Left-Turn Accidents in Arizona: Who’s at Fault and Why It’s Not Always Obvious

An experienced car accident attorney can help you get the results you deserve

Arizona’s left-turn law seems simple: yield to oncoming traffic. It’s one of the first rules taught in driver’s ed, and one of the most frequently cited after a crash. But when a serious accident happens in the middle of a turn – especially one involving high speed or severe injury – that basic rule becomes anything but clear.

Determining fault in these cases isn’t just about who turned first. It’s about how fast the oncoming vehicle was going. Whether a yellow light had turned red. Whether visibility was obstructed. Whether distraction played a role. And whether the turn had already started before the collision occurred. In Arizona injury claims, the outcome of a left-turn accident often comes down to how the law is interpreted – and how well the evidence supports that interpretation. An experienced Arizona car accident lawyer knows how to challenge assumptions, uncover key evidence, and present a case that reflects what really happened.

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Arizona’s general left-turn rule and its major exceptions

Under Arizona law, a driver making a left turn is generally required to yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction (A.R.S. § 28-772). Specifically, it states:

“The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and that is within the intersection or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.”

This means that if an oncoming car is lawfully within the intersection or approaching it closely, the turning driver must wait. But the law also recognizes that not every crash follows a textbook pattern. Exceptions apply when the oncoming driver is violating the law or operating their vehicle in an unsafe way. That includes:

Speeding well over the posted limit
Running a red or stale yellow light
Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Distracted driving, including texting

In these situations, the turning driver may not be fully – or even primarily – at fault. Liability depends on what each driver did in the moments leading up to impact, not just who was turning.

Common left-turn crash scenarios in Arizona

Some intersections in Arizona are prone to left-turn crashes. These accidents are often seen in:

Urban intersections with heavy traffic: For example, turning left on a green light at Camelback Road and 7th Avenue in Phoenix.
Center turn lanes or unprotected turns: There can be crashes across multiple lanes on roads like State Route 87 or rural highways outside Mesa or Casa Grande.
Turning against oncoming traffic during flashing arrows: Drivers misjudge the gap during yellow-arrow signals.
Motorcycles or compact vehicles obscured by traffic: There are visibility issues at busy or uneven intersections.
Delivery vans or box trucks with limited visibility: Commercial vehicles turning left from side streets or business lots are often involved in accidents.
Intersections near high-speed arterials: Drivers turning left off roads like Bell Road, Grant Road, or Highway 60 often misjudge the speed of oncoming vehicles.
Left turns into or out of parking lots: These are common in retail zones like Tempe Marketplace or Tucson’s Broadway corridor, where drivers must cross multiple lanes.
Poorly marked or faded lane divisions: Poor lane markings at older intersections can cause drivers to misjudge their turns or enter the wrong lane.
Left turns during congested peak hours: Traffic backups on roads like Scottsdale Road or Oracle Road lead to rushed or forced turns between gaps.

The circumstances vary, but the result is often the same: one driver turning left, one driver going straight, and a serious collision with disputed fault.

When the turning driver might not be at fault

While the driver making the left turn is often blamed first, Arizona law does not automatically assign fault. The facts matter – and so does the behavior of the oncoming driver. Situations where the turning driver may not be liable include:

The oncoming driver was speeding: The gap closed too quickly for a safe turn.
The light was turning red: The turning driver had a reasonable belief traffic would stop.
The turn had already begun safely: The oncoming driver ran a red light or sped into the intersection.
The oncoming driver was distracted: Texting or otherwise not paying attention.
Visibility was limited: Conditions like weather or poor road design contributed to the crash.

Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system allows an injured driver to recover damages even if they were partially at fault. For example, if they are found 20% responsible, their compensation is reduced by that percentage.

Types of evidence that can help prove fault

Establishing liability in a left-turn crash often depends on detailed evidence – most of which must be gathered quickly. Key forms of evidence include:

Traffic camera or dashcam footage: Video from vehicles or nearby buildings that captures the crash as it happened.
Witness statements: Observations from neutral third parties, including other drivers and pedestrians.
Police reports and diagrams: Official documentation of the crash scene, vehicle positions, and officer impressions.
Black box data: Speed, braking, and throttle input from the vehicle’s event data recorder.
Physical evidence: Skid marks, debris patterns, and damage location used to reconstruct the crash.

In many cases, accident reconstruction experts are brought in to model the sequence of events. These professionals analyze timing, distances, and the angles of impact to determine what likely happened and when. That level of precision is often necessary to counter blanket assumptions of fault.

The role of speed, distraction, and visibility

One of the most critical – but often overlooked – factors in left-turn accidents is the behavior of the oncoming driver. Speeding, texting, or failing to react to changing conditions can shift the liability entirely or partially.

Visibility is also a major issue in Arizona left-turn crashes. Bright sun glare, particularly in early morning or late afternoon, can obscure traffic signals or incoming vehicles. Curved roads, overgrown medians, and obstructed sightlines at commercial exits can also reduce reaction time for both drivers.

When these conditions are present, determining fault becomes a technical and fact-intensive process. It’s not about who turned – it’s about whether the turn was safe given what each driver was doing.

Who pays and why these claims often face pushback

Despite the complexity, insurance companies often default to blaming the turning driver. Adjusters may rely on crash diagrams or incomplete reports to support a denial or reduced settlement.

That creates real problems for injury victims, who may be dealing with:

Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal damage or fractures
Internal injuries or bleeding
Extended hospitalization or rehabilitation

These aren’t just fender-benders – they are high-impact crashes with high medical costs. And yet, insurers are often reluctant to accept full responsibility without being pushed.

Arizona’s comparative fault rules make it easier for insurance companies to argue that a driver’s own actions contributed to the crash. That means even if a turning driver was clearly injured, their compensation could be reduced – or denied – unless their case is built correctly from the start.

We fight to hold negligent drivers accountable

Left-turn crashes get oversimplified all the time. Someone turned, someone got hit. Case closed – or so the insurance company wants you to think. But when you’re the one who was seriously hurt, and the facts don’t line up with the assumptions, that lazy version of the story doesn’t cut it.

Browne Law Group doesn’t let police reports, biased witnesses, or insurance spin define your case. We dig into the timing, the speed, and the footage – and we build the real story, the one that proves who was actually at fault and why you deserve full compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a left-turn accident in Gilbert or anywhere in Arizona, don’t let them write you off. We move fast, we don’t take B.S., and we fight for real results.

Contact Browne Law Group for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. No bull. Just results.

“[Browne] Law Group provided exceptional service and support throughout my legal process. Their communication was clear, consistent, and easy to understand. They patiently guided me through each step, ensuring I felt informed and confident. I greatly appreciate their professionalism and dedication to my case. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance.” – Ruben N., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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