If another driver doesn’t look for pedestrians or cyclists before turning right, the crash can leave you with substantial medical bills, pain, and an unclear future. People who get into right-turn accidents are often completely unprepared. They were following traffic laws, using the crosswalk or bike lane correctly, but someone else’s carelessness has ruined everything.
Insurance companies know these accidents involve complex liability questions about who had the right of way, and they use that complexity to minimize your claim. You need experienced legal representation that understands California’s specific right-turn laws and knows how to prove the negligence of the driver who made the turn.
Our Fresno right-hand turn accident attorneys have extensive experience with intersection collisions and know what evidence to gather, which traffic codes apply, and how to counter insurance company tactics.
Whether you were walking, cycling, or driving when the right-turn collision occurred, we’re here to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation California law allows. You shouldn’t have to navigate this process alone while trying to heal from your injuries.
Fresno Right Hand Turn Accident Attorney
A right-hand turn accident can happen in seconds, but it can change your life forever. You might be dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and insurance companies that don’t seem interested in helping you recover what you deserve.
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we represent Fresno accident victims seeking the compensation they need to move forward.
Our team understands how these crashes happen and knows exactly how to prove fault when another driver’s negligence causes your injuries. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your case.
Why Choose Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for Your Fresno Right Turn Case
We bring decades of experience to every right-turn accident case in the Fresno area. Our legal team has extensive experience representing injury victims and helping them obtain compensation throughout California.
What sets us apart is our deep knowledge of Fresno’s busiest intersections and most dangerous turning areas. We are aware of the locations where these accidents occur most frequently and understand the local traffic patterns that contribute to collisions. This local insight helps us build stronger cases for our clients.
Our attorneys can be reached by phone or online, and we assist in both English and Spanish. We handle every aspect of your claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track.
What Causes Right Hand Turn Accidents in Fresno
A right-hand turn accident occurs when a driver making a right turn strikes another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist. These crashes often happen at intersections, in parking lots, or when drivers are turning into driveways or businesses.
The most dangerous aspect of these accidents is that drivers often assume they have the right of way when turning right. This false assumption leads to serious crashes that could have been prevented if the turning driver had followed California traffic laws.
Common scenarios that lead to right-turn accidents include:
Failure to yield to pedestrians:
Drivers turn right without checking crosswalks for people walking
Right-hook bicycle crashes:
Motorists turn across bike lanes without yielding to cyclists
Illegal right turns on red:
Making the turn without coming to a complete stop first
Wide commercial truck turns:
Large vehicles that squeeze cars or motorcycles against the curb
Wrong lane turns:
Turning right from the center or left lane across other traffic
Who Has the Right of Way During Right Hand Turns in California
California law is clear about who must yield during right-hand turns. The driver making the turn almost always has the duty to yield to other road users. This means you must wait for pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic before completing your turn.
Understanding these rules is crucial for determining fault in your accident case. When the other driver violates these laws, we can use that violation as strong evidence of their negligence.
Right-Hook Bicycle Lane Collisions and Vehicle Code 21717
A right-hook collision happens when a car turns right directly in front of a bicycle traveling in the same direction. Vehicle Code 21717 requires drivers to merge into the bike lane within 200 feet before making their turn.
This law means the driver must signal their intention to turn and check for any cyclists already in the bike lane. If they fail to do this and hit a cyclist, they are typically at fault for the accident.
Right Turn on Red Light Rules Under Vehicle Code 21453
You can turn right at a red light in California, but only after coming to a complete stop. Vehicle Code 21453 requires drivers to stop entirely and yield to all pedestrians and traffic before proceeding with the turn.
Many right-turn accidents happen because drivers roll through the red light without stopping or fail to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk. These violations make it much easier to prove the turning driver was negligent.
Commercial Truck Wide Right Turn Accidents
Large trucks need extra space to complete right turns safely. They often swing wide or use multiple lanes to navigate corners, which can trap smaller vehicles or motorcycles.
When truck drivers fail to signal properly or check their blind spots, they can cause serious accidents. In these cases, both the driver and the trucking company may be liable for your injuries and damages.
