Who Is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident in California?

Left-turn collisions are some of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents. Turning left is one of the most dangerous maneuvers drivers make because they are cutting across traffic heading in a different direction. If drivers are not cautious, they can hit an oncoming car and suffer serious or even life-threatening injuries.

Sometimes, determining who should be held liable for the damages caused by a left-turn accident may be complicated. A thorough investigation may be required, which is why victims of these crashes need an attorney with the resources and experience to help prove the other driver should be held liable for the crash.

Our Sacramento car accident lawyers at Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys are prepared to help you through every step of the legal process, pursuing maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. The consultation is free and there are no fees while we work on your claim.

Below, we discuss some of the factors that should be considered when determining liability for these types of collisions.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A LEFT TURN ACCIDENT IN CALIFORNIA

The steps you take after a left-turn crash can affect your safety, your legal case, and your ability to recover compensation. Acting quickly and carefully helps protect your health and your rights.

• Get medical care right away, even if your injuries seem minor
• Call the police and ask for an official accident report
• Take photos of the scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and nearby signs or signals
• Speak with witnesses and write down their names and contact information
• Avoid making any statements that could be taken as admitting fault
• Reach out to a California car accident lawyer with experience handling left-turn cases

An attorney can help guide you through what comes next and make sure the evidence works in your favor from the start.

WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY DURING A LEFT TURN CRASH?

Left turns are dangerous because you do not have the right of way and are cutting across oncoming traffic that is often moving at 35 or 40 miles per hour or even faster. Oncoming drivers have the right of way and the driver making the left turn does not.

Left turns are also dangerous because your view of traffic may be obstructed, such as by drivers turning left on the other side of the intersection.

In California, the law specifies that drivers attempting a left-hand turn must yield to oncoming traffic except in certain circumstances. When you are making a U-turn, you are also required to yield to drivers who are attempting to turn right.

Drivers need to be sure they have enough time to get through the intersection without obstructing traffic. Drivers who are traveling through the intersection in the opposite direction are following the rules of the road, provided they are not speeding, distracted or attempting to change lanes in the middle of the intersection. That is why left-turning drivers are often found at fault for crashes.

FACTORS THAT MAY SHIFT LIABILITY

There are some situations where an oncoming driver may be held partially responsible for a crash. Even though oncoming drivers have the right of way, they are still required to obey other traffic laws and avoid reckless driving.

For example, oncoming drivers may bear some fault for a left-turn crash if they were doing any of the following things:

There are also some unforeseen circumstances that may affect how liability is determined in a left-turn accident. For example, there may have been pedestrians in a crosswalk or other obstructions on the road that may have prevented a left-turning driver from completing the maneuver.

If you were the victim in the crash, but it was caused by the negligence of an oncoming driver, you need experienced legal help to validate your case. For example, you need an attorney who knows how to gather evidence that the oncoming driver was speeding or distracted.

Investigating this situation can be complicated and you need an attorney with the resources and knowledge to build a strong case as you seek full compensation for your damages.

CAN I STILL RECOVER COMPENSATION IF I AM FOUND PARTIALLY LIABLE?

In some situations, the fault may be assigned to multiple parties, including the left-turning driver and an on-coming vehicle. When this occurs, your compensation award may be reduced by your percentage of fault, as stated in California’s pure comparative negligence law.

For example, if you are found to have been 10 percent at fault for a left turn crash and you seek $100,000 in compensation, your recovery would be reduced by $10,000.

CALIFORNIA LEFT TURN LAWS EXPLAINED

In California, drivers making a left turn are required to wait until it’s completely safe before crossing oncoming traffic. This is a clear rule under California left turn law, and it’s one of the most common issues in intersection collisions. The driver turning left has to yield—not just to cars but to pedestrians and cyclists, too. Unless there’s a green arrow or other protected signal, that turn must be made with extra caution.

Accidents happen when the turning driver misjudges the speed of oncoming traffic or tries to rush through before the light changes. Visibility can also play a role. Parked cars, trees, or larger vehicles can make it hard to see what’s coming, especially at busy intersections. U-turns during left turns can make matters worse, especially when traffic is heavy.

In some cases, both drivers share blame. Under the rules of comparative fault car accident in California, each party’s actions are weighed to decide how much they’re responsible for. That’s why understanding the facts of the crash is so important from the start

California Vehicle Code and Left Turns

Before figuring out who’s responsible, you need to know what the traffic rules say. California law lays out clear steps drivers must follow when making a left turn:

What the Law Requires

Under California law, any driver making a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway has a legal duty to wait until it’s safe. This includes giving the right of way to oncoming vehicles and yielding to traffic already in or close to the intersection. These left turn intersection rules in California are meant to prevent collisions caused by rushed or risky decisions.

