A left-hand turn is one of the most dangerous traffic maneuvers because it requires accurately judging the speed of oncoming traffic and diverting attention between multiple hazards. Accidents involving a left turn are often serious, and determining who is at fault can be complicated.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving a left-hand turn in Phoenix, Arizona, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. An experienced Phoenix left-turn accidents lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Since 2011, Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers has fought for accident victims in Phoenix, AZ. We have recovered more than $30 million in life-changing awards. Call our law office at (602) 595-5559 for a free consultation to discuss your case and how our Phoenix personal left-turn accidents attorney can help you.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt in a Left-Turn Accident in Phoenix
A car accident can have a devastating impact on every area of your life, potentially leaving you unable to work or enjoy hobbies with mounting medical bills. In the aftermath of a crash, you can be left overwhelmed, unsure of the next steps to take or how to support your family.
An experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyer at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal landscape and protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.
If you have been injured in a left-turn accident in Phoenix, AZ, we will put more than 55 years of combined experience to work to:
- Conduct an investigation of the scene of the crash
- Gather evidence, including traffic camera footage, witness testimony, subpoenaed phone records, and police reports
- Work with experts to analyze data and determine the cause of the accident
- Fight back against insurance company attempts to shift the blame
- Protect your legal rights at every step
Call our law office today to arrange a free consultation with a Phoenix left-turn accidents lawyer ready to help you.
How Common Are Left-Turn Accidents in Arizona?
Left turns were the “critical pre-crash event” in 22.2% of intersection crashes compared to just 12.6% for crossing over or through the intersection and only 1.2% for right turns. This means left turns were the primary event that caused the crash in these cases. Nearly 61% of all intersection crashes involved left turns in some way, compared to 3.1% for right turns.
Studies also show pedestrian accidents are more likely to involve left turns than right turns, and they are more likely to be fatal when a driver is turning left.
In 2022,left-turn crashes accounted for almost 18% of traffic accidents in Arizona and 12.5% of crash fatalities. Only sideswipe and rear-end crashes were more common, but both had lower fatality rates.
Left turns are such a well-known danger that UPS uses route efficiency software that virtually eliminates left-hand turns for its drivers.
What Are Left-Turn Accidents?
A left-hand turn accident refers to any crash involving or caused by a left turn. Most left-turn accidents occur in intersections, but they also happen when a driver turns into a driveway or exits a rural highway.
What Causes Left-Turn Collisions?
There are many common factors involved in left-turn crashes.
According to the NHTSA, the most common causes of intersection crashes are:
- Inadequate surveillance (44.1%)
- False assumption of other’s action (8.4%)
- Turned with obstructed view (7.8%)
- Illegal maneuver (6.8%)
- Internal distraction (5.7%)
- Misjudgment of gap or other’s speed (5.5%)
For left-turn crashes specifically, the most common causes include:
- Turning with an obstructed view
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic
- False assumption of another person’s behavior
- Inadequate surveillance
Driver age is a factor in many crashes. A study by the Arizona Department of Transportation examined the relationship between driver age and left turns. It found left-hand turns made up a much larger share of total accidents for drivers 65 and older than any other age group. Drivers over 70 also averaged more left-hand turns per mile than drivers 20 to 69.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers will dedicate the necessary time and resources to investigating your crash and determining why it happened.
Who Is at Fault for a Left-Turn Accident in Arizona?
Like rear-end accidents, liability is often clear in left-turn accidents. A driver turning left is required to yield to oncoming traffic, maintain an adequate lookout, and obey traffic laws.
However, the left-turning driver is not always at fault. An oncoming driver may be at fault if they were speeding or the turning driver had the right-of-way, for example.
Even if you share fault for the accident, you may still recover compensation for your injuries. Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence doctrine. Injury victims can recover compensation even if they are found 99% at fault – although damages are reduced proportionately.
While this negligence doctrine can be very helpful if you were injured but share the blame, the other driver has strong incentive to shift as much blame as possible. Every percentage of fault that is assigned to you for the crash will directly reduce your financial award.
Your Phoenix personal injury attorney will help you build the strongest case possible and defend against allegations that may reduce your recovery.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Car Crash Lawyer in Phoenix
If you have been hurt in a left-turn accident, our Phoenix left-turn accident lawyers are committed to helping you hold the responsible party accountable. Even a seemingly simple accident can become complicated when fault is shared, or evidence must be subpoenaed.
We help injury victims seek the compensation they deserve by building a strong, evidence-based case.
Call Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix left-turn accidents lawyer. We will discuss your case and help you explore legal options after your left-turn accident in Phoenix, AZ.