What Evidence Proves Fault in Right Hand Turn Crashes
Proving fault in your right-turn accident requires gathering strong evidence quickly before it disappears. The key is showing that the other driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care when making their turn.
We work fast to collect and preserve crucial evidence from your accident scene:
Surveillance video:
Traffic cameras, business security footage, and dashcam recordings
Police reports:
Official documentation of the crash and any traffic citations issued
Witness statements:
Accounts from people who saw exactly what happened
Vehicle damage analysis:
How the cars were damaged can show the point of impact
Traffic signal data:
Records from the city showing light timing and signal phases
Cell phone records:
Evidence of distracted driving such as texting or talking on the phone
The sooner you contact us after your accident, the better our chances are of securing this critical evidence. Insurance companies and other drivers may try to destroy or hide evidence that proves their fault.
Comparative Negligence in Fresno Right Hand Turn Accidents
California uses a Pure comparative negligence system for personal injury cases.
This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
Your final award gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but you don’t lose everything if you made a mistake too. Under California’s comparative negligence law, any damages awarded are reduced according to each party’s percentage of fault.
This system is essential because insurance companies often try to blame accident victims to reduce their payouts. We counter these tactics by gathering evidence that demonstrates the other driver was primarily at fault for your crash.
Common Injuries From Right Hand Turn Collisions
Right-turn accidents cause a wide range of injuries depending on the speed of impact and the type of vehicles involved. Side-impact crashes are particularly dangerous because there’s less protection on the sides of cars.
Pedestrians and cyclists suffer the most severe injuries because they have no protection from the force of impact. Even low-speed collisions can cause life-changing harm to people on foot or bicycle.
The most common injuries we see in these cases include:
Broken bones:
Arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis fractures from the force of impact
Head injuries:
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries from hitting pavement or vehicle parts
Spinal cord damage:
Herniated discs, nerve damage, and paralysis
Soft tissue injuries:
Whiplash, muscle strains, and ligament tears
Internal injuries:
Organ damage and internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately
Road rash and lacerations:
Serious cuts and scrapes, especially for motorcyclists and cyclists
Even if you feel okay right after the accident, you should see a doctor immediately. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days, and having medical records from right after the crash strengthens your legal case.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover
The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has impacted your life. California law allows you to seek both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver.
We work with medical experts, economists, and other professionals to calculate the full value of your claim. This ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve or need for your recovery.
Economic Damages
These are your actual financial losses from the accident:
Medical expenses:
Hospital bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, and future medical care
Lost wages:
Income you missed while recovering from your injuries
Lost earning capacity:
Reduced ability to earn money if you can’t return to your previous job
Property damage:
Vehicle repairs or replacement and damaged personal items
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate you for the personal impact of your injuries:
Pain and suffering:
Physical discomfort and emotional distress from your injuries
Loss of enjoyment:
Activities and hobbies you can no longer participate in
Emotional trauma:
Anxiety, depression, and PTSD from the accident experience
Loss of consortium:
Impact on your relationship with your spouse or family
Deadlines for Filing Right Hand Turn Accident Claims
California gives you two-year deadline from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This might seem like plenty of time, but you shouldn’t wait to get legal help.
Evidence disappears quickly, witnesses forget important details, and insurance companies use delays against you. The sooner you contact us, the stronger case we can build on your behalf.
If a government entity was involved in your accident, you have only a six-month deadline to file a claim notice. This includes cases where poor road design, broken traffic signals, or inadequate signage contributed to your crash.
Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of your right to compensation entirely. Don’t let time limits prevent you from getting the money you need for your recovery.
How Insurance Companies Handle Right Turn Accident Claims
Insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their profits, not helping accident victims. They use various tactics to minimize or deny claims, even when their policyholder was clearly at fault.
