In Texas, a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard under Transportation Code section 545.152, so the turning driver is usually at fault in a left-turn crash. Exceptions exist when the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a red light, or had no headlights on. Owsley Law Firm handles left-turn crash claims and charges no fee unless it wins.
Who is at fault in a Texas left-turn crash?
Section 545.152 of the Transportation Code requires a driver turning left at an intersection, alley, or driveway to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. When a turning driver pulls across the path of an oncoming car, that driver has usually violated the statute.
That is a starting point, not the end of the analysis. Under Chapter 33 proportionate responsibility, a jury can assign part of the fault to the oncoming driver if that driver was speeding, ran a yellow or red light, was distracted, or was driving without lights at night. The turning driver’s insurer will look hard for any of these facts.
When is the oncoming driver at fault?
Fault can shift to the oncoming driver in several situations.
- The oncoming driver ran a red light while the turning driver had a protected green arrow
- The oncoming driver was traveling well above the speed limit, so the gap looked safe and was not
- The oncoming driver was looking at a phone and did not brake
- The oncoming driver was in a turn-only lane and went straight
- The oncoming vehicle had no headlights on at night
- Another driver waved the turning driver through and a third car came around
What about protected and flashing yellow arrows?
Many Texas intersections now use flashing yellow arrows for left turns. A flashing yellow arrow means a driver may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A solid green arrow means the turn is protected and oncoming traffic should have a red light. Confusion between the two is a common cause of left-turn crashes, and the signal phase at the moment of the crash is often the key fact.
Cities and TxDOT keep records of how signals are programmed. Combined with video and witness accounts, those records can show which driver had the right-of-way.
Why are left-turn crashes with motorcycles so common?
A motorcycle’s narrow profile makes its speed and distance hard to judge, and drivers turning left often say they never saw the rider. The rider has almost no protection, so the injuries are severe. Texas law gives a motorcyclist the same right-of-way as any other vehicle, and saying the motorcycle was not seen does not excuse the failure to yield. Insurers often argue the rider was speeding, which makes event data, video, and reconstruction important.
What evidence proves a left-turn crash claim?
The best evidence shows where each vehicle was, how fast it was going, and what the signal said. That means video from businesses and traffic cameras, dash cameras, event data recorder downloads from both vehicles, signal timing records, the crash report, witness statements, and photographs of the vehicles and debris. The damage pattern itself is evidence: a turning car struck on its right front side was usually crossing the oncoming lane.
Video and data disappear. The firm sends preservation letters early so the evidence still exists when it matters.
What injuries do left-turn crashes cause?
Left-turn crashes often become side-impact crashes, with injuries to the person seated on the struck side: rib and pelvic fractures, shoulder injuries, head injuries, and neck and back injuries. Oncoming drivers can suffer the injuries typical of frontal crashes, including wrist, knee, and ankle fractures and chest injuries from the seat belt and airbag. A claim should account for both the immediate injuries and their long-term effects on work and daily life.
How much is a left-turn accident claim worth?
Value depends on the injuries, the treatment and its cost, time missed from work, any lasting impairment, how fault is divided, and the available insurance. Left-turn cases often include a fight over fault percentages, and every point of fault assigned to you reduces the recovery under Chapter 33. Strong evidence on the signal phase and speeds protects the value of the claim.
When the turning driver carried only minimum coverage, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can make the difference. Insurance Code section 1952.101 requires insurers to offer UM/UIM, and it is part of the policy unless rejected in writing.
How do insurers handle left-turn claims?
The turning driver’s insurer often accepts that its driver failed to yield and then argues about everything else: the speed of the oncoming car, whether the injuries came from the crash, and whether treatment was necessary. If the oncoming driver’s insurer is involved, it will argue the opposite. Each insurer may ask for a recorded statement early, before the injuries are understood. You are not required to give one to the other driver’s insurer, and a careless answer about speed or distraction can be used to shift fault. Medical records created from the first visit forward, and evidence gathered while it still exists, keep the claim on firm ground.
What should you do after a left-turn crash?
Get medical care and keep every appointment. Photograph the intersection, signals, vehicles, and any skid marks. Ask witnesses for their contact information, because witnesses are often decisive in left-turn cases. Note any businesses with cameras facing the intersection. Do not admit fault or speculate about speed at the scene, and do not give a recorded statement to the other insurer before you have advice. Most claims must be filed within two years under section 16.003.
Common questions
What clients ask about left-turn accidents.
Is the left-turning driver always at fault in Texas?
Usually, but not always. Section 545.152 requires the turning driver to yield, but an oncoming driver who was speeding, ran a light, or was distracted can share or carry the fault.
What if I had a green light but not a green arrow?
A plain green light permits a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic. A flashing yellow arrow means the same thing. Only a solid green arrow makes the turn protected.
What if another driver waved me through?
A wave is not a guarantee. The turning driver still has a duty to check for traffic. In some cases the waving driver may share fault, but the claim usually focuses on the drivers who collided.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your damages are reduced by your percentage under Chapter 33.
Do I need a lawyer for a left-turn crash?
If fault is disputed or the injuries are significant, yes. Left-turn cases often depend on video and signal records that must be preserved quickly.