Right turns cause more crashes than most drivers realize. A turning vehicle has to clear pedestrians, cyclists, and cross traffic all at once, and a single moment of lapsed judgment can put someone in the hospital. These collisions happen at low speeds but produce serious injuries, especially for people outside the vehicle. If you were hit during a right turn in California, the steps you take now affect what you can recover later. Reach out to our car accident lawyers in Bakersfield for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Right Turn Collisions
Right turn crashes almost always come down to driver error. Some of the most common causes include:
- Failing to yield to pedestrians crossing with the walk signal
- Turning right on red without coming to a complete stop
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic
- Swinging wide into an adjacent lane instead of staying tight to the curb
- Ignoring cyclists in a marked bike lane or shoulder
- Distracted driving, especially glancing at a phone mid-turn
- Blind spots created by parked cars, trucks, or large SUVs
Who Is Typically at Fault in a California Right Turn Accident?
In most cases, the driver making the right turn is responsible. California law requires the turning driver to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, cyclists traveling straight, and vehicles already proceeding through the intersection. That said, fault isn’t automatically assigned.
For example, a driver going straight through the intersection may share the blame if they were speeding, running a red light, or weaving between lanes at the time of the collision. A pedestrian who steps into the street erratically or against a “Don’t Walk” signal can also bear partial responsibility.
Pursuing Compensation After a Right Turn Accident
If you are involved in a right turn accident in California, you can pursue legal action through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit—as long as someone else was at fault. To secure a settlement, you will need to prove that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through negligent behavior behind the wheel, and directly caused your injuries as a result.
If your claim is successful, you can recover compensation for:
- Emergency room treatment, surgeries, and ongoing medical care
- Future medical expenses tied to your injuries
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to the same job
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs or replacement
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Reduced quality of life or permanent disability
How California’s Comparative Fault Law Applies to Right Turn Crashes
In some cases, both parties are partially responsible for a right turn accident. Suppose a driver turns right on red without fully stopping and strikes a cyclist, and that cyclist was riding the wrong way down the bike lane at the time of impact. Or a driver swings wide into the next lane during a turn and clips a vehicle that was traveling several miles per hour over the speed limit.
When this happens, California’s pure comparative fault rule will apply. You can still recover damages even if you share some of the blame, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $80,000.
Contact a California Car Accident Attorney for Guidance
Insurance companies start building their case the moment a right turn crash is reported. You should be doing the same. Contact a Bakersfield personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and start pursuing the compensation that you need to move forward.