Turning left typically requires crossing one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. A driver who fails to make sure the intersection is clear before turning, misjudges the speed of oncoming vehicles, or proceeds without the right of way can cause a crash.
In a collision resulting from an attempted left turn, the driver who was making a left turn is often considered at fault for the accident.
In Nevada, right-of-way laws require drivers who are turning left to wait until there is sufficient room to cross safely in front of any oncoming cars or wait until they have passed before turning.
Left-hand turn errors that result in T-bone accidents and similar collisions can cause serious injuries to people in either vehicle. If you have been injured in a crash caused by a driver making a left turn, you should explore your legal options with a knowledgeable Las Vegas accident attorney.
As a crash victim, you may have a right to seek compensation for their medical bills and other losses from the driver who was at fault.
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we help car accident victims in Las Vegas and surrounding areas of Nevada pursue compensation after car accidents caused by other people.
Give us a call to talk with a knowledgeable lawyer now if you’ve been injured in a car accident that was not your fault. We’re available 24 hours a day to help and are committed to do What’s Right for you.
Left Turn Accident Statistics
Most left turn accidents occur at intersections. They can also happen when pulling out of driveways or parking lots.
A federal study of intersection accidents found that in 22% of accidents at intersections, the first major cause was a left turn. Another federal study about making intersections safer says 60% of accidents at an intersection studied for a year were caused by left turns.
The study of intersection accidents says that crashes at intersections while turning left may be attributed to a driver’s:
- inadequate attention
- turning with an obstructed view
- misjudgment of the gap between vehicles or the speed of oncoming vehicles
- mistaken assumption about another driver’s action
- external distraction
From 2015 to 2019, the state recorded 477 fatal intersection crashes on Nevada roadways. The crashes claimed 511 lives, according to Zero Fatalities Nevada. Almost 80 percent of them (381) occurred in Clark County. Intersection accidents account for 32% of all Nevada car accident fatalities.
Males ages 21 to 25 made up the largest age group of at-fault drivers in fatal intersection crashes in Nevada in the five years surveyed.
Also in Nevada:
- 45% of fatal intersection crashes involved a motor vehicle hitting another motor vehicle in a T-bone or broadside crash
- 50% of all fatal intersection crashes took place at night
- 31% of fatal intersection crashes occurred on the weekends
Who Is At-Fault in a Left Turn Accident?
In most cases, a left-hand turn accident is considered a failure to yield right of way. The driver who fails to yield while attempting a left turn is considered at fault. But that is not always the case.
In a left-turn accident, the driver of the car passing through the intersection may be at fault for a variety of reasons:
- Running a red light or stop sign — In this case, the driver who ran the red light failed to yield right of way and caused the accident
- Speeding — If the driver had not been speeding, he or she would not have been in the intersection when the other driver attempted the left-hand turn
- Driving distracted — A driver who was on the phone, texting while driving, or otherwise distracted might have avoided the collision if he or she was paying attention
- Driving while impaired — If a driver had been drinking, using drugs, or was fatigued, that impairment may have contributed to the driver’s inability to avoid the accident
It is important to identify who was at fault for a left turn accident in Nevada because of Nevada’s modified comparative fault rule. Under this rule, a jury hearing a personal injury claim must consider how much the injured party may have contributed to the accident and resulting injury.
If an injured driver contributed in any way to the accident, the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each motorist and the amount of money the accident victim is eligible to receive is reduced proportionately to their degree of fault.
The plaintiff in a claim may recover compensation as long as he or she is less than 50% at fault for the accident. If a person is found to be 50% or more at fault, however, they are barred from collecting anything from another at-fault party.
How To Win a Left-Turn Accident Claim
Either driver involved in a left turn accident may bear responsibility for the crash. This makes it easier for insurance companies to deny claims or reduce any settlement payout they might offer.
While the doctrine of modified comparative fault is officially only a part of jury deliberations, an insurance adjuster may contend you were partly at fault and offer a reduced settlement offer.
To recover compensation after a left-turn accident, you need to provide evidence of the other driver’s fault and be prepared to mitigate the impact of any evidence against you. The Las Vegas car accident attorneys of Sam & Ash Injury Law can negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf.
We can investigate the accident you were in and gather evidence to build a persuasive case. When necessary, we work with respected accident reconstruction professionals who can pinpoint exactly what happened to cause a crash.
We will compile a strong case to present to insurers along with your demands for fair compensation. We will be prepared to file a formal lawsuit on your behalf and prevail in court if insurers will not act in good faith.
Because each left-turn accident case has unique contributing factors, it is worth your time to discuss your claim with an experienced car accident attorney.
The attorneys at Sam & Ash will review your case and discuss your legal options for free. We do not charge a legal fee until we recover compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award.
Schedule a Meeting with Our Car Accident Attorneys Today
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we focus on making sure you get the best advice for your specific situation. We’ll put you and your needs first to build a strong case for the full compensation you deserve. Contact us now.
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