Pedestrians legally have the right of way in California yet that offers little comfort if a car turning left strikes them. Left turn lanes are among the riskiest places for car pedestrian interactions. Up to 25 percent of pedestrian versus vehicle accidents happen while a car is turning left.
Why Left Turn Intersections Pose Higher Danger
Cars making left turns often have to wait in the intersection watching for gaps in traffic. They may turn when oncoming traffic allows and fail to notice pedestrians in the crosswalk. Pedestrians may find themselves crossing even when the signal is green but a left turning driver suddenly enters their path. Drivers committed to the turn may feel pressure not to block traffic and proceed through the intersection risking striking someone crossing.
Who Is Liable When a Pedestrian Is Hit
Under California law drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks or intersections regardless of traffic or signal conditions. If a driver hits a pedestrian in a crosswalk they are usually liable. Pedestrians also have a responsibility to exercise due care. Courts recognize that someone who starts crossing abruptly just before a light changes may share fault.
How to Prevent Left Turn Pedestrian Collisions
Pedestrians should wait for a clear opportunity to cross especially when signals allow enough time. If a countdown timer shows very few seconds remaining it is safer to wait for the next cycle. Drivers should be especially cautious in left turn lanes watch for people crossing and not rush turns just because a gap appears in oncoming traffic.
How Hillstone Law Can Help
If you have been injured in a left turn pedestrian accident Hillstone Law can assist you in gathering evidence documenting the crash evaluating liability negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing compensation.
Note: These blog posts are created solely for the use of Hillstone Law. The information is gathered from internet research, publicly available sources, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. While we aim to share helpful and educational content, Hillstone Law does not independently verify every detail. Some information may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change without notice. If you believe any part of a post is inaccurate, misleading, or infringes upon copyright, please contact Hillstone Law immediately so we can review it and take appropriate action, including correction or removal.
Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
