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Left-turn accidents are among the most common intersection crashes in California — and the left-turning driver is at fault in approximately 95% of cases. Under California Vehicle Code §21801, a driver intending to turn left “shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction” until the turn can be made safely. Left-turn crashes routinely produce severe injuries because impacts often hit the passenger side at significant speed. Settlements range from $25,000 for moderate injuries to $5,000,000+ for catastrophic and fatal cases. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 you have 2 years to file. Call Sky Law Group 24/7 at (844) 475-9529. Hablamos Español. Why Left-Turn Drivers Are Almost Always at Fault California Vehicle Code §21801(a) is unambiguous: a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic until the turn can be completed safely. The same rule applies to U-turns under §22102. Common left-turn fault scenarios: Left turn into oncoming traffic — Most common scenario. Left-turner misjudges speed/distance of oncoming vehicle “Sneaking” the yellow light — Left-turner enters the intersection on yellow and gets stuck when light turns red Failure to yield to motorcycle — Drivers chronically fail to perceive motorcyclists. Left-turn-vs-motorcycle crashes account for over 40% of motorcycle fatalities Left turn from middle/wrong lane — CVC §22100 requires left turns from the leftmost lane available Left turn at unprotected intersection — When green light has no left-turn arrow Left turn through gap in stopped traffic — Driver doesn’t see oncoming vehicle in adjacent lane that wasn’t […]