Who is usually at fault in a Nevada left-turn crash?

Typically, the left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic. However, fault may be shared if the through-driver was speeding, distracted, or ran a red light.

What compensation can I seek after a left-turn crash?

Damages may include medical expenses and future care, lost income and earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Left-Turn Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas, NV

Name: Brian Boyer Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas
Price range: $

Driving in Las Vegas can be a scary thought–especially in rush-hour traffic. With the advent of the flashing yellow light, left turns have become an even scarier thought.

When another person causes a crash, the resulting damage can be devastating. Left-turn accidents are among some of the most dangerous crashes we have seen as the resulting injuries can be devastating.

By working with an experienced left-turn accident lawyer, you can rest assured knowing your rights will be adequately protected and you’ll be one step closer to attaining the compensation you deserve.

At Brian Boyer Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas, we build strong, evidence-driven cases and push back against insurance tactics so you can focus on healing.

Call (702) 514-1414 or contact us online for a free case review.

Steps to Take Following a Left-Turn Accident In Las Vegas, NV

The choices you make in the hours and days after a crash can dramatically affect your compensation.

Call 911 and request police response. The officer’s report anchors key facts (signals, lanes, statements, citations). Ask how to obtain the report number.
Document the scene immediately. Photograph traffic lights, lane markings, turn arrows, debris fields, skid/yaw marks, vehicle damage, airbag deployment, and any visual obstructions (buses, landscaping, construction barriers).
Capture the intersection’s signal phase. A quick video showing the signal timing (protected/permissive left, flashing yellow) can be powerful later.
Collect witness info. Neutral witnesses often decide liability disputes—get names, phone numbers, and short voice memos if they agree.
Seek prompt medical care—same day. Gaps in treatment hurt claims. Tell providers every body part that hurts, even if “minor.”
Preserve video and data. Save dash-cam clips; note nearby businesses with cameras (gas stations, hotels, casinos). Ask your lawyer to send preservation letters quickly.
Do not debate fault at the scene. Stick to facts for the officer; don’t apologize or speculate on speed or signals.
Report the claim, but don’t give a recorded statement yet. Saying the wrong thing to the insurance company can jeopardize your claim. Leave the talking to your attorney.
Avoid social media. Even the most innocent post can be used against you.
Call a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. Early legal help speeds evidence collection (traffic-cam requests, black-box downloads) and protects your rights.

Common causes of left-turn accidents in Nevada

Left-turn wrecks are rarely “just bad luck.” They usually flow from specific, provable driver errors or conditions:

Failure to yield on a permissive left. Turning across oncoming traffic without a green arrow requires yielding until the path is clear.
Misjudged gap selection. Drivers underestimate oncoming speed on wide corridors like Sahara Ave., Charleston Blvd., Flamingo Rd., Eastern Ave., and Rainbow Blvd.
Speeding and aggressive acceleration. Through-traffic that sprints the yellow or red reduces the turner’s margin for error.
Distracted driving. Phone use, navigation entries, and in-vehicle infotainment cause deadly millisecond delays.
Signal confusion. Flashing yellow arrows and mixed protected/permissive cycles trip up unfamiliar drivers and tourists.
Obstructed sight lines. Box trucks, buses, landscaping, median signage, or multi-lane queues can hide oncoming cars, motorcycles, and cyclists.
Impaired driving (alcohol/drugs/fatigue). Slowed perception and decision-making magnify left-turn risks.
Poor visibility and night glare. Desert dusk, headlight glare, or rain on pavement reduces depth perception.
Mechanical defects. Inoperative turn signals, brake failures, or balding tires increase stopping distances and confusion.
Construction zones and odd geometry. Temporary cones, shifted lanes, and offset intersections alter normal sight lines.

Common Injuries Resulting from Left-Turn Crashes in Las Vegas

The angle and closing speeds in left-turn crashes produce both blunt-force and rotational trauma:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & concussions: Head strikes and sudden deceleration; symptoms can be delayed (headache, fogginess, light sensitivity).
Cervical and lumbar injuries: Whiplash, disc herniations, facet injuries, nerve impingement causing radiating pain or numbness.
Fractures: Clavicle, ribs, pelvis, wrists/ankles, femur, and facial bones from steering-wheel/airbag impact.
Spinal cord injury & paralysis: From high-energy impacts or burst fractures.
Internal injuries: Organ contusions, spleen/liver lacerations, internal bleeding requiring urgent imaging.
Chest and shoulder trauma: Seatbelt and airbag injuries; sternum/rib fractures, rotator cuff tears.
Soft-tissue damage: Muscle/tendon strains, ligament sprains (knee/shoulder), deep contusions.
Psychological harm: Anxiety, driving phobia, sleep disturbance, and PTSD.

Early diagnosis matters—follow through with imaging, specialists, and therapy to document the full scope of harm.

