Houston Left-Turn Intersection Collision Lawyer
Injured in a Houston Left-Turn Accident? The Turning Driver Often Bears the Burden, but Fault Is Still Disputed. Discuss Your Claim Today
Left-turn accidents are among the most common crash types at Houston intersections, and they often produce serious injuries because the turning vehicle strikes the side of an oncoming vehicle with limited structural protection. Texas law places the duty to yield on the turning driver, but insurers frequently dispute fault by arguing the oncoming driver was speeding or ran a light. Adley Law Firm is a Houston personal injury firm that handles intersection and left-turn accident claims. Call (713) 999-8669 for a free consultation.
Texas Law on Left-Turn Crashes
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.152, a driver intending to turn left must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. This yield duty places the primary burden of care on the turning driver and means that when a left-turning vehicle strikes an oncoming vehicle, the turning driver is presumed at fault absent evidence that the oncoming driver violated a traffic law.
That presumption does not end the dispute. Insurers representing the turning driver regularly argue that the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a yellow or red light, or failed to take reasonable evasive action. Under Texas modified comparative fault, if those arguments succeed in assigning some percentage of fault to the oncoming driver, the recovery is reduced accordingly. The physical evidence, including signal timing data, vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, and any available surveillance footage, is often decisive in these disputes.
Houston’s dense intersection grid, particularly on Westheimer, Memorial, Kirby, and the major arterials crossing I-10 and US-59, generates a high volume of left-turn crashes. TxDOT data shows intersection crashes are among the leading crash types producing serious injuries in Harris County each year.
Signal Timing Data and Surveillance Footage Are Key Evidence
The City of Houston and TxDOT maintain signal timing records for signalized intersections. Private business cameras, traffic cameras, and dashcam footage from other vehicles often capture left-turn crashes. This evidence has a limited preservation window. Requesting it promptly through a preservation letter is an important early step in any left-turn intersection crash case.
Left-Turn Crash Evidence and Fault Disputes
Evidence That Shapes Left-Turn Accident Claims
Left-turn accident cases turn on the physical and electronic evidence that establishes what each driver was doing at the moment of impact. These are the key evidence categories and what each may show.
The speed argument is the most common insurer tactic in left-turn cases. When the insurer argues the oncoming driver was speeding, the EDR data from the oncoming vehicle is often the most direct counter. If the EDR shows the vehicle was traveling at or near the speed limit, the speed argument loses most of its force. Conversely, if the EDR shows significant over-limit speed, the comparative fault allocation becomes a genuinely contested issue that affects the recovery.
Left-Turn Crash Types and Injury Patterns
Common Left-Turn Accident Scenarios in Houston
Left-turn crashes occur in several distinct scenarios, each with different fault patterns and injury profiles.
What to Do After a Houston Left-Turn Accident
Call Police and Get a Crash Report
A police crash report documents the scene, the vehicles, any traffic control devices, and the officers’ initial assessment. In left-turn crashes where fault is likely to be disputed, the crash report is an important early record of the physical evidence.
Photograph the Scene and Vehicles
Photograph both vehicles, the intersection, any skid marks or debris, and all visible traffic signals and signs before leaving the scene. Note the time and whether any nearby businesses have exterior cameras.
Seek Medical Evaluation the Same Day
Left-turn crashes often produce lateral impact injuries including cervical and lumbar spine injuries, shoulder injuries, and head trauma. Same-day evaluation establishes the injury record before any dispute about causation can develop.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement First
The turning driver’s insurer will contact you promptly. Do not give a recorded statement before an attorney has reviewed the case and before you know the full scope of your injuries.
Contact Adley Law Firm
Call (713) 999-8669. Adley Law Firm can review the circumstances of the crash, send preservation letters for signal timing data and surveillance footage, and help you understand what your claim may involve.
What You May Be Able to Recover
Compensation in Left-Turn Accident Cases
Texas law may allow people injured in left-turn accidents to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for both economic and non-economic losses. The amount available in any particular case depends on the facts, fault allocation, injury severity, and the available insurance coverage.
