When a driver turns left at an intersection in Pennsylvania, the margin for error is small. We often meet clients who were driving straight through a green light when another vehicle suddenly crossed their path, leaving them injured and confused about who is legally responsible. According to statewide crash data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, thousands of intersection collisions occur each year, and left turn crashes represent a significant portion of serious injury cases. In real terms, that means many drivers find themselves asking the same question after a chaotic moment at an intersection: Who is at fault, and how will this affect my injury claim?
We help clients throughout Pennsylvania understand how fault is determined in left-turn accidents and how that determination shapes compensation. Fault is not always as simple as it first appears. Insurance companies often look for ways to shift blame, especially in intersection collisions where both drivers claim they had the right of way. Understanding the legal framework behind these cases is essential to protecting your rights.
Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Laws Governing Left Turns
Under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, specifically 75 Pa.C.S. §3322, a driver intending to turn left within an intersection must yield the right of way to any oncoming vehicle that is close enough to constitute a hazard. This statute forms the foundation of most left turn accident claims in Pennsylvania.
Put simply, if you are turning left and an oncoming vehicle is approaching within a distance that creates danger, you are legally required to wait. If a collision occurs because the turning driver misjudged the distance or speed of the approaching vehicle, the law generally presumes the turning driver is at fault.
However, legal presumptions are not absolute. There are situations where the oncoming driver shares responsibility. For instance, if the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a red light, or was distracted, fault may be divided between both parties.
Why Left Turn Accidents Are Legally Complex in Pennsylvania
Although left turning drivers are frequently cited, fault in Pennsylvania is determined under a comparative negligence system. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. §7102. This means an injured person can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.
In real terms, this has significant financial consequences. If you are found 20 percent responsible for a left turn crash and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. If you are found 51 percent responsible, you recover nothing.
Because of this rule, insurance companies scrutinize every detail of a left turn accident. They look at timing, traffic signals, vehicle speed, and even skid marks. They review dash cam footage, intersection cameras, and phone records. Their goal is often to increase your percentage of fault to reduce their payout.
Common Factors Used to Determine Fault in Left Turn Collisions
When evaluating liability in a left turn accident, we focus on objective evidence and statutory duties. Certain recurring factors tend to shape how fault is allocated:
• Whether the left turning driver had a protected green arrow or an unprotected green light
• The speed of the oncoming vehicle
• Whether either driver was distracted or impaired
• Traffic signal timing and visibility
• Statements from independent witnesses
• Police citation reports and accident reconstruction findings
Each of these factors can shift the balance of responsibility. For example, if the left turning driver had a protected arrow, the presumption of fault may move toward the oncoming driver if that driver entered the intersection unlawfully.
Failure to Yield and Presumptive Negligence in Pennsylvania
Failure to yield is one of the most common tickets issued after a left-turn accident. If the police report says the turning driver failed to yield, that can help support your injury claim. But a ticket by itself doesn’t automatically decide who is legally responsible. Civil cases are handled separately from traffic court, and fault is determined based on the full picture of what happened.
Consider this scenario. A driver turns left on a green light without a protected arrow. An oncoming vehicle strikes the turning car in the passenger side. The turning driver claims the other vehicle was far away and speeding. In this situation, accident reconstruction becomes critical. Skid distances, event data recorder information, and vehicle damage patterns can help establish actual speed and reaction time.
In recent cases, courts have emphasized that juries must evaluate the totality of circumstances rather than relying solely on the existence of a citation. That means even when failure to yield is alleged, the defense may argue comparative negligence if the oncoming driver contributed to the hazard.
How Comparative Negligence Impacts Left Turn Accident Compensation in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence doctrine plays a central role in settlement negotiations and trial outcomes. Insurance adjusters often argue that the injured driver could have avoided the crash with more attentive driving. For example, they may claim you should have anticipated the left turn or braked sooner.
We counter these arguments by focusing on right of way principles and reasonable expectations under Pennsylvania motor vehicle laws. Drivers traveling straight through an intersection with the right of way are not required to anticipate unlawful turns. Courts recognize that drivers may rely on others to obey traffic laws.
In intersection cases, fault percentages are often disputed. A 60 to 40 split is not uncommon in contested claims. According to national crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, intersection related crashes account for roughly one quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States, underscoring how serious these collisions can be.
The Pennsylvania Auto Accident Claim Process After a Left Turn Crash
After a left turn accident, the legal process typically unfolds in stages. Understanding this progression helps injured drivers protect their position from the outset.
- Immediate medical evaluation and documentation of injuries
- Police investigation and accident report preparation
- Insurance notification and claim submission
- Liability investigation including witness statements and scene analysis
- Settlement negotiation or, if necessary, litigation
Each stage carries strategic implications. For instance, early recorded statements to insurers can later be used to argue partial fault. Medical documentation that clearly connects injuries to the crash is essential, especially when insurers attempt to minimize impact severity in side impact collisions.
Case Precedents
In the case of Krivijanski v. Union Railroad Company, Pennsylvania courts addressed issues involving right of way and driver expectations at intersections. While the factual background differed from a typical urban left turn, the court reinforced the principle that drivers who have the right of way may proceed under the assumption that others will comply with traffic laws unless circumstances clearly indicate otherwise.
In another Pennsylvania appellate decision involving an unprotected left turn at a signalized intersection, the court upheld a jury allocation of shared fault where evidence showed the oncoming driver was traveling significantly above the posted speed limit. The turning driver was found primarily responsible for failing to yield, but the speeding driver’s conduct reduced total recovery under comparative negligence principles.
These precedents demonstrate that liability is rarely determined in a vacuum. Courts evaluate whether each driver exercised reasonable care under the circumstances. The presence of speeding, distraction, or signal violations can alter fault allocation even when a left turn is involved.
Proving Fault in Left Turn Crashes in Pennsylvania
To succeed in a Pennsylvania left turn accident lawsuit, the injured party must establish negligence by proving duty, breach, causation, and damages. In practical terms, this means demonstrating that the other driver violated a traffic duty, that the violation caused the crash, and that measurable harm resulted.
Evidence frequently used to prove fault includes intersection surveillance footage, electronic vehicle data, cellphone usage records, and expert accident reconstruction testimony. In serious injury cases, medical experts are also necessary to establish the full scope of damages, including future care costs and loss of earning capacity.
Insurance companies may attempt to argue that impact severity was minor or that injuries were preexisting. We address those arguments directly by correlating biomechanical evidence with medical findings and by emphasizing the legal threshold established under Pennsylvania’s serious injury requirements.
Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away
Left turn accidents in Pennsylvania often appear straightforward at first, but fault determinations quickly become complex when comparative negligence is raised. If you were injured in an intersection collision and are unsure how fault will be assigned, you do not have to navigate the Pennsylvania auto accident claim process alone. We understand how insurers analyze left turn crash liability and how to build a case that reflects the full extent of your injuries and financial losses. Our team represents drivers throughout Pennsylvania who are facing uncertainty after serious car accidents, including in high traffic areas like Philadelphia. Let us evaluate your case, protect your rights under Pennsylvania motor vehicle laws, and pursue the compensation you deserve.