Left-Turn Car Accidents: Determining Fault in Washington

A left-turn collision can lead to the immediate assumption that the turning driver caused the crash. That assumption is sometimes, but not always, correct. Though a driver turning left generally must yield to oncoming traffic, fault can shift quickly when evidence shows the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, changed lanes unexpectedly, or was distracted. Determining the fault in a left-turn car accident depends on the specific facts of the case.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we have over 40 years of experience investigating serious Washington car accidents and challenging fault determinations that fail to tell the whole story. Whether you were making the turn, traveling straight through the intersection, or riding as a passenger, understanding how Washington law assigns responsibility is the first step toward protecting your right to compensation.

Who Is at Fault in a Left Turn Accident?

Many drivers assume the fault for a left-turn car accident depends entirely on who was making the turn. In reality, investigators are trying to answer a different question: which driver’s actions caused the collision to occur?

The reason that distinction matters is that the left-turning driver is often blamed before the investigation is complete. Washington law generally requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming traffic, so insurance companies often begin their analysis by determining whether the turning driver entered the intersection when it was unsafe to do so.

A left-turning driver may be at fault for:

• Failing to yield to oncoming traffic,
• Misjudging the speed or distance of approaching vehicles,
• Turning after a traffic signal has changed, and
• Proceeding despite limited visibility.

That is only part of the picture, however. An oncoming driver may also share fault or be primarily responsible if they:

• Sped through the intersection,
• Ran a red light,
• Changed lanes immediately before impact,
• Drove while distracted, or
• Operated a vehicle while impaired.

For that reason, fault in a left-turn crash is not determined solely by looking at who was turning. Investigators must examine how each driver approached the intersection, what each could see, and whether either driver violated traffic laws in the moments before impact.

How Do Washington’s Left-Turn Right-of-Way Rules Work?

Washington’s left-turn rule states that a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic already in the intersection or approaching so closely as to create an immediate hazard.

In practical terms, that means the driver making the turn usually has to wait until there is a safe gap in traffic before proceeding. If a collision occurs because the turning driver crossed in front of an approaching vehicle, investigators will often begin by examining whether the driver made the turn safely.

This rule most commonly applies when opposing traffic is also allowed to proceed, such as when drivers are facing a standard green light, traveling through an uncontrolled intersection, or approaching an intersection controlled by stop signs.

What If the Driver Had a Green Arrow?

A protected left-turn arrow changes the right-of-way analysis because opposing traffic is generally required to stop. In most cases, a driver turning on a green arrow has the right of way over vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

When a collision occurs during a protected turn, the dispute is often not whether the turning driver failed to yield. Instead, investigators may focus on whether the driver entered the intersection after the arrow ended, whether the other driver ran a red light, or whether a traffic signal malfunction contributed to the crash.

What If I Am Also Responsible for the Accident?

A left-turn collision does not automatically become an all-or-nothing case simply because you made a mistake.

Washington follows a pure comparative fault system. This means more than one driver can share responsibility for a crash, and an injured person may still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault.

This issue arises frequently in left-turn accidents. For example, a driver making a left turn may have misjudged the speed of an approaching vehicle, while the oncoming driver may have been speeding, distracted, or running a red light. In that situation, both drivers may share responsibility for the collision.

Fault is assigned as a percentage. If you are found partially responsible, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault rather than eliminated.

For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are 20% at fault, your recovery would be $160,000.

Determining those percentages often becomes one of the most important disputes in a left-turn accident claim.

What Evidence Is Used to Determine Fault in a Left Turn Accident?

Determining who is at fault in a left-turn accident often comes down to reconstructing what happened in the seconds before impact. Because drivers frequently disagree about who had the right of way, investigators rely on multiple forms of evidence to understand how the collision occurred.

Traffic Cameras and Surveillance Footage

Video footage is often the closest thing to an unbiased witness. A traffic camera, business security camera, or residential surveillance system may show which driver entered the intersection first, whether a traffic signal changed, or whether a vehicle was traveling at an unsafe speed.

