The Dangers of Left-Turn Accidents and Legal Options

Left turns may seem routine, but they are one of the riskiest driving maneuvers. A split-second decision at a busy Memphis intersection can lead to serious injuries if a driver misjudges speed or distance, making left turn accident liability a key issue when determining who should be held responsible.

With traffic steadily increasing across the city, left-turn collisions happen more often than many think. These crashes can leave victims facing painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and insurance headaches. If you suffered an injury while turning – or got hit by a driver making a risky turn – you may have legal options. Understanding who is at fault in a left-turn accident is the first step toward getting the help you need and controlling what happens next.

General Rule – The Left-Turning Driver Is Usually at Fault

Under most traffic laws, a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, and Tennessee law agrees. Drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic and wait until the intersection is completely clear before turning. If a crash happens during the turn, the turning driver typically bears fault.

These collisions often happen at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals. Mistiming a turn – whether by misjudging an oncoming car’s speed or assuming there is enough time – can quickly lead to a serious accident.

Unless the oncoming driver broke a traffic law, such as running a red light or speeding excessively, they usually have the right of way. In most cases, the court will hold the turning driver responsible.

When investigating a fault, insurers often look at the following:

• Traffic signals at the scene
• Dashcam footage (if available)
• The police report and its conclusions
• Witness accounts

That is why it is crucial to have a lawyer on your side. An attorney can investigate the details, gather evidence, and ensure the whole story is told, especially if the insurance company is quick to point fingers. 

Exceptions Where the Left-Turning Driver May Not Be at Fault

Left-turn collisions can raise complicated questions about what really happened in those final seconds. Road conditions, distracted driving, or faulty traffic signals can all affect who is responsible. Without a careful review of the facts, it is easy for blame to fall in the wrong place.

Here are some examples:

• Speeding by the Oncoming Driver – If the other driver was going well over the speed limit, it could change how fault is assigned.
• Running a Red Light – If the oncoming car entered the intersection illegally, the usual rules might not apply.
• Protected Green Arrow – If the left-turning driver had a green arrow, they had the right of way.
• Distraction – If the oncoming driver was texting or not paying attention, they may bear liability.

Piecing what caused a left-turn crash often takes more than a police report. Skid marks, vehicle damage, and surveillance footage can reveal key details. A legal team can help find this evidence and work with experts to reconstruct the accident.

Liability in these cases often hinges on timing, visibility, and driver behavior, not just who was turning. Without a closer look, critical details that shift the fault can easily be overlooked.

How Comparative Fault May Apply

Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault system, which means more than one driver can be held responsible for a crash. As long as you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault, you can still recover damages.

For example, if you were turning left with a reasonable gap in traffic, but the oncoming driver was speeding and texting, investigators might find you 25 percent at fault and the other driver 70 percent. In that case, you could still recover 75 percent of your total losses.

However, if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you will not be able to recover anything under Tennessee law. That is why solid evidence is so imperative. Key pieces include:

• Dashcam footage
• Witness statements
• Photos from the scene
• Traffic camera data
• The police report

Each one can help show who had the right of way and if someone was being irresponsible. The more concrete your evidence is, the better shot you have at proving what happened.

The Role of the Police Report and Insurance

After a crash involving a turning vehicle, the police report becomes one of the most essential pieces of evidence. Officers typically note the position of each vehicle, any traffic law violations, statements from both drivers, contact information for witnesses, and their initial opinion on who was at fault.

Insurance companies often rely on this report to decide who is to blame. But they do not always get it right. If you are wrongly assigned full responsibility or denied coverage, it can quickly turn into a frustrating insurance dispute.

That is when legal help matters. An experienced lawyer understands how insurers think – and can spot when they are twisting facts or relying too heavily on assumptions. They can challenge biased conclusions and advocate for a more accurate assessment of what happened.

Common Injuries and Losses from Left-Turn Accidents

Intersection crashes can be severe due to the way cars collide with each other and their high speeds. Left-turn crashes often cause side-impact, or “T-bone,” accidents, which can lead to long-term injuries.

People involved in these crashes may face immense problems, such as high medical bills, needing physical therapy, missing work, losing income, car damage, or even emotional stress.

Left-turn crashes often involve side impacts, which can catch drivers and passengers off guard and result in more severe and complex injuries. These accidents frequently result in longer recoveries and greater physical, emotional, and financial strain compared to other types of collisions.

Legal Help for Intersection Collisions in Memphis

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we have spent decades handling intersection collisions in Memphis. Our attorneys know how to investigate traffic signals, work with accident reconstruction experts, and review dashcam or cellphone footage to build a strong case.

If you were hurt in a left-turn accident, call (901) 526-2126 to speak with a local attorney who understands Tennessee law and knows how to handle cases like yours, or send us a message to get started. We are here to listen to your questions and help you.