Common insurance company tactics include:
Quick settlement offers:
Low amounts offered before you know the full extent of your injuries
Recorded statements:
Questions designed to get you to say something that hurts your case
Claim delays:
Stalling tactics that pressure you to accept less money
Fault disputes:
Arguing that you caused or contributed to the accident
Medical disputes:
Questioning whether your injuries are really from the accident
We handle all communications with insurance companies to protect you from these tactics. Our experience negotiating with insurers helps us secure fair settlements that cover all your current and future needs.
How Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Build Your Case
Our approach to right-turn accident cases is thorough and aggressive. We leave nothing to chance and prepare every case as if it will go to trial, even when we expect to settle.
Immediate Investigation
We dispatch investigators to the accident scene as soon as possible to preserve evidence. This includes photographing skid marks, measuring distances, and identifying all potential witnesses before they disappear.
Expert Analysis
We work with accident reconstruction specialists who can recreate exactly how your crash happened. These experts use physics, engineering, and computer modeling to show that the other driver was at fault.
Medical Documentation
We connect you with qualified medical professionals who can adequately diagnose and treat your injuries. Having complete medical records is crucial for accurately documenting the full extent of your damages.
Legal Strategy
Our attorneys apply specific California vehicle codes and legal precedents to build the strongest possible case. We are familiar with the laws that apply to right-turn accidents and know how to utilize violations as evidence of negligence.
Steps to Take After a Right Hand Turn Accident in Fresno
What you do immediately after your accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Try to stay calm and take these critical steps to protect your legal rights:
Immediate Safety and Reporting
Call 911 Immediately
Your priority is safety and official reporting. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request police and medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor. The official police report is vital for your claim.
Stay at the Scene
Remain at the accident location until law enforcement arrives, completes the necessary documentation, and officially advises that it is safe and okay to leave. Leaving the scene prematurely can create legal complications.
Gathering Information
Document Everything
Use your phone to take comprehensive photographs of the entire scene. Document the damage to all vehicles, visible injuries, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs or signals.
Get Contact Information
Exchange necessary information with all parties involved. Obtain the names, phone numbers, and insurance details from all drivers involved in the crash.
Find Witnesses
Identify and collect contact information (names and phone numbers) from anyone who observed the accident. Witness testimony can be crucial in proving fault, especially in disputed right-hand turn cases.
Protecting Your Claim
Seek Medical Attention
Visit a doctor or go to the hospital to have any injuries evaluated immediately after the accident. Seeking prompt medical care ensures that essential documentation connects your injuries directly to the crash.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Never admit fault or apologize at the scene, even if you think you might have done something wrong. Statements of remorse can be misinterpreted as legal admission of liability. Let the official investigation determine what really happened and who was ultimately responsible.
Contact Our Firm
Contact us for a free consultation before speaking with any insurance company representative, including your own. We can advise you on your rights and handle all communication to protect your claim.
Avoid admitting fault or apologizing at the scene, even if you think you might have done something wrong. Let the investigation determine what really happened and who was responsible.
Right Hand Turn Accident FAQs
Can I Sue if the Other Driver Was Turning Right on a Green Light?
Yes, you can still file a lawsuit even if the other driver had a green light when turning right. Green lights don’t give drivers automatic right-of-way over pedestrians in crosswalks or cyclists in bike lanes. The turning driver must still yield to other road users regardless of the traffic signal.
What if I Was Jaywalking When the Right-Turning Car Hit Me?
You may still be able to recover compensation even if you were jaywalking. California’s comparative negligence law allows you to collect damages reduced by your percentage of fault. We would need to investigate whether the driver could have avoided hitting you despite your jaywalking.
How Long Do Right Hand Turn Accident Cases Take to Resolve?
Some cases resolve relatively quickly, while more complex cases involving severe injuries can take considerably longer. The timeline depends on factors such as the extent of your injuries, the duration of your medical treatment, and whether the insurance company cooperates during settlement negotiations.
Contact a Fresno Right Hand Turn Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you after a right-turn accident that wasn’t your fault. The team at Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers has the experience and resources to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations, during which we’ll review your case and explain your legal options with no obligation. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we win your case, so there’s no financial risk to getting started.
Call us or visit our contact page for a free consultation. Contact our office to discuss your rights and begin building your case to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
