Left Turn Accidents, Fault, and the Turning Driver
While left-turn accidents often place liability on the turning driver, they are not always solely responsible for the collision. In Colorado personal injury claims, fault depends on the details of the crash, the actions of both drivers, and whether traffic laws were violated.
If you were injured in a left-turn accident, insurance companies may rush to blame the turning driver before fully investigating what happened. Connecting with a Grand Junction personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement is key, because there are situations where another driver’s negligence contributed to (or entirely caused) the collision.
When Another Driver May Be Responsible
Colorado follows a comparative negligence system, meaning more than one party can share fault for an accident. Even if someone was making a left turn, another driver’s careless behavior may have played a major role.
For example, imagine a driver begins a left turn after checking traffic carefully and seeing enough distance to proceed safely. Suddenly, an oncoming vehicle speeds through the intersection far above the limit and crashes into the turning car. In that situation, excessive speed could become a major factor in determining liability.
Another common example involves distracted driving. A driver looking down at a phone may drift through a red light or fail to brake before impact. Even though the other vehicle was turning left, the distracted driver may still bear substantial responsibility.
Impaired driving can also shift faults. If an intoxicated driver ignores traffic signals, swerves between lanes, or reacts too slowly to avoid a crash, their conduct may outweigh assumptions about the turning vehicle.
Every left-turn accident is unique, and several details can influence who ultimately should be held accountable. Investigators will review whether either driver ignored a red light, was traveling at an excessive speed, made an unsafe lane change, or if poor weather contributed.
Evidence Can Make a Big Difference
After a crash, insurance companies often try to simplify the situation by placing blame on the person turning left. However, evidence frequently tells a more complicated story.
Some valuable forms of evidence include:
- Traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage analysis
- Cell phone records
- Police reports
- Accident reconstruction findings
Unfortunately, injured drivers do not always know how to access or preserve this information on their own. This is one reason why speaking with an experienced Grand Junction personal injury lawyer is so important. A legal professional can investigate the accident, obtain records, communicate with insurance companies, and help determine whether another party’s negligence contributed to the crash.
An attorney can guide injured individuals through Colorado’s comparative negligence rules too, explaining how fault percentages may affect compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Left-turn accidents are rarely as straightforward as they first appear. While turning drivers are often blamed automatically, the facts may reveal a very different story once the full circumstances are investigated carefully.
Ready to figure out who is responsible for your expenses following a left-turn accident in Grand Junction, Montrose, or Mesa County, Colorado? Have a conversation with the attorneys at Killian, Davis & Richter, P.C. Call 970-241-0707 to schedule a confidential consultation.