Left Turn Accident in Arizona: Who Is at Fault?

A left turn accident in Arizona often raises an immediate question: was the turning driver supposed to yield?

Usually, an Arizona driver turning left across oncoming traffic must yield when an approaching vehicle is already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard. But that does not mean the turning driver is automatically responsible for every left-turn collision.

Speed, traffic signals, visibility and the actions of the approaching driver can all affect the liability analysis.

Who Is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident in Arizona?

The turning driver’s duty to yield is often a central part of the investigation.

Under A.R.S. § 28-772, a driver intending to turn left within an intersection must yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when that vehicle is already in the intersection or is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.

That rule can provide important evidence when a vehicle turns across the path of approaching traffic.

Fault still depends on what actually happened, however. The investigation may need to consider the traffic signal, each vehicle’s speed and position, visibility and whether either driver violated another traffic rule.

Is the Driver Turning Left Always at Fault?

No.

Arizona law gives the left-turning driver an important duty to yield, but liability should not be determined from the maneuver alone.

For example, evidence may show that an approaching driver was speeding, entered the intersection against a red signal or otherwise contributed to the collision.

Arizona follows a pure comparative-negligence system. Hale’s guide to Arizona comparative negligence explains how responsibility can be divided when the evidence supports fault by more than one person.

That means a left-turn accident should be investigated rather than reduced to a rule that one driver is always responsible.

What If You Had a Green Light While Turning Left?

The type of green signal matters.

Under A.R.S. § 28-645, a driver facing a regular green signal may proceed straight or turn unless the movement is prohibited, but must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or adjacent crosswalk.

A green arrow permits a driver to cautiously enter the intersection to make the indicated movement, while still requiring the driver to yield to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

So simply saying “my light was green” may not answer the entire liability question.

If the drivers disagree about which signal was displayed, traffic-camera footage, dashcam video and independent witnesses can become especially valuable.

What If the Oncoming Driver Was Speeding?

Speed may affect the liability analysis if evidence shows it contributed to the collision.

An approaching vehicle’s speed can influence how much time a turning driver had to judge the distance and safely complete the turn. But an allegation of speeding should be supported by evidence rather than assumed because the collision was severe.

Potential evidence may include video, witness statements, vehicle data when available, physical evidence from the scene and the police investigation.

When one driver had a duty to yield but the other is accused of excessive speed, an experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate whether Arizona’s comparative-negligence rules may apply.

What If the Other Driver Ran a Red Light?

A red-light violation can materially change the analysis.

Arizona law generally requires a driver facing a steady red signal to stop and remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, subject to permitted turns after stopping.

If evidence shows an approaching driver entered the intersection against a red light while another vehicle was turning left, that evidence may be highly relevant to determining responsibility.

The difficult part is often proving which driver had which signal.

Useful evidence can include:

• dashcam footage;
• intersection or nearby surveillance video;
• independent witness statements;
• photographs of the intersection and signal layout;
• police observations; and
• other evidence establishing the vehicles’ movements before impact.

For a significant injury claim involving conflicting accounts, preserving that evidence quickly can be important.

Can Both Drivers Be at Fault for a Left-Turn Accident?

Yes, when the evidence supports negligence by both drivers.

Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, Arizona generally reduces a claimant’s damages in proportion to the claimant’s relative degree of fault rather than automatically barring the claim because the claimant contributed to the accident.

For example, a turning driver might fail to yield while an approaching driver is also traveling at an unsafe speed.

That does not mean fault will necessarily be divided in every left-turn crash. It means the conduct of both drivers can matter.

What Evidence Can Help Prove How the Left-Turn Crash Happened?

Intersection evidence is especially important because the vehicles may be moved quickly and witnesses may leave.

If you can safely do so, preserve:

• photographs showing vehicle damage and positions;
• the intersection and surrounding lanes;
• traffic lights, signs and turn arrows;
• skid marks, debris or other roadway evidence;
• witness names and contact information;
• dashcam footage; and
• information about nearby businesses or properties that may have cameras.

If serious injuries are involved, an attorney can also investigate whether additional evidence exists and take appropriate steps to seek its preservation.

Do not assume nearby surveillance footage will remain available indefinitely.

What If the Police Report Says You Were at Fault?

A police report can be important evidence, but it does not necessarily resolve every issue in a civil injury claim.

An officer may document statements, roadway evidence, citations and observations from the scene. Additional evidence may later become available, particularly video or witness testimony.

If you disagree with an insurer’s or another driver’s account of a serious collision, a personal injury attorney can review the complete evidence rather than relying on a single document.

Why Can a Left Turn Accident in Arizona Become Complicated?

Because several traffic rules can intersect at the same moment.

A left turn accident in Arizona may involve a driver’s duty to yield, the status of the traffic signal, the approaching vehicle’s speed and allegations that more than one person contributed to the crash.

Arizona’s left-turn statute provides an important starting point, but the evidence determines how the law fits the particular collision.

If you were injured in a left-turn crash in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona, Hale Injury Law can review what happened and help you understand your options.

Every accident is different. This information is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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