Intersections and Oncoming Traffic

When a driver is turning left at an intersection without a green arrow, they must yield to all vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Failing to wait can lead to serious crashes—and when that happens, left turn accident fault in California usually falls on the turning driver unless strong evidence shows the other car was speeding or running a light.

U-Turns Fall Under the Same Rules

The same rules apply when making a U-turn. Even if there’s space to turn, drivers still have to make sure the path is clear. If they don’t, and a crash happens, they may be held responsible under the same standards as a standard left turn.

LEFT TURN INTERSECTION RULES IN CALIFORNIA

Understanding how to turn left safely isn’t just about timing—it’s about knowing what’s expected under the law. California left turn law outlines how drivers should approach these turns based on road layout, traffic signals, and visibility.

Protected vs. Unprotected Left Turns

If you’re turning left with a green arrow, you have a protected turn and the legal right of way. But in most cases, turns are unprotected. That means you have to yield to oncoming traffic, even if your light is green. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been waiting—you can’t go until it’s safe.

Limited Visibility and Multi-Lane Turns

Line-of-sight issues are common, especially when larger vehicles block your view. Still, you’re expected to wait until you can clearly see oncoming traffic. The same goes for turns across multiple lanes, where misjudging speed or distance often leads to crashes.

Signal Timing and Intersection Type

Not all intersections handle left turns the same way. Some have short arrows that appear late in the cycle; others don’t offer any signal help at all. Knowing when and how to turn safely depends on reading the lights—and the flow of traffic—before making a move.

WHEN IS THE LEFT-TURNING DRIVER NOT AT FAULT?

While most people assume the left-turning driver is always to blame, that’s not always the case. California left turn law puts the responsibility on drivers to turn safely, but it also considers the actions of others on the road.

Situations That Shift Liability

There are real scenarios where fault may fall on the other driver or even a third party. For example:

• The oncoming driver was speeding, making it unsafe to complete the turn even with a reasonable gap.
• A driver ran a red light or stop sign, leaving no time for the turning vehicle to react.
• The other driver was distracted or impaired, affecting their reaction time or lane control.
• A pedestrian or obstacle blocked visibility, making it difficult to complete the turn safely despite careful judgment.

Why Investigation Matters

If you’re wondering who is at fault in a left turn accident, these details matter. Without a full investigation—looking at traffic cams, impact points, or driver behavior—liability may be unfairly assigned. That’s why building your case early can make a difference.

HOW COMPARATIVE FAULT WORKS IN CALIFORNIA LEFT-TURN CRASHES

In California, more than one driver can share responsibility for a crash. This is because the state uses a pure comparative negligence system. If you’re found partly at fault, that doesn’t block you from recovering compensation—but it does reduce how much you can receive.

Fault Gets Divided by Percentage

After a left-turn accident, each driver’s actions are reviewed to figure out how much blame they share. For example, if the turning driver didn’t yield but the other driver was speeding, both could be held partially responsible.

Let’s say you were turning left and a speeding driver hit you. If it’s determined you were 30% at fault and the other driver was 70%, any compensation you’re awarded would be reduced by that 30%. So if your total damages are $100,000, you’d be eligible to collect $70,000.

Understanding how fault is assigned—and making sure it’s fair—is a big part of protecting your right to full compensation after a left-turn crash.

Can You Still Recover Compensation if Partially at Fault?

Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for a left-turn accident. California law allows injured drivers to pursue damages under its comparative fault system. That means your role in the crash doesn’t automatically block your right to a financial recovery—it just affects how much you’re able to collect.

This is especially important in cases involving complex left turn intersection rules in California. If both drivers made mistakes, the court or insurance adjusters will assign a percentage of fault to each person involved. That percentage directly affects your compensation.

Legal guidance can make a real difference here. A good attorney can push back against exaggerated claims of fault and work to keep your percentage as low as possible. That’s key to maximizing your left-turn crash compensation in California, especially when insurers try to shift blame unfairly. With the right legal strategy, you still have a strong path forward—even if you weren’t entirely blameless.

CALL AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY TODAY

If you were injured in a left-turn accident, it would be in your best interest to speak to one of our experienced attorneys about your case as soon as possible.

For decades, our attorneys have been helping crash victims recover compensation for their damages. We do not charge you anything up front or while we work on your case, so there is no risk to you.

Contact our personal injury attorneys, or call our legal team today to schedule a free consultation: (916) 777-7777.