California Left Turn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Your Rights After Being Hit

Left turn accidents pose unique dangers to pedestrians because drivers must divide their attention between multiple hazards. When making a left turn, drivers typically focus on oncoming traffic, traffic signals, and the speed of their turn while pedestrians in the crosswalk become an afterthought. This divided attention creates a deadly blind spot that puts pedestrians at extreme risk.

The physics of left-turn collisions also contribute to their severity. Vehicles making left turns often accelerate through the intersection to complete the turn before oncoming traffic arrives. When a driver strikes a pedestrian during this acceleration, the impact force can be devastating. Unlike rear-end collisions where vehicles may be slowing down, left-turn accidents often involve vehicles gaining speed.

Pedestrians struck by left-turning vehicles frequently suffer catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage. The side impact nature of these collisions means pedestrians are often thrown significant distances, leading to secondary injuries when they hit the pavement or other objects.

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 establishes clear right-of-way rules that protect pedestrians. The law states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. This means that when you're lawfully crossing at an intersection, vehicles making left turns must wait for you to safely cross before completing their turn.

California Vehicle Code Section 21801 specifically addresses left turns, requiring drivers to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or pedestrian that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. This law places the burden on the turning driver to ensure the intersection is clear of pedestrians before proceeding. When drivers violate these laws and strike pedestrians, they can be held liable for all resulting damages.

Understanding these laws is crucial for your pedestrian accident claim. Our attorneys use California's clear right-of-way statutes to establish driver negligence and build strong cases for maximum compensation. We also work with accident reconstruction experts who can demonstrate how the driver violated these laws and caused your injuries.

Driver inattention is the leading cause of left-turn pedestrian accidents. Drivers become so focused on finding a gap in oncoming traffic that they fail to scan the crosswalk for pedestrians. Distracted driving compounds this problem, with drivers checking their phones, adjusting GPS devices, or talking to passengers while attempting to make left turns.

Aggressive driving and impatience also contribute to these accidents. Some drivers rush through left turns during yellow lights or immediately after the light changes, failing to give pedestrians adequate time to clear the intersection. Others make illegal left turns against traffic signals or at intersections where left turns are prohibited, creating unexpected hazards for pedestrians who have the right-of-way.

Poor visibility conditions increase the risk of left-turn pedestrian accidents. Rain, fog, darkness, and sun glare can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians in crosswalks. However, California law requires drivers to adjust their speed and behavior to account for reduced visibility. Drivers who fail to do so and strike pedestrians can be held liable regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, speeding drivers have less time to react to pedestrians in their path.

Establishing liability in left-turn pedestrian accidents requires thorough investigation and evidence collection. Our legal team immediately begins gathering critical evidence including police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and traffic camera recordings. We also obtain cell phone records to determine if the driver was texting or using their phone at the time of the collision.

Accident reconstruction plays a vital role in proving liability. Our experts analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, pedestrian injuries, and intersection geometry to recreate the accident sequence. This analysis often reveals that drivers had ample time to see and avoid the pedestrian, demonstrating clear negligence. We also examine traffic signal timing to show whether the pedestrian had the right-of-way when struck.

California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians for left-turn accidents by claiming they were jaywalking, crossing against the signal, or wearing dark clothing. Our personal injury attorneys aggressively counter these tactics by presenting evidence that the driver violated right-of-way laws and failed to exercise reasonable care.

Left-turn pedestrian accidents frequently result in life-altering injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are common when pedestrians strike their heads on the vehicle hood, windshield, or pavement. These injuries can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and the need for lifelong medical care. Even mild traumatic brain injuries can have lasting effects on your ability to work and enjoy life.

Spinal cord injuries from left-turn accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis. The force of impact combined with the twisting motion as pedestrians are struck and thrown can damage the delicate spinal cord. These injuries often require extensive surgery, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment, with lifetime costs reaching millions of dollars.

Other common injuries include multiple broken bones and fractures, particularly to the legs, pelvis, and ribs. Internal injuries such as organ damage and internal bleeding are also frequent in left-turn collisions. Many victims suffer from severe whiplash and back and neck injuries that cause chronic pain and disability. Our attorneys work with medical experts to fully document your injuries and project future medical needs.

Victims of left-turn pedestrian accidents may be entitled to substantial compensation covering all economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include all medical expenses from emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical care. We also recover compensation for lost wages, lost earning capacity, and any necessary modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate disabilities.

Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement or disability. California law does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, allowing juries to award compensation that truly reflects the impact of your injuries. In cases involving severe injuries like paralysis or traumatic brain injury, non-economic damages often exceed economic damages.

