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You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions related to right-turn accidents.
Courts will review evidence such as the police report, investigation by insurance companies, and witness statements to determine fault in a head-on collision.
A fault may be assigned in terms of percentages, which affects the claim payout in some states.
Yes, you can sue for injuries caused by a head-on crash.
If the crash was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for damages.
These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
There is no average settlement for a head-on collision, as every case is different and settlements are based on a variety of factors.
These factors include the severity of injuries, cost of medical treatment, and impact on the victim’s life.
It is important to work with a personal injury lawyer to determine a fair settlement amount based on the specific circumstances of your case.
In most cases, the motorist who makes the right-hand turn at a red light or yellow light is found at fault for a resulting accident.
Drivers making right turns have the duty to yield to oncoming vehicles before turning into moving traffic.
If you’ve been involved in a right-hand turn accident and want to seek compensation from the at-fault driver, there are several aspects you’ll need to prove to insurance companies.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney or car accident lawyer is the best way to prove these elements and get the compensation you deserve. LegalFinders is here to help you find the most equipped legal representation for your unique case.
The most common person found at fault in a right-hand turn car accident is the driver who made the right turn and collided with an oncoming car. Right turns can be made at traffic signals, such as at a green light, or traffic signs like a stop sign.
The driver who is at the traffic sign or signal does not have the right of way when compared to oncoming drivers already on the road. This means they must fully assess the situation and determine if turning at that time is the safest option.
There are times when another driver may share some of the fault with the turning driver.
In fault states where the level of fault impacts the amount of compensation a person is eligible for, you must be found 50% or less at fault.
In no-fault states, you’ll file an insurance claim with your own provider to receive compensation regardless of who caused the accident.
There are a few statistics available related directly to accidents involving right turns.
The following are some to consider as they relate to right-turn car accident cases:
There are a few primary legal options for those who have been involved but are not found at fault in a right turn accident. These options may include:
The first and most common option to take after being involved in a right-turn car crash is to file an auto accident claim with your or the other driver’s insurance provider. This is something your car accident attorney can help you do.
When filing a claim, you’ll need several pieces of evidence. This evidence often includes:
Once you submit your claim, an insurance adjuster will review the information and evidence and typically put together a settlement offer to compensate you for losses and damages.
If a loved one was killed in the accident, you may choose to file a wrongful death claim. This is typically done through the use of a personal injury lawyer, who can walk you through the steps and represent your case with insurance and in court.
The point of a wrongful death case is to seek compensation for losses associated with your loved one’s death. These losses may include pain and suffering, medical bills, and funeral expenses.
There are several factors that can ultimately contribute to or result in a right-hand turn auto accident. Some of the most commonly seen include:
A failure to yield to oncoming traffic at a right-hand turn is a direct violation of the rules of the road and can quickly cause an accident.
Drivers must come to a complete stop at the right-hand turn, assess the situation, then make the turn when it is safe. This is true for both right- and left-turning drivers.
Another common contributor to right-hand turn car accidents is speeding. This is true for both oncoming traffic and for the person making the turn.
Speeding can reduce a person’s ability to slow down when necessary and prevent a crash. For example, if an oncoming driver is speeding while changing lanes, they may not be able to stop or slow down in time for a driver making a right-hand or left-hand turn.
If a driver does not check their blind spots before making a left turn or right turn at a traffic signal or stop, they may not see an oncoming car. This can result in a crash with a vehicle coming from either the same or opposite direction as the turning driver.
Making turns into oncoming traffic while distracted is incredibly dangerous and can quickly result in an auto collision. Distraction can lower your ability to clearly assess the situation and reduce your ability to stop a turn in time to prevent an accident.
Another cause of right-turn accidents is when the driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol. These substances can reduce your ability to make sound decisions and decrease your processing and reaction time.
Whether you or other accident victims experience serious injuries will largely depend on how fast the vehicles were going at the time of the crash and where your vehicle was hit.
Common injuries seen in right-turn accidents include:
If you suffered severe injuries in the accident, you may want to work with your law firm to determine if an injury case is the best option for seeking compensation.
There are several right-turn traffic laws enforced nationally regardless of which state you live in. These laws include:
The Right Turn on Red, or RTOR, law allows motor vehicles to make a right-hand turn at a red traffic signal after coming to a complete stop and determining it is safe.
Drivers must yield to cross-street traffic and pedestrians. Failure to do so can result in an accident as well as a fine.
A component of RTOR that is sometimes enforced is part-time right turn on red. This is when, during certain periods of the day, right turns are made illegal to reduce possible accidents. Part-time RTOR is most often seen during busier periods such as rush hour.
Some traffic signal areas will prohibit turning on red entirely due to the heavy volume of traffic, pedestrians, or both. This means that making a right turn while the traffic signal is red is illegal.
The specific penalties a motorist will encounter for failing to yield during a right turn will depend on their location and the state they are in. For example, in Florida, failure to yield before turning can cost you up to $500 in fines.
Other common penalties for failing to yield include traffic tickets and traffic citations.
The damages experienced in right-hand turn accidents are often similar to those in other types of car crashes.
The exact damages depend on several factors, including how fast the vehicles were going at the time of the crash, how many cars were involved, and where the vehicles were hit.
Examples of damages that may be seen in right-hand turn accident claims include:
Your attorney can help you determine which damages apply to your case and help you best prove them when filing an auto accident claim.
There are several factors that play a role in the outcome of a right-turn crash case. Some of these include:
Which driver was at fault for a right-hand turn car accident isn’t always immediately obvious. However, this will need to be determined when filing a claim or case.
In most instances, the motorist who made the right-hand turn is at fault for the accident. Your attorney can help you determine whether you had any fault in the accident before going to court.
The percentage of negligence an at-fault driver has is also an important component in an auto accident case. While the driver may have caused the accident, they may not have been acting in a negligent manner.
For example, if the motorist experienced car issues, such as faulty brakes, which resulted in the crash, their negligence level would be much lower than someone who was drunk driving.
If traffic signage is not clearly visible or faulty, this could also result in a right-hand turn car accident. In this case, none of the drivers involved may be found at fault, or they may only hold a small percentage of fault.
Another important factor that can significantly impact a right-hand turn car accident case is the strength of the evidence proving who was at fault. Without strong evidential support, it can be hard to determine who should be held liable for the crash.
Examples of evidence that may be used in your case include:
A right-turn car accident attorney can help you every step of the way throughout the claims and potentially court process. It’s especially important to have solid legal advice when your case is more complex.
Examples of ways your attorney can provide assistance throughout this process include:
If you’ve been involved in a right-turn car accident caused by another driver and aren’t sure what your next steps should be, reach out to LegalFinders.
We’d be happy to help you find a qualified and experienced car accident attorney in your area who has specific knowledge related to your unique case.
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Published: 4 January 2024
Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2023, April 6). “Motor Vehicle Safety Data”. Retrieved April 4, 2023 from https://www.bts.gov/content/motor-vehicle-safety-data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 6). “Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries.” Retrieved April 4, 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/crash-injuries/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 6). “Transportation Safety”.
Retrieved April 4, 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/index.html.
