California drivers making left turns must accept the responsibility of safely cutting across traffic, avoiding oncoming cars, and managing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
According to the California Vehicle Code, they must signal the turn for approaching drivers and wait until they have time and space to make the turn safely.
- The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
When Turning Drivers Are Responsible for Accidents
CVC 21801 puts the responsibility in a left-hand turning situation on the driver making the turn.
Drivers making left turns, or U-turns, are often under a lot more stress than they’d usually experience heading straight down a highway. They’ve got the nervous wait for oncoming traffic to clear. They may have pedestrians crossing the lanes they are trying to turn into. A left-turn is also a slower, wider turn that takes longer, and that can lead to dangerous decisions and close calls.
It’s why California lays out a few instructions for turning drivers:
- Drivers must signal for their left-hand turn.
- Drivers must only proceed on the turn when there are no oncoming cars close enough to create an accident risk.
- Safety laws also mandate that drivers check all crosswalks and bike lanes for those on foot and on bikes.
- It’s important that drivers give themselves time to look over all directions. No distracted driving.
Once these requirements are met, drivers should be safe to start and complete a left turn. If they fail in one of these duties, they can receive a citation. That would mean an expensive fine and a point on their license.
What’s more, drivers who make dangerous left turns and cause accidents could also be blamed for collisions. That leaves them responsible for any victim’s car repair costs, their medical bills, and their lost time at work.
The Duty of Approaching Drivers
The “duty of care” in a left turn always starts with the driver attempting a left turn. But once they’ve signaled and are waiting for a safe gap and started the turn, the duty shifts to oncoming drivers.
According to the second subdivision of CVC 21801, approaching drivers must yield the right-of-way to the turning driver.
- A driver having yielded as prescribed in subdivision (a), and having given a signal when and as required by this code, may turn left or complete a U-turn, and the drivers of vehicles approaching the intersection or the entrance to the property or alley from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the turning vehicle.
This would mean slowing down if necessary to avoid the chance of a collision. It might be crucial if a turning driver meets an unexpected obstacle in their turn and must pause in the intersection.
California drivers always have a duty to do whatever is possible to avoid an accident, even when they weren’t the motorist in the wrong.
How Do I Know If I Need a Lawyer for My Turning Accident?
If a reckless driver making a left turn caused your accident, and you were seriously hurt, it’s wise, and often financially beneficial, to check in with a skilled lawyer.
You can talk over your case with our California car accident lawyers in a free case consultation.
There’s never any obligation, but if you do need our help, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay a lawyer at such a difficult time. We aren’t paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the check the insurance company must write for you.