In cases where the driver was particularly reckless—such as making an illegal left turn while intoxicated or fleeing the scene—you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Our experienced legal team thoroughly evaluates every aspect of your case to maximize your total compensation.

Your actions immediately after a left-turn pedestrian accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention even if you don't think you're seriously injured. Some injuries like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms immediately but can be life-threatening if left untreated. Medical records also provide crucial documentation for your claim.

If you're physically able, gather evidence at the accident scene. Take photos of the intersection, crosswalk, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Note the exact location where you were struck and the direction the vehicle was traveling. This information helps our investigators reconstruct the accident and prove liability.

Report the accident to police and ensure an official accident report is filed. Never admit fault or apologize to the driver, as these statements can be used against you later. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting with an attorney. Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers as soon as possible for a free consultation. We'll protect your rights while you focus on recovery.

Insurance companies often employ aggressive tactics to minimize payouts in left-turn pedestrian accident cases. They may claim you were jaywalking, crossing against the signal, or failed to yield to the turning vehicle. Adjusters frequently offer quick, lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries, hoping you'll accept inadequate compensation.

Insurance companies also use surveillance and social media monitoring to find evidence that contradicts your injury claims. They may hire private investigators to film you performing activities that suggest you're not as injured as claimed. This is why it's crucial to follow all medical advice and be cautious about what you post online during your case.

Our attorneys level the playing field by conducting our own thorough investigation and building an airtight case for liability. We handle all communications with insurance companies, preventing them from twisting your words or pressuring you into unfavorable settlements. We're prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Our track record of successful case results demonstrates our commitment to maximizing client recovery.

Video evidence has become increasingly important in proving liability in left-turn pedestrian accidents. Many California intersections are equipped with traffic cameras, red light cameras, and surveillance systems that capture accidents as they occur. This footage provides objective evidence of exactly how the accident happened, including the traffic signal status, vehicle speed, and pedestrian location.

Nearby businesses often have security cameras that capture intersection activity. Gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and retail shops frequently have exterior cameras that record the street. Our legal team immediately identifies and preserves this footage before it's deleted or recorded over. We also use subpoenas to obtain footage from government agencies and private businesses that may be reluctant to voluntarily provide recordings.

Dashcam footage from other vehicles can also prove invaluable. Many drivers now use dashcams that continuously record their driving. Witnesses who saw your accident may have dashcam footage showing the collision from a different angle. We work diligently to locate and obtain all available video evidence to build the strongest possible case for your claim.

Certain pedestrians face heightened risks in left-turn accidents and may be entitled to additional compensation. Elderly pedestrians often move more slowly and may have difficulty judging vehicle speed and distance. When drivers fail to account for slower-moving elderly pedestrians in crosswalks, the results can be catastrophic. California law requires drivers to exercise extra caution around vulnerable pedestrians.

Children are particularly vulnerable to left-turn accidents because they're smaller and harder for drivers to see. They may also dart into crosswalks unexpectedly or fail to understand traffic signals. Drivers have a heightened duty of care in school zones and residential areas where children are likely to be present. Parents of injured children can pursue claims for medical expenses, future care needs, and the child's pain and suffering.

Pedestrians with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or white canes, require more time to cross intersections. Drivers making left turns must wait for these pedestrians to completely clear the crosswalk before proceeding. Failure to do so constitutes negligence and provides grounds for a strong pedestrian accident claim.

California's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you'll lose your right to pursue compensation regardless of how strong your case is. This makes it critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Some exceptions can extend or shorten this deadline. If the accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, you may need to file a claim with the appropriate government agency within six months. If the victim was a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended until they turn 18. However, waiting to pursue a claim can make it harder to gather evidence and locate witnesses.

Insurance claims have different deadlines than lawsuits. Most auto insurance policies require you to report accidents within a reasonable time, often within days or weeks. Failing to promptly report the accident can give the insurance company grounds to deny your claim. Our attorneys ensure all deadlines are met while building the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.

Left-turn pedestrian accident cases involve complex legal and factual issues that require experienced legal representation. Our attorneys understand California's pedestrian right-of-way laws, comparative negligence rules, and insurance company tactics. We have the resources to conduct thorough investigations, hire expert witnesses, and build compelling cases that maximize your compensation.

Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize their payouts. Without experienced legal representation, you're at a severe disadvantage. Our attorneys level the playing field by aggressively advocating for your rights and refusing to accept inadequate settlement offers. We're prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case. This allows you to access top-tier legal representation regardless of your financial situation. We advance all case costs including expert witness fees, investigation expenses, and court filing fees. You risk nothing by contacting us for a free consultation to discuss your case. Read our client testimonials to see how we've helped other pedestrians recover maximum compensation.