This evidence can be especially important when both drivers insist they had a green light. In some cases, footage may be available only for a short period before it is automatically deleted, which is one reason early investigation matters.

Witness Statements

Witnesses can help resolve disagreements about events leading up to the collision. In a left-turn accident, the key dispute is often whether the turning driver made the turn safely or whether the approaching driver contributed to the crash.

A witness may provide information about traffic signal changes, vehicle speeds, lane positions, or other circumstances that are not apparent from photographs alone. Their version of events can help investigators determine fault more accurately.

Vehicle Damage and Physical Evidence

The damage left behind after a collision can reveal a surprising amount about how the crash occurred.

Investigators may examine the:

• Impact site,
• Severity of the damage,
• Skid marks,
• Debris patterns, and 
• Final resting positions of the vehicles.

In serious cases, accident reconstruction professionals may use this information to develop a detailed analysis of the crash.

Police Reports

Police officers often arrive shortly after a collision, when the evidence is still fresh, and the vehicles remain in their post-crash positions.

A police report may include observations about roadway conditions, driver statements, witness interviews, and any traffic citations issued at the scene.  

Dashcam and Electronic Vehicle Data

A dashcam recording may capture the traffic signal, the vehicles’ positions, and the events leading directly to the crash.

Many modern vehicles also store electronic data regarding speed, braking, steering inputs, and other vehicle operations immediately before impact. When available, this information can help confirm or challenge a driver’s version of events.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we often look for this type of evidence early because it can provide objective information that is difficult to dispute.  

Why Should I Hire a Washington Car Accident Lawyer?

You are not required to hire a lawyer after a left-turn accident. However, it is important to understand that the insurance company will have experienced lawyers and investigators working to protect its financial interests from the beginning of the claim.

Hiring an attorney helps level the playing field.

Insurance Companies Protect Themselves

Insurance companies evaluate claims with their own financial interests in mind. One way they protect those interests is by limiting their liability whenever possible.

In a left-turn accident claim, liability is often one of the most heavily contested issues. The less responsibility an insurance company accepts for a collision, the less it may have to pay in compensation. As a result, insurers often scrutinize the actions of everyone involved in the crash and look for opportunities to shift fault away from their insured.

Your Focus Should Be Recovery, Not a Liability Dispute

Recovering from a serious collision can be difficult enough without also trying to gather evidence, communicate with insurance adjusters, and respond to arguments about fault.

While you focus on medical treatment and getting your life back on track, a lawyer can manage the legal side of the claim, monitor deadlines, and advocate for your interests throughout the process.

Identifying the Full Extent of Your Losses

The full cost of a left-turn accident is not always apparent in the weeks following a crash. Medical treatment may continue for months, injuries may affect your ability to work, and some losses may not become clear until long after the claim begins.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we work to identify all available damages before settlement discussions begin. Depending on the circumstances, that may include the following:

• Medical expenses,
• Future treatment costs,
• Lost income,
• Diminished earning capacity,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Other accident-related losses.

A complete understanding of your damages is essential because once a claim settles, additional compensation is generally unavailable.

Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner After a Left-Turn Accident in Washington

A serious left-turn accident can leave you dealing with injuries, lost income, vehicle repairs, and uncertainty about who is responsible. The answer is not always obvious. The driver making the turn is not automatically at fault, and Washington’s comparative fault laws can significantly affect the value of a claim.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we help injury victims throughout Washington navigate these complex fault disputes. We believe you should understand both the strengths and weaknesses of your case before making important decisions.

When fault is in dispute after a left-turn collision, we work to uncover the facts, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation available under Washington law. Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to hire us, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

If you were injured in a left-turn collision anywhere in Washington, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner for a free consultation.  

​Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:​

• ​Effect of contributory fault, Revised Code of Washington, 4.22.005.
• Vehicle turning left, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.185.