying things like “I shouldn’t have turned.”
- Contact LA Injury Lawyers before giving a recorded statement to insurance.
Small details—like where the cars ended up or whether the light was stale yellow—can make a massive difference indetermining fault in car accident left-turn disputes.
How a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Builds Your Left-Turn Case
A left-turn crash can quickly turn into a “he said, she said” battle.
An experienced lawyer helps by turning facts into proof.
AtLA Injury Lawyers, a car accident lawyer can:
- Reconstruct the crash using photos, videos, and expert analysis
- Obtain traffic camera or surveillance footage before it’s erased.
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to show speeds, positions, and timing.g
- Use traffic laws, such asVehicle Code § 21801, to show how the other driver failed to yield or drove unsafely.
- Gather medical evidence to show how the impact caused your injuries.
- Negotiate with insurance companies that try to blame you simply for turning left.t
If needed, we’re ready to file a lawsuit and present your case to a jury, explaining why the other driver is entirely or mainly responsible under California law.
Unsure Who’s Really at Fault in Your Left-Turn Crash?
If you were involved in aleft-turn car accident and everyone is blaming you, don’t assume they’re right.
Reach out toLA Injury Lawyers for afree, no-obligation consultation.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can review the evidence, explain your options, and help you fight back against unfair assumptions about left-turn fault.
Get Clarity on Left-Turn Fault Before You Give Up
Left-turn crashes are complicated, emotional, and often painful.
But you don’t have to accept the automatic assumption that the left-turn driver is always wrong.
If you’ve been involved in aleft-turn car accident in Los Angeles,LA Injury Lawyers is ready to help.
Let an experiencedLos Angeles car accident lawyer dig into the facts, apply the law, and fight for the compensation you deserve—with no upfront fees and no risk to you.
FAQs: Fault in Left-Turn Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Is the left-turn driver always at fault?
No.
The left-turn driver often carries much of the blame, but not always.
If the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, or ran a red light, they may share or carry most of the fault.
How is fault determined in a left-turn car accident?
Determining fault in car accident left-turn cases usually involves looking at:
- Traffic signals and who had the right of way
- Whether the left-turn driver yielded properly
- Whether the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, or impaired
- Physical evidence, like skid marks and vehicle damage
Police reports, witness statements, and video are key.
What if both drivers say the light was green?
Conflicting stories are familiar.
Your lawyer can look for camera footage, event data recorders, and independent witnesses to show what really happened.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for turning too early?
Often, yes.
Under California’s comparative negligence rules, you can still recover money reduced by your percentage of fault.
Don’t give up on your case without talking to an attorney.
How long do I have to file a claim after a left-turn car accident?
In many cases, you generally havetwo years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations.
But special deadlines may apply, especially if a government vehicle is involved, so it’s smart to get legal advice quickly.