The driver making the left-hand turn must yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding. If they enter the intersection and cause a left turn car accident, the driver turning left is at fault. However, there are exceptions where fault may be shared or even placed fully on the other driver. If you have suffered injuries in a left-hand turn accident, aFort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can provide guidance and more. They can determine who was at fault and help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Determining Fault in a Left Turn Car Accident
UnderFlorida Statutes § 316.122, drivers making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. This includes anypedestrians in the crosswalk. Any resulting accident would place the fault on the left-turning driver.
As stated, there are exceptions to this general rule:
The Other Driver’s Negligence
If the oncoming driver was negligent, they may bear some or all the fault for the accident. Such negligent driving includes:
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Distracted
- Impaired
These behaviors are unfortunately common on Fort Lauderdale’s busy roads such as Broward Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, and Federal Highway. If the driver who struck you was violating a traffic law or driving recklessly, their negligence could shift or share liability, even if you were making the turn.
Distracted driving, in particular, plays a significant role in intersection collisions. If the at-fault driver was texting, using GPS, or eating at the time of the crash, their distraction may serve as a basis for reducing your degree of fault. We often obtain phone records or surveillance footage to support these findings.
Left Turn Green Arrow
Also referred to as a protected left-turn signal, if the left-turn driver had the right of way via a green arrow traffic signal, the other driver running the red light into the intersection would be at fault.
Signal-controlled intersections are common across South Florida. If the at-fault driver ignored a red light or failed to observe a left-turn yield-on-green rule, liability shifts dramatically. In such cases, proving the status of the traffic signal at the moment of impact is critical.
Dashcam videos, nearby business surveillance, or traffic signal timing records can all help establish right-of-way. Our firm moves quickly to preserve this evidence before it’s lost or overwritten.
Defensive Maneuvers
If a sudden and unexpected obstruction, such as a child running across the intersection or cargo falling off the back of a truck, caused the left-turning driver to make a sudden maneuver to avoid hitting the obstruction but still resulted in an accident with another party, then the left-turn driver’s liability could be reduced or shifted.
In these cases, your attorney can argue that your actions were taken in good faith to avoid a greater harm. While rare, these defensive situations can demonstrate that your turn was not reckless, but a reaction to a fast-moving hazard outside your control.
It’s also worth examining whether a third party was responsible, such as the commercial truck that dropped unsecured cargo or the city entity that failed to maintain signage. These factors may open additional avenues for compensation.
How Comparative Negligence Laws May Apply to Your Car Accident
When another driver or party has contributed to the car accident, fault in the left turn car accident may be shared. In some instances, it could completely shift to the other party.
Florida’s modified comparative fault statute is found underFlorida Statutes § 768.81. Per the law, fault is distributed among all parties who contributed to the accident. A percentage of fault is determined for each party, which affects how much they may receive. For example, if the left-turning driver was 40% at fault in a $100,000 accident, they would receive $60,000.
If they are found to be greater than 50% at fault, they may not receive any compensation. Insurance companies are aware of this law and may use it to devalue or deny claims. OurFort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can protect you from these tactics.
Proving that the other driver was more than 50% responsible becomes key to recovering full compensation. We help clients by documenting injuries, securing witness accounts, and obtaining professional analyses from accident reconstruction experts. These efforts aim to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of the crash.
Liability Factors Unique to Left Turn Car Accident
Left turn car accidents have unique dynamics that differ from other types of collisions. When investigating fault, we often examine:
- Whether the intersection had left-turn only lanes or signals
- The visibility of the driver and the presence of blind spots or obstructed views
- Whether either vehicle was accelerating, braking, or changing lanes during the crash
- Whether a pedestrian or a cyclist contributed to the sequence of events
These details can tip the balance of liability and play a key role in recovering damages. Your attorney will also determine whether traffic conditions, lighting, or road signage created any unusual risks at the time of the accident.
Choose a Legal Team That Delivers Proven Results
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we understand how complicated left-turn accidents can be, and how insurance companies often rush to assign blame to the turning driver. Our team works tirelessly to investigate all sides of your case, and we’re known for fighting and winning even the toughest claims.
With over 20 years of experience handling car accident cases in South Florida, we’ve secured multi-million-dollar outcomes for clients:
- $3.85 million truck rollover settlement
- $5.25 million wrongful death recovery from a truck crash
- $925,000 for a negligent security shooting injury
Our approach includes in-depth evidence gathering, expert consultations, and aggressive negotiation. If needed, we are prepared to take your case to court.
We also investigate whether improper vehicle removal, towing errors, or delayed medical attention played a role in harming your claim. Every factor matters—and we cover them all.
Don’t Accept Blame for Your Left Turn Car Accident
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for a free consultation on your left-turn car accident case. We can investigate the accident and gather evidence to determine who was responsible for the incident. Our legal team can develop your claim, explain your legal options, and advocate for a fair settlement on your behalf against insurance companies. And if we cannot reach a fair settlement, we’ll be prepared to represent you at trial.
Call us today at (954) 633-8270.