Key Takeaways
- Colorado law requires drivers turning left to yield the right of way.
- A failure to yield could make a driver turning left liable for a resulting accident.
- There are circumstances in which other drivers may also be fully or partially at fault for left-turn accidents.
In most cases, the driver turning left is considered liable for the collision. That’s because Colorado law requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming traffic. However, there are exceptions to this presumption in which other drivers may be at least partly at fault.
A Colorado car accident lawyer can help you determine who was legally responsible for your crash and what your legal options are to recover compensation based on your crash cause.
At Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to Protecting The West, one case at a time, and we offer a zero-fee guarantee. To find out how we can help if you have been involved in a left-turn accident in Colorado, contact us online today or give us a call at (303) 381-2234 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Is It Important to Determine Who Was At Fault in a Left-Turn Accident?
Determining who is at fault in a car accident is important because Colorado is an at-fault state for car crashes. That means the driver who caused the crash can be held responsible for the losses resulting from it if you can prove liability.
In left-turn accidents, Colorado law places responsibility on the driver turning left to try to avoid collisions.
What Colorado Laws Apply to Drivers Turning Left?
Specifically, Colorado Revised Statute section 42-4-702 requires a driver turning left to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Also, C.R.S. 42-4-903 prohibits vehicles from turning unless they are properly positioned on the road. This law also requires drivers to use their turn signals at least 100 to 400 feet before the turn, depending on the road type.
If a driver turning left violates these safety rules, it can help demonstrate that they were negligent in keeping other drivers safe on the road. If crash victims can prove their injuries resulted from the driver’s negligence, they may be able to make an injury claim.
Exceptions to the Left-Turn Fault Rule
While the driver turning left is often to blame for the accident, there are some exceptions. All motorists have a responsibility to behave safely on the road. Other drivers may share fault or may even be fully at fault for a left turn crash if:
- They were speeding, which made it difficult for the left-turning driver to judge their distance.
- They ran a red light or a stop sign and entered the intersection illegally, even though the driver turning left had the right of way.
- They were driving recklessly or aggressively, and they entered the intersection while a left-turning driver was turning or had the right-of-way.
- They didn’t use headlights when required, making it harder for the other driver to see them.
- They unexpectedly changed lanes and moved into the path of the turning driver.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
In Colorado, if a car accident is partly your fault, you can still recover compensation in some situations.
Under Colorado’s modified comparative fault rule codified in C.R.S. 13-21-111, you can pursue a claim for partial compensation as long as your negligence wasn’t as great as the person you’re making a claim against. In other words, if you’re less than 50% to blame, you can pursue a legal case against the other driver.
Your damages will be reduced based on your percentage of fault in these situations. If you were 20% at fault for the accident and experienced $100,000 in damages, you could collect $20,000 in compensation. Your Colorado car accident lawyer can help you prove who was to blame and try to maximize the money you can recover.
Evidence That Can Be Used to Determine Fault
In some cases, the parties disagree about who was to blame for a crash. If there is a dispute about car accident fault, you must be able to prove the other driver was to blame. A variety of evidence can be helpful in these situations.
Reporting a car accident in Colorado is important because the police might conduct an investigation. A police report is helpful evidence and includes witness contact details and other information about the likely causes of the crash.
Our legal team at Olson Personal Injury Lawyers will obtain police reports and other evidence on your behalf, including any video footage of the accident scene from traffic cameras or security cameras. We will also obtain pictures from the crash scene, witness testimony, cell phone records, toxicology reports, and, if necessary, expert testimony from crash reconstruction experts.
How Insurance Companies Investigate Fault
Insurance adjusters will also investigate evidence from the crash scene, gather witness testimony, and medical records.
However, the primary goal of insurers is to pay as little as possible. They also look for reasons to deny legitimate claims. If you speak to the insurance company, they will analyze your statements looking for a reason to deny your claim.
It is extremely important that you not do or say anything that might jeopardize your case. At Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, we will review the insurance adjuster’s information and speak to the adjuster on your behalf. We fight back when an insurance company’s investigative tactics are designed to deny you the compensation you deserve.
Injuries Common in Left Turn Collisions
Your compensation for a car accident in Colorado is determined based on your injuries. If you sustained accident injuries in a crash, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to document your injuries.
Left-turn accidents are often T-bone crashes or near-head-on collisions, causing serious and even catastrophic injuries. The sides of a vehicle offer less protection. Some of the most common injuries that left-turn accident victims experience include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial fractures
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord damage
- Rib and sternum fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Lacerations
We want you to receive compensation for all of your damages and loss directly resulting from your crash injuries. Damages can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Get Help with Your Claim
Our case results and client testimonials demonstrate our past successes in helping left-turn accident victims get the justice that they deserve. We help you prove who is at fault for left-turn accidents in Colorado, work to identify all defendants, and build the strongest claims possible from day one.
Olson Personal Injury Lawyers offers a Zero Fee guarantee, and we work diligently in our mission to Protect The West, one case at a time. You can contact us online or give us a call at (303) 381-2234 to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you with your claim.
