Left-turn accident fault in Georgia usually rests with the driver making the turn, as state law requires drivers to yield to oncoming traffic and turn left only when they can do so safely (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71). However, every crash is unique, and circumstances may show the driver turning left is not at fault.
If you’ve been hurt in a left-turn collision, speak with a Georgia car accident lawyer at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., about your options.
Why Are Left-Turn Crashes So Common in Georgia?
Left turns are the single most common critical event leading to car accidents nationwide, according to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because we drive on the right in the United States, turning left usually takes a driver across opposing travel lanes. A motorist who turns left against traffic puts themselves directly in the path of oncoming vehicles, risking a collision.
Georgia Rules for Making a Safe Left Turn
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71 requires a driver attempting to turn left at an intersection, private road, driveway, or alley to yield to any traffic approaching from the opposite direction. The driver can begin the turn only after confirming there is no oncoming traffic close enough to pose an immediate accident risk.
The Difference Between Protected and Unprotected Left Turns
Left turns can be either protected or unprotected. A protected left turn is one where a traffic sign or signal, such as a green arrow, specifically gives left-turning traffic the right of way. An unprotected left is one where turning traffic does not have the sole right of way – for example, an intersection without a signal, or one with a signal providing only a solid green circle or flashing yellow arrow.
Protected lefts are one of the few exceptions to the general rule that a left-turning driver is likely to blame for an accident, as a driver turning at a protected left usually has the right of way.
Drivers making unprotected left turns at four-way intersections should wait to enter the intersection until it is clear of traffic. They should not enter the intersection and then wait for oncoming traffic to pass, as they could be at fault for a subsequent accident.
Left Turns on Red in Georgia
Drivers can generally make right turns on a red light as long as it is safe to do so and no sign says otherwise. However, the same does not apply to left turns except in very particular circumstances.
A driver can make a left turn on red only if no sign prohibits doing so and all three of the following conditions are met:
- The road they are turning from is a one-way street in the direction they are traveling.
- The road they are turning onto is a one-way street flowing toward the driver’s left.
- The driver comes to a complete stop first and yields to pedestrians and all traffic proceeding straight.
Common Ways Left-Turn Accidents Happen
While there are many different ways left-turn collisions happen in Georgia, the following are among the most common causes of left-turn accidents:
- A driver making an unprotected left turn across oncoming traffic and misjudging the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle
- A driver turning left on a stale yellow or red light after oncoming traffic has started moving
- An oncoming vehicle running a red light or speeding, making the turn appear safe when it isn’t
- A left-turning driver’s visibility blocked by other vehicles, weather, curves, or roadside objects
- A driver failing to see pedestrians or cyclists crossing in the direction of the turn
Who Can Be at Fault in a Georgia Left-Turn Accident?
Many different people could be to blame in a left-turn accident claim in Georgia, including:
- A driver who made an unsafe turn against oncoming traffic
- A driver who failed to yield the right of way to a driver making a protected left turn
- The employer of a driver who causes an accident while on the job
- Government entities that failed to install or maintain traffic signals
In some cases, the person injured in a left-turn accident might share fault with other parties. Comparative negligence in left-turn crashes in Georgia allows an injured person to recover compensation as long as they are found to be less than 50 percent to blame. However, comparative negligence can also reduce the amount the injured person can recover in proportion to their share of fault.
How Fault Is Proven in Left-Turn Crashes
The courts, attorneys, and insurance adjusters determine who is at fault for a left-turn crash by carefully reviewing evidence like:
- Traffic, security, and dashboard camera recordings
- Testimony from eyewitnesses
- Photos of the scene and the involved vehicles
- Skid marks and wreck debris
- Data about how traffic signals in the area cycle
- Cell phone records that might suggest a driver was distracted
- Information from vehicles’ on-board computers or black boxes
What to Do If You Were Involved in a Left-Turn Accident in Georgia
You can take some simple steps to protect yourself after an accident involving a failure-to-yield left turn in Georgia:
- Report the accident to the police.
- Get medical care promptly, and tell your treating physician that you were in a left-turn accident.
- Do not say anything that might suggest you were to blame.
- Do not provide a statement if the other driver’s insurer reaches out to you.
- Contact an experienced left-turn accident lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., for help pursuing a Georgia left-turn accident settlement or verdict.
Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help You
Have you or someone you love been injured in a left-turn accident in West Georgia? If so, Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., is ready to help you pursue fair compensation from the person at fault for the crash. We have served accident victims throughout the region since 1987, with more than nine decades of combined experience to apply to your case.
While the following results do not guarantee future outcomes, they highlight some of our many achievements and indicate the type of experience we bring to each case:
- $1,500,000 for a cyclist who was struck by a distracted driver and suffered a broken leg and internal injuries
- $500,000 for a client who was seriously injured when another driver pulled out in front of him
- $250,000 for a client who needed several surgeries to correct a fractured leg they suffered after a vehicle improperly turned in front of their motorcycle
Please read some of our positive testimonials to learn what it is like to be one of our clients. For example, one of our past clients had this to say about his experience with our law firm:
“I was hurt in a car wreck in Douglasville. I contacted Ken and he was a tremendous help. My medical bills and health insurance liens were reduced by Ken’s hard work and I received a fair check as a result. I recommend Ken and his legal services if you need a lawyer for an accident.”—William J., Douglasville
Are you ready to find out what we can do for you? Then contact us today for your free consultation with a Georgia car accident lawyer.
