I Was Making a Left Turn When I Was Hit. Does It Matter?

Mark had just finished dropping his kids off at school and was heading home through an intersection on Indian School in Phoenix. As the light turned yellow, he saw a gap and began his left turn, assuming the oncoming traffic would slow down. In a split second, an oncoming SUV accelerated to beat the light, crashing into the passenger side of Mark’s car. Mark thought he was clearing the intersection safely, but he’s about to find out that in Arizona, the simple act of turning left can change everything about his legal recovery.

Mark is exactly the type of client we see regularly at Desert Winds Law. We'll personally get to know him and his driving habits, making his ability to pick up his kids again a top priority. There are certain things we look for in cases, including left-hand turns, that add a new layer of complexity to a claim. Before you are ever look for a car crash lawyer in Phoenix, or are in a situation like Mark’s, you’ll need to know the driving habits that put you and your case at risk. More importantly, you’ll want to know the behaviors that can prevent accidents altogether.

Arizona has surprisingly strict left-turn laws, and many drivers have the wrong assumptions. It's important to know them to protect your safety and personal injury case.

Left-Turn Accidents Are Difficult to Dispute in Arizona

In Arizona, you need to be far more precise than you think when making a left turn. Our laws are very strict: ARS § 28-772 states that a driver turning left must yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is "within the intersection or so close... as to constitute an immediate hazard".

This means that if a collision occurs, the turning driver often faces an uphill battle, as the crash will be used by the other driver's insurance company as strong evidence that an "immediate hazard" existed.

Insurance Companies May Split Blame

Insurance companies are always looking for ways to limit their liability, and they often use these laws as a shield against paying the full value of a claim.

An insurance company can argue comparative negligence; that both you and the other driver share some of the fault. If an insurance adjuster can argue that you were even slightly at fault for failing to judge a gap correctly, they can slash your settlement by that percentage. They may assume you are at fault simply because you were the one turning, regardless of whether the other driver was speeding or distracted.

To protect your safety, and safeguard the highest possible settlement if you’re hit, you’ll need to know the common assumptions people have about left turns in Arizona - and what to do instead.

Problematic Behaviors to Watch For

• Beating a Yellow Light:

Most people think if the light turns yellow, oncoming traffic must stop. Legally, you must wait for them to stop or clear the area before you move. Even if they "run" a yellow, you are still the one crossing their path of travel.

• The “Stale Red”:

If the light turns red while you are already in the intersection, you are legally allowed to clear it when safe. However, you must still ensure no one is "racing the red" from the opposite side.

• Jumping the Light:

This is when a driver guns it the second a light turns green to turn left before oncoming traffic can move. This is illegal and highly dangerous.

• The “Follower” Mistake:

People often follow the car in front of them through a left turn without checking for themselves. As a safe practice, only one car should enter the intersection to wait for a gap to turn. If you follow someone through and the light changes, you are often legally liable for whatever happens next.

• Misjudging Speed:

Because of Phoenix's wide, flat roads, oncoming cars often travel 10–15 mph faster than they appear.

The Right Way to Make a Left

Knowing the correct way to handle this maneuver is surprisingly empowering. It’s your best defense against both accidents and unfair insurance tactics. By following these concrete steps, you can drive with the confidence that you are protecting your family and your legal rights:

• Establish Your Position Correctly:

You should enter the "box" (the intersection) while the light is green or a flashing yellow arrow is active. This positions you legally to clear the intersection once a safe gap appears.

• Keep Your Wheels Straight:

While waiting, keep your wheels pointed straight. Many drivers turn their wheels in anticipation, but if you are rear-ended while waiting, turned wheels will push you directly into oncoming traffic. Keeping them straight keeps you safely in your lane.

• If In Doubt, Yield:

You are the "captain" of your turn, and that means knowing exactly who to look for. You must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, nearby cyclists, and pedestrians in the crosswalk you are about to enter.

• Don’t Trust Others’ Movements:

Don't let the car in front of you make your decisions. Ensure you have your own clear view of the gap and the speed of oncoming traffic before you commit to the turn. Simply said: don’t rush just because of others nearby.

Proper Left Turns Protect Your Safety and Your Case

The topic might seem too simple, but turning left is a maneuver we do daily, and so many people get it wrong. You don't want to be the person who learns what you're supposed to do only after starting a personal injury claim, then getting a lesser settlement because of it.

So, does paying attention to how you make a left turn really matter that much? In a word: yes. You’ll protect yourself, your claim, and the people around you.

Get a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Gets It

Making sure everyday people have this seldom-known information is our priority. Desert Winds Law is committed to being a Phoenix injury law firm that makes community education a top priority. You need a lawyer who understands these nuances down to the details and can use them to have your back when you need it most.

Because when we all have what we need to drive safer and protect our rights if something goes wrong, we’re a healthier and more just community. Attorney Neil Udulutch is proud to be a compassionate personal injury lawyer who looks after our Arizona neighbors before, during, and long after any accidents occur.

You can talk to Neil one-on-one about your case for free by calling 480-790-9441.

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