Who Is at Fault: Dealing With Left-turn Accidents in Florida

Left-hand turns are one of drivers’ most dangerous maneuvers on the road. Timing the turn wrongly can lead to an accident with severe consequences for everyone involved. Thus, drivers turning left are often at fault during a car accident.

Also, if you live in the Sunshine State, you should know that Florida law requires yielding to oncoming traffic.

So, if you are driving in Florida, you should always yield to approaching traffic at intersections. You should also check if the road permits left turns and only make the turn at the correct lanes. Moreover, you should only do left turns if you have the right of way. Lastly, remember to use your turn signals if you intend to do a left turn or merge. 

Understanding Left Turn Laws in Florida

In Florida, the law clearly states that drivers must be cautious when doing left turns on a street and always yield to other traffic. The state law also indicates that any driver planning to turn left at intersections and other roads shall yield the right of way to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. 

In other words, you have to be responsible when making a left turn to ensure safety for everyone on the road. As such, there are only a few instances when drivers doing left turns are not considered at fault when accidents happen. If you turn left carelessly or misjudge your turn’s timing, you will be held responsible for the costs of injuries and damage to property caused by the accident.

What to Know About Left-turn Accidents in Florida

There have been countless accidents caused by careless drivers trying to turn left in Florida. And with the state law declaring that drivers turning left must yield, such accidents result in the left-turn driver being at fault. You must remember that the oncoming vehicles have the right of way if there are no traffic signs or lights. 

However, there are instances when the driver making the left turn is not found at fault. Negligence plays a huge role in determining who’s at fault in a car accident. When the other party is negligent or was driving while distracted, ignoring traffic rules, or texting, that driver is liable instead of the left-turning driver. 

Here are some instances when the left-turn driver is not at fault:

• The other party has run through a stop sign or traffic light. The most common instances when a left-turn driver is not at fault is when the oncoming driver drives through a red light or stop sign. For example, if you make a left turn since the oncoming traffic is at a stop light and the other party did not yield, you are not considered at fault.
• Speeding. Another instance when you won’t be held liable as the left-turning driver is when the other party moves too fast. You are not at fault if the oncoming vehicle is significantly over the speed limit during the accident. However, it can be hard to prove that the other driver was overspeeding unless there are CCTV cameras in the area that have recorded the accident.
• Dangerous driving. When the left-turn driver has taken all precautions to make the turn safely, but the oncoming traffic is driving dangerously, then the liability lies on the erring driver. Dangerous driving includes those who are committing traffic violations like driving illegally or driving under the influence.
• Unforeseen circumstances. Instances like when an animal runs into the road while you are making a left turn are considered unforeseen circumstances. As the left-turn driver, you will not be liable when an accident happens because of it. 

What You Should Do in a Left-turn Accident

If you are involved in a left-turn accident, you will understandably be shaken up and unsure what to do next. Here are some steps to take:

• If you’re in a safe space and not seriously injured, check yourself for any injuries. Check from your head to your toes and ensure no pain or bleeding anywhere in your body. 
• Move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent blocking the road or causing more accidents. 
• Next, contact the police’s non-emergency line to report the accident. You should also contact 911, especially if you need medical assistance.
• If you can move, make sure to collect evidence while you’re still on the scene. Take a picture of your car, the other party’s car, your injuries, and other people’s injuries (if there are any). You should also include documentation of anything that could have caused the accident. 
• Exchange information with the other party involved in the accident. Make sure to get their name, insurance information, contact number, and license plate. 

Seeking Damages in a Left-turn Accident

Florida has a no-fault insurance law, so most car accident victims have to file their injury claims with their personal injury protection policy. However, depending on the severity of the injury, a left-turn accident victim may be able to file a claim against at-fault drivers. Injuries qualifying for such claims include bone fractures, permanent loss of a critical body function, permanent disability, and death. 

You must understand that Florida imposes a “pure comparative negligence” law. As such, people need to pay the damages caused by an accident according to their portion of the fault. During a liability claim, the percentage of fault the left-turning driver has will be determined. For example, if the driver making a left turn is 60% at fault, the maximum damages the victim could claim would be 60% of the total. 

Always Make a Left Turn Properly

Prevention is always better than cure. The same is true when preventing accidents while making a left turn. Always use your turn signals properly – turn them on 100 feet before you make that turn. Be a responsible driver and look both ways to ensure there is no oncoming traffic and other hazards that may cause an accident while making a left turn. Also, do not try to corner-cut the lane of the oncoming traffic.

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