Left-turn collisions represent one of the most common types of intersection accidents in Fresno. These crashes often result in serious injuries and complex legal disputes about who had the right-of-way.
When a turning vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic, the split-second timing and multiple factors at play can make determining fault more complicated than it initially appears.
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we have handled thousands of intersection accident cases throughout Fresno and understand the unique challenges these collisions present. While California law generally places responsibility on the turning driver, many circumstances can shift or share liability between parties.
Our experienced legal team knows how to thoroughly investigate these accidents, gather critical evidence before it disappears, and build strong cases that account for all contributing factors.
If you have been injured in a left-turn accident at any Fresno intersection, you need attorneys who understand both the technical aspects of traffic law and the practical realities of how these crashes occur.
What Is a Left-Turn Accident Case in Fresno, and Who Do We Help?
A left-turn accident is a collision that occurs when a driver making a left turn strikes an oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist. This means the turning vehicle crosses into the path of traffic moving straight through the intersection.
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we represent all victims injured in these crashes throughout Fresno and the Central Valley.
Whether you were the driver making the turn, a passenger in either vehicle, a pedestrian crossing legally, or a cyclist following traffic laws, we help determine fault and pursue compensation on your behalf.
We aim to be available whenever you need assistance and can communicate in both English and Spanish to serve our diverse community.
Why Hire Kuzyk Law for a Fresno Left-Turn Accident?
Our firm brings decades of experience handling left-turn accident cases throughout California. We understand the complex nature of these collisions and use specialized approaches, including accident reconstruction experts, to build your case.
Insurance companies often try to automatically blame the turning driver, but we know when exceptions apply. Our key advantages include:
Local Experience:
We know Fresno intersections and common accident patterns at locations like Shaw and Blackstone
Expert Resources:
We work with engineers and reconstruction specialists to prove what really happened
Clear Communication:
You receive regular updates and understand each step of your case
No Risk to You:
We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we secure compensation
Call us for a free consultation about your left-turn accident case.
Who Is at Fault in a Left-Turn Accident Under California Law?
California Vehicle Code Section 21801 requires drivers making left turns to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. This means the turning driver must wait until it’s safe to complete the turn without interfering with approaching vehicles.
This law creates a legal presumption that the left-turning driver is at fault for the accident. However, this presumption can be overcome if evidence shows that the oncoming driver was also negligent, such as speeding excessively or running a red light, as outlined in Vehicle Code Section 21453.
The key is gathering evidence quickly to show what each driver was doing at the time of impact. Our investigation often reveals that both drivers share responsibility, which can significantly affect your compensation.
How Do Protected vs. Permissive Left Turns Affect Fault?
The type of traffic signal controls who has the right of way and determines fault in most cases. A protected left turn means you have a green arrow giving you exclusive right-of-way to turn. A permissive left turn means you have a solid green light but must yield to oncoming traffic.
Understanding this difference is crucial because it completely changes liability:
| Turn Type | Signal | Right of Way | Typical Fault Assignment |
| Protected | Green Arrow | Turner has right-of-way | Oncoming driver who violated red light |
| Permissive | Solid Green | Turner must yield | Turning driver for failing to yield |
When you have a green arrow, the oncoming driver should have a red light. If they enter the intersection anyway and hit you, they’re typically at fault for running the red light.
What Left-Turn Crash Scenarios Are Common in Fresno Intersections?
Fresno’s busy intersections see predictable patterns of left-turn accidents. Many accidents occur when drivers misjudge the speed of oncoming vehicles or attempt to turn when their view is obstructed by larger vehicles, such as trucks or SUVs.
Rush hour accidents often happen when drivers try to “beat the yellow light” by turning quickly as the signal changes. Weather conditions, such as fog or glare from the sun, can also make it difficult to accurately judge distances and speeds.
When Does the Oncoming Driver Share Fault?
