Left-turn accidents are common and often dangerous on Indiana roads because they frequently involve cars passing through intersections or turning across multiple lanes of oncoming traffic. Drivers making left turns usually have to judge the speed and distance of other vehicles, which is tricky and can easily lead to a collision if even the smallest mistake is made. Understanding exactly who is at fault matters under Indiana law because it directly affects who pays for injuries and damage after a crash. An experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer can help determine liability and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation. The following are some of the parties that are most likely to be found liable in a left-turn accident:
Left Turn Driver
The driver making the left turn is most often at fault in Indiana. Traffic laws require a turning motorist to yield to oncoming vehicles and only turn when it’s safe. If the left-turning driver misjudges the speed or distance of oncoming cars, enters the intersection on a yellow or red light, turns without signaling, or fails to check for pedestrians, they may bear all or most liability.
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Oncoming (Non-Turning) Driver
Responsibility might shift to the oncoming driver if they were speeding, ran a red light, misused a turn lane, or were distracted (by their phone, passengers, eating, or something else). In these cases, their share of fault can reduce how much they receive in compensation.
Pedestrians or Cyclists
Occasionally a pedestrian or cyclist enters crosswalks outside a signal, darts into the road, or is not clearly visible due to dark clothing. If their actions were negligent and contributed to the crash, a judge or insurance company may assign some level of blame to them.
Government Entities
A city or the state may also be implicated if the intersection has poor signage, badly timed or malfunctioning traffic signals, overgrown shrubbery obscuring visibility, or a design flaw making left turns unreasonably risky. In these cases, you may be able to bring a claim against the appropriate entity.
Construction or Maintenance Companies
When road work, temporary barriers, hidden debris, or poor traffic control due to construction activities complicate intersections, the construction or maintenance company overseeing the area may be partly liable.
Shared Liability
Shared fault is a common issue in left-turn wrecks, and Indiana law has clear rules about what happens when both drivers (or other parties) are to blame. Knowing how comparative fault works can make a big difference in whether and how much you can recover after a crash.
Indiana’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Indiana uses a modified comparative fault rule. If an injured party is 51% or more responsible for an accident, they are completely barred from collecting any money for their losses. As long as you’re found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation. IC 34-51-2-6 Barring of recovery; degree of contributory fault Sec. 6. (a) In an action based on fault that is brought against: (1) one (1) defendant; or (2) two (2) or more defendants who may be treated as a single party; the claimant is barred from recovery if the claimant’s contributory fault is greater than the fault of all persons whose fault proximately contributed to the claimant’s damages. (b) In an action based on fault that is brought against two (2) or more defendants, the claimant is barred from recovery if the claimant’s contributory fault is greater than the fault of all persons whose fault proximately contributed to the claimant’s damages. [Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-33-4.]
How Sharing Blame Changes Compensation
Under this system, your final payout is reduced based on your assigned share of fault. Once a jury or adjuster has decided the percentage of fault for each party, compensation is split (or denied) accordingly. For example, if you are entitled to $100,000 but found 30% responsible, you only receive $70,000. Understanding these fault rules matters a lot, as it shapes how much money you will ultimately receive. Figuring out exactly who’s at fault is complicated, but a personal injury lawyer can help.
Types of Evidence Used to Determine Fault
If you’re involved in a left-turn accident in Indiana, figuring out who was at fault means gathering and presenting certain types of evidence. This usually includes:
Police Accident Reports
A responding officer usually documents the scene, collects statements, sketches the intersection, and sometimes makes early conclusions about blame. These reports essentially explain what happened and may also provide witness contact information as well. Police reports are not determinative, but they can be a helpful piece of evidence.
Eyewitness Statements
Passersby, other motorists, or nearby residents who actually watched the crash occur can offer their opinion of what happened. This can back up your story and help you prove liability.
Surveillance or Dash Camera Footage
Whether it comes from security cameras from local businesses or dash cams in vehicles, recordings of the incident can provide objective evidence of what happened leading up to, during, and after the crash.
Photos of the Scene
Pictures showing vehicle positions, traffic signals, intersection layout, skid marks, or damage to the vehicles make it possible to recreate what happened. They help experts determine impact points, stopping distances, and the direction each vehicle was headed.
Traffic Signal Data
Lawyers sometimes request data from city signal systems to uncover mistimed lights that played a role in the accident.
Cell Phone Records
If you and your lawyer believe the other driver may have been distracted by their phone at the time of the accident, they can obtain cell phone records to try to prove this. This can show if there were any calls, texts, or other activity on the phone at or around the time of the accident. The best way to collect all the evidence you need is to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
After a Left-Turn Accident After a left-turn accident, everything from insurance claims to medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. Working with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer can make a major difference in how your case is handled and how much compensation you ultimately receive. Here’s what they do for you:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly, gathering police reports, photos, and witness statements to establish what really happened at the intersection.
- Coordinating with accident reconstruction experts to analyze traffic patterns, vehicle damage, and timing of lights and signals.
- Negotiating directly with insurance companies so you don’t get pressured into an early, unfair settlement or get blamed for more fault than is accurate.
- Ensuring important deadlines are met and all legal paperwork is correctly filed, protecting your right to recover damages.
- Calculating not just medical expenses, but lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care to be sure any settlement accounts for all your losses.
- Taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer
If you’ve been hurt in a left-turn crash and want guidance, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
