Scottsdale Left Turn Accident Lawyer
Left Turn Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale for Crashes Across Oncoming Traffic
A left turn accident lawyer in Scottsdale helps you show who should have waited, who had the room to avoid the crash, and what your injuries have cost you. The turning driver is often blamed first, but speed, signals and distraction on the other side can change the picture, and insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault. In most cases Arizona gives you two years from the crash to file (A.R.S. 12-542).
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the crash
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- Fault rule
- Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar
- A.R.S. 12-2505
- Government vehicle
- Notice of claim within 180 days
- A.R.S. 12-821.01
Why Left Turn Crashes Cause Such Serious Injuries
A driver who turns left has to cross the path of oncoming traffic, judge its speed and distance, and find a gap, all in a few seconds. When that judgment is wrong, the oncoming car often strikes the side of the turning vehicle, which gives the people inside very little protection. The same crash can also involve a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a motorcyclist who was hard to see.
This page is one of several crash types covered on our main car accident lawyer Scottsdale page. In north Scottsdale, left turns across oncoming lanes during the commute are a documented source of conflict on corridors such as Shea Boulevard at Scottsdale Road, Hayden Road, Tatum Boulevard and 32nd Street. Many left turn crashes are also T-bone accidents, and the injuries and evidence overlap.
Arizona
Who Is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident
In many left turn crashes, the driver turning is expected to wait for a safe gap, and insurers often start by placing most of the blame there. That is only a starting point. Arizona follows pure comparative fault (A.R.S. 12-2505), so an oncoming driver who was speeding, distracted or entering on a late signal can share responsibility, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred. Because insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate that percentage, the facts you can document matter a great deal.
Points insurers often raise
- The turning driver should have waited for a clear gap.
- The turning driver misjudged the speed of oncoming traffic.
- You could have braked or steered away in time.
Facts that may shift the percentage
- The oncoming driver was speeding or entered on a late yellow or red.
- The oncoming driver was looking at a phone or following too closely.
- A stopped truck or a line of cars blocked the turning driver’s view.
- Video, witness accounts and vehicle damage that show the actual speeds.
The ARS Left Turn Rule in Plain Words
People often search for the ARS left turn rule or the ARS improper left turn violation after a crash, usually because a citation was written. In plain words, Arizona traffic law generally expects a driver turning left to yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be an immediate hazard, and to make the turn safely and from the proper position. A citation is one piece of evidence. It does not by itself decide your injury claim, and the other side may still argue about the percentage of fault. If you or the other driver received a ticket, bring it with the police report when you call, and we will explain how it may fit your claim.
Left Turn Accident Speeding and Other Ways the Oncoming Driver Shares Blame
A turning driver’s mistake is rarely the whole story. These are the factors we look at on the other side of the intersection.
- Speed of the oncoming vehicle
A left turn accident speeding case turns on how fast the other car was really traveling. A turning driver can judge a gap correctly for a car at the speed limit and still be struck by one traveling much faster. Skid marks, damage patterns and vehicle data can help show speed.
- Running a late yellow or a red light
A driver who speeds up to beat a signal may enter the intersection just as the turning driver commits to the turn.
- Distraction on either side
A phone in the oncoming driver’s hand can be the reason no brakes were applied. The same is true of the turning driver, which is why we look at both.
- Blocked view
A large truck, a stacked turn lane or low sun can hide oncoming traffic until the turn is already under way.
What to Do After a Left Turn Crash
These steps protect your health and your claim. Take them only as far as is safe.
- 1
Call 911 and ask for medical help if anyone is hurt.
A police report is the first written record of where the vehicles ended up and what the officer saw.
- 2
Tell the officer what happened in plain facts.
If you believe you were not at fault, make sure you explain this to the officer. Avoid guessing at speeds, and do not apologize for the crash.
- 3
Photograph the scene, if safely possible, before any vehicle is moved.
Capture the turn lane, the signal, the final positions of the vehicles and the damage to each one.
- 4
Ask about cameras.
Nearby businesses and dashcams may have footage of the oncoming driver’s speed, but it is often overwritten within days.
- 5
Get checked by a medical professional.
A visit creates a dated record that connects your injuries to the crash, even if you have no or seemingly minor symptoms.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Left Turn Crashes
Because the impact usually comes from the side or at an angle, the injuries can be different from a rear-end crash.
- Neck and back injuries
Sudden angled force can strain the neck and spine, and symptoms may appear a day or two later. Read more about a whiplash injury claim in Arizona and back and neck injuries.
- Broken bones
Arms, ribs, hips and legs are exposed in a side impact. See our page on broken bone injury claims.
- Injuries to pedestrians and riders
A left-turning driver can strike someone crossing the street or a rider who was hard to see. Our pages on pedestrian accident claims and motorcycle accident claims explain how those cases differ.
- Financial and personal losses
A claim can include medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, and pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of daily life. Arizona imposes no statutory cap on personal injury damages (Ariz. Const. art. 2 sec. 31).
Working with a Left Turn Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale
Fault in a left turn crash is often decided by details that disappear quickly: a camera that records over itself, a witness who moves on, a vehicle that is repaired. Valley Accident Law offers a free case review so you can understand your options before you decide anything. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
If you are looking for a left turn accident attorney, you want someone who will review the report, look at the intersection and explain what the insurance company is likely to argue. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights, including how comparative fault could affect your claim. Our guide to comparative negligence in Arizona explains the rule in more depth. The earlier you call, the better, but it’s never too late to find out your legal rights.
Related pages
Statewide guide
Types of car accident claims
Questions
Questions about Scottsdale left turn accident cases
Is the driver turning left always at fault?
Not always. The turning driver is often expected to wait for a safe gap, and insurers frequently start there, but an oncoming driver who was speeding, distracted or entering on a late signal can share the blame. Under Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule, fault is divided by percentage.
Can I recover if I was the driver turning left?
Possibly. Arizona does not have a 50 percent bar, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated (A.R.S. 12-2505). The details of the crash decide whether the other driver shares responsibility.
How long do I have to file after a left turn crash?
In most cases two years from the date of the crash (A.R.S. 12-542). If a government vehicle or employee was involved, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01). These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.
Does a traffic ticket decide who is at fault?
A citation can be one piece of evidence, but it does not by itself decide an injury claim. Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault regardless of who received a ticket.
What should I do about the other driver’s insurance adjuster?
You are not required to agree to a recorded statement with the other driver’s insurer. Many people choose to talk with an attorney before they say anything on the record. Our guide to talking to insurance adjusters explains what to expect.
Free case review
Talk to Us About Your Left Turn Crash
Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. We will explain your legal rights and what we see in your facts. The earlier you call, the better, but it’s never too late to find out your legal rights.
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