Even if you were making a left turn, the other driver may bear partial or complete responsibility for the crash. Typical scenarios where oncoming drivers contribute to accidents include:
Excessive Speed:
Driving significantly over the speed limit or too fast for conditions
Red Light Violations:
Entering the intersection after the light turned red
Distracted Driving:
Texting, talking on the phone, or not paying attention to traffic
Impaired Driving:
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Our Fresno car accident lawyers investigate these factors to ensure fault is assigned correctly and you receive fair compensation.
What Evidence Proves Fault in a Left-Turn Collision?
Determining fault requires immediate preservation of critical evidence before it disappears or gets destroyed. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case becomes.
Time-sensitive evidence includes surveillance footage that gets recorded over, witness memories that fade, and physical evidence at the scene. Our team actsquickly to secure all necessary elements to support your case.
Police Reports and Witness Statements
The responding officer’s report provides an official account of the accident and often includes a preliminary determination of fault. However, police reports can contain errors or incomplete information, especially if officers didn’t witness the actual collision.
Independent witness statements are often more valuable because they provide unbiased accounts of what happened. We interview witnesses separately to obtain detailed descriptions of vehicle positions, traffic light colors, and driver behavior leading up to the crash.
Traffic Cameras and Dashcam Footage
Video evidence is the most powerful tool for proving fault in left-turn accidents. Traffic cameras at major Fresno intersections may have captured the collision, while nearby businesses often have security cameras facing the street.
Dashcam footage from your vehicle or other cars in the area can show the exact sequence of events. We also check for red light cameras that photograph vehicles entering intersections illegally.
Signal Timing Records and EDR Data
Cities maintain detailed records of traffic signal timing that show exactly when lights changed colors. This data helps establish whether either driver had a legal right to be in the intersection.
Modern vehicles contain Event Data Recorders that capture information, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs, in the seconds leading up to a crash. This “black box” data provides objective evidence of what each driver was doing.
What Should You Do After a Left-Turn Accident?
Your actions immediately after a crash can protect both your health and your legal rights. Stay calm and follow these critical steps in order.
Call 911 Immediately:
Request medical help for anyone injured and ensure police respond to create an official report.
Document the Scene:
Take photos of vehicle damage, the intersection, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
Exchange Information:
Get names, phone numbers, insurance details, and driver’s license numbers from all drivers involved.
Identify Witnesses:
Ask bystanders for their contact information and a brief description of what they saw.
Avoid Admissions:
Don’t apologize or accept blame when talking to the other driver, police, or insurance companies.
Seek Medical Care:
See a doctor even if you feel fine, as some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
Contact Our Firm:
Speak with an experienced attorney before giving recorded statements to any insurance company. Contact our Fresno accident lawyer team for immediate help protecting your rights.
What Injuries Are Common in Left-Turn and T-Bone Crashes?
Left-turn accidents often result in T-bone or side-impact collisions that can cause severe injuries. When the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, occupants have minimal protection from the impact.
The force of these crashes can cause both immediate and delayed-onset injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Understanding common injury patterns helps ensure you receive proper medical care and fair compensation.
Neck and Spinal Injuries
The sudden sideways force in T-bone crashes commonly causes whiplash as your head and neck snap violently from side to side. This can damage muscles, ligaments, and discs in your cervical spine.
More serious spinal injuries include herniated discs that press on nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in your arms or legs. Severe crashes can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord itself.
Head and Brain Injuries
Your head may strike the side window, door frame, or deployed airbags during the collision. Even seemingly minor head impacts can cause concussions with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and memory problems.
Traumatic brain injuries from severe impacts can cause permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and lifelong disabilities. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.
Orthopedic Injuries
The crushing force of T-bone crashes frequently breaks bones, especially ribs, arms, and legs on the impact side. Pelvic fractures are common when the door intrudes into the passenger compartment.
These fractures may require surgical repair with metal plates, rods, or screws. Recovery often involves months of physical therapy and may result in permanent limitations or chronic pain.
What Compensation Can You Claim After a Left-Turn Crash?