- Medical expenses, including emergency evaluation, imaging, specialist care, physical therapy, and surgery if required
- Future medical expenses for injuries requiring ongoing treatment
- Lost wages during recovery and lost earning capacity for lasting injuries
- Physical pain and mental anguish, past and future
- Physical impairment from any lasting functional limitations
- Property damage to the vehicle
Texas modified comparative fault reduces recovery by the claimant’s percentage of fault and bars recovery entirely if fault exceeds 50 percent. Fault percentages assigned by insurance adjusters are not legal determinations and may be challenged with evidence. See also: dealing with insurance after a car accident.
Common Questions
Houston Left-Turn Accident FAQs
Is the left-turning driver always at fault in Texas?
Not always, though Texas Transportation Code Section 545.152 places the duty to yield on the turning driver. The presumption of fault may be overcome when the oncoming driver was speeding significantly, ran a red light, or otherwise violated a traffic law that contributed to the crash. Under Texas modified comparative fault, fault may be shared between drivers, which reduces but does not necessarily eliminate recovery for the injured party.
What if I was the turning driver and was hit by a speeding vehicle?
If you were the turning driver, the speed of the oncoming vehicle may be a factor in the comparative fault analysis. Evidence of the oncoming driver’s speed, such as EDR data, witness accounts, or pre-impact skid marks, would be relevant to establishing whether that driver’s speed contributed to the crash and whether you had a reasonable opportunity to complete the turn safely. The outcome depends on the specific facts and evidence.
How important is the surveillance footage in a left-turn case?
It can be very important. Footage that shows the signal phase at the time of the crash, the speed of the vehicles, and which driver had the right of way directly addresses the primary fault disputes in these cases. The challenge is that business cameras and traffic cameras often overwrite footage within a short period. Requesting preservation of footage quickly after a crash is important, because once it is overwritten it cannot be recovered.
Can I recover if the other driver’s insurer argues I was speeding?
Possibly. Texas modified comparative fault allows recovery as long as your fault does not exceed 50 percent. If the evidence shows you were traveling at or near the speed limit, the speed argument may not withstand scrutiny. EDR data from your own vehicle, which records speed and braking in the seconds before impact, is often the most direct evidence to counter a speed allegation. The fault determination is based on evidence, not just the insurer’s initial position.
How long do I have to file a left-turn accident claim in Houston?
Two years from the date of the crash under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. The more immediate concern is preserving signal timing data and surveillance footage, which may disappear within weeks.
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Real Google reviews from people we’ve represented. Each name links to the original post.
I highly recommend Adley Law firm, they were very professional, friendly and worked diligently to obtain a favorable outcome for my case. Thank you Juan for always making yourself available to answer any questions or concerns and keeping me informed with updates.
I highly recommend Adley Law Firm to anyone who needs a knowledgeable and compassionate accident lawyer. From day one, Juan Salazar was professional, responsive, and explained every step in terms I could understand. Thanks to their dedication, my case was settled faster than I expected, and the result exceeded my expectations.
The staff and entire team at Adley law firm is amazing! From day one, they were super easy to work with, professional but also really approachable. Juan went above and beyond for us. They took the time to explain everything in a way I could actually understand, and I always felt like they had my back. They were quick to respond, kept me in the loop, and got the results I was hoping for.
I really appreciate everyone at Adley Law Firm, especially Kevin, for being so patient and thorough in helping me get through the legal process. Kevin was always available to answer all my questions no matter how small. I highly recommend them if you are in need of a personal injury attorney.
Thank you Jon and Yankel did a great job on my case really appreciate their hard work and kept me up to date
Why Adley Law Firm
A Houston Firm for Intersection Accident Claims
Adley Law Firm is a Houston personal injury firm handling intersection and left-turn accident claims throughout Houston and Harris County. Founded by Kevin Adley, Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. The firm works on contingency, meaning no upfront costs and no fees unless compensation is recovered. Call (713) 999-8669.
Our Houston Office
1421 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002(713) 999-8669 · Get DirectionsNear the Harris County courthouse in downtown Houston.
Getting to Our Houston Office
We handle intersection accident claims throughout Houston and Harris County.
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Injured in a Houston Left-Turn Accident? Fault Is Often Disputed, Evidence Decides It.
Signal timing data and surveillance footage disappear quickly. We act early to preserve what the case may depend on. No fees unless we recover compensation.