California law allows you to seek compensation for all losses caused by another driver’s negligence in a left-turn crash. This includes both economic damages, which you can calculate precisely, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
The total value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and how the accident affects your ability to work and enjoy activities.
Economic Damages
These are your financial losses that can be substantiated with bills, receipts, and other relevant documentation.
Medical Expenses
This includes all past and future healthcare costs, such as hospital bills, surgery costs, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care needed for ongoing treatment.
Lost Income
You are entitled to compensation for wages missed due to the injury, any reduced earning capacity if the crash permanently affects your ability to work, and lost employment benefits.
Property Damage
This covers the cost for vehicle repair or replacement, as well as the value of any personal property destroyed in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate you for intangible losses that significantly impact your quality of life and are often referred to as “pain and suffering.”
Physical Pain
This covers the ongoing physical discomfort, soreness, and pain resulting from your injuries and the necessary medical treatments and procedures.
Emotional Distress
Compensation is available for the psychological impact of the crash, including anxiety, depression, fear, and trauma related to the accident and the recovery process.
Loss of Enjoyment
This accounts for the inability to participate in hobbies, sports, recreational activities, and other normal aspects of life that you previously enjoyed.
How Does Comparative Negligence Affect a Left-Turn Claim?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule that allows you to recover damages even if you contributed to the accident.
This means your percentage of fault reduces your compensation, but you can still collect something regardless of how much blame you share.
For example, if your total damages are $100,000 but you’re found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $ 30,000. Our lawyers work to minimize your fault percentage by gathering evidence that shows the other driver’s greater responsibility.
Even if you were making an illegal left turn, you may still recover substantial compensation if the other driver was speeding, distracted, or violating traffic laws. Every case is unique, and fault determination requires careful analysis of all the evidence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Left-Turn Case in California?
California’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a two-year deadline CSS placeholder from the date of your injury. If you don’t file within this deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation through the courts.
Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines. You must file a formal claim within the six-month deadline if a city vehicle, county bus, or other government driver caused your accident.
Don’t wait to seek legal help, as evidence can disappear and witness memories fade over time. Our Fresno auto accident attorneys need adequate time to investigate your case and build the most substantial possible claim before these critical deadlines expire.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fresno Left-Turn Lawyer?
Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers handles all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. We advance all costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and court filings without any upfront payment from you.
This arrangement ensures that our interests align with yours, as we only receive payment when you receive compensation. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal battle against insurance companies.
Our contingency fee comes from your settlement or jury award, so there’s no financial risk to you for hiring experienced legal representation. Get your free case evaluation today.
Our Case Results and Client Reviews
Our track record demonstrates our commitment to securing maximum compensation for victims of left-turn accidents. Over the course of decades, we have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for clients throughout California.
We encourage you to review our verdicts and settlements to see the substantial recoveries we’ve achieved in cases similar to yours. Our client testimonials show how we’ve helped families rebuild their lives after serious accidents caused by negligent drivers.
Left-Turn Accident FAQs
Can I Still Recover Money If I Was Making an Illegal Left Turn?
Yes, California’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages even if you violated traffic laws. Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation, but you can still collect money if the other driver was also negligent by speeding, running a red light, or driving while distracted.
What If the Other Driver Claims They Had a Green Light?
Traffic signal disputes are common in left-turn cases, but we have ways to determine the truth. We obtain signal timing records from the city, review traffic camera footage, interview witnesses, and examine vehicle damage patterns to establish which driver actually had the right-of-way.
How Long Will My Left-Turn Accident Case Take to Resolve?
The time it takes to resolve a case varies depending on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of fault determination. Cases involving serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment typically take longer because we need to understand your full recovery before negotiating a final settlement.
Contact a Fresno Left-Turn Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you after a left-turn accident in Fresno. Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers provides the experienced representation you need to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
We’re available 24/7 to provide free consultations where we’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we win your case, so there’s no financial risk to getting the legal help you deserve.
Time is critical for preserving evidence and meeting legal deadlines. Contact Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers now for your complimentary consultation, or schedule an appointment online at your convenience.