Recoverable Damages Following a Left-Turn Accident

You can pursue compensation for both the financial and psychological losses associated with the collision. These damages are known as economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages (hard costs)

Emergency transport, ER care, imaging, surgery, hospitalization
Post-acute care, physical therapy, pain management, and future medical needs
Prescription costs and medical devices
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity (retraining limits, permanent restrictions)
Property damage: repair, diminished value, or total loss replacement
Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation to care, childcare, home modifications)

Non-economic damages (human impact)

Pain and suffering (acute and chronic)
Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of hobbies/activities
Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of independence
Loss of consortium (impact on close relationships)

Punitive damages may be available in egregious cases (e.g., extreme recklessness or impaired driving). Your attorney can evaluate whether the facts support a punitive claim under Nevada law.

Your lawyer should also coordinate benefits (health insurance, med-pay, UM/UIM), manage lien resolution, and protect you from subrogation overreach so more of the recovery goes to you.

Establishing Fault for a Left-Turn Collision in Las Vegas

Nevada generally requires a left-turning driver to yield to oncoming traffic unless a protected green arrow grants the right-of-way. But “left-turn = always at fault” is a myth—liability can shift or be shared.

Legal framework (plain-English overview)

Turning/Right-of-Way Rules: Nevada traffic laws require left-turners to yield until it’s safe to proceed (including when visibility is limited).
Comparative Negligence (NRS 41.141): You can recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault; your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Evidence wins cases: The clearer the evidence, the stronger your liability position.

Proof we gather to establish fault

Signal timing & phasing: Obtaining timing charts, controller logs, and video to show who had the green/protected arrow.
Scene forensics: Skid/yaw marks, crush profiles, debris trails, lane positions, and rest locations support reconstructions of speed and angles.
EDR (“black box”) data: Pre-impact speed, throttle, and braking from modern vehicles.
Video sources: Dash-cams, traffic cams, transit/casino/hotel security cameras near corridors like Las Vegas Blvd., Spring Mountain Rd., Flamingo Rd., and Tropicana Ave.
Witness statements: Neutral bystanders often resolve “green vs. red” disputes.
Visibility studies: Photos and measurements showing sight obstructions (parked delivery trucks, landscaping, bus stops).
Impairment/speed evidence: Citations, field sobriety, toxicology, cell-phone metadata, or telematics.

When the through-driver shares fault

Entering the intersection on a stale yellow or red
Excessive speed that made a safe gap unsafe
Distraction (texting, GPS entry) or impairment
Overtaking in the intersection or improper lane use

Bottom line: we build a fact-rich narrative that makes fault impossible to ignore.

How We Maximize Your Case Value

Early, aggressive investigation: Preservation letters, rapid scene work, and video hunts before footage overwrites.
Medical mapping: Linking each injury to the crash, projecting future care, and quantifying limitations on work and life.
Diminished value & total loss: Ensuring your vehicle claim reflects real market impact.
Negotiation leverage: Presenting a prosecutor-style liability package (photos, timelines, expert opinions) that insurers don’t want to test at trial.
Trial readiness: We prepare every case as if it will be tried—because that’s how you get full-value settlements.

Extra Legal Insights for Nevada Drivers

Do Pedestrians Always Have Right-of-Way in Left-Turn Cases?

Not always. In Nevada, a driver turning left must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully in the intersection or crosswalk, including when signals permit them to cross. But pedestrians don’t “always” have the right-of-way—they must obey signals and can’t suddenly step off the curb into the path of a vehicle; crossing against the signal or outside a crosswalk can shift fault. Any resulting claim is decided under Nevada’s comparative negligence rule, which reduces recovery by your share of fault and bars it if you’re more than 50% at fault.

Are Motorcyclists More Vulnerable in Left-Turn Accidents?

Statistically speaking, yes. Due to their limited protections and safety gear, motorcyclists are 28x more likely to suffer serious and even fatal injury when involved in an accident when compared to a traditional vehicle collision.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

The State of Nevada permits a two-year limitations period for most injury victims to file a claim for compensation. Certain exceptions to this rule apply, so it is important to consult an experienced attorney to discuss your specific timeframe.

What Happens if the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (“UM/UIM”), you may qualify for an injury claim against your own insurance company. In other cases, you may be able to sue the negligent driver personally.

Contact Brian Boyer Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas for a Free Case Review

If a left-turn collision upended your life, put a local team in your corner that knows the Las Vegas roadways, insurer playbooks, and Nevada law.

Call (702) 514-1414 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll explain your rights, outline next steps, and start protecting evidence today.

Left-Turn Accident FAQ’s

Who is usually at fault in a left-turn crash?

Typically speaking, the driver who is turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. The only exceptions to this rule is if the left-turning driver is turning at a green light or is completing their turn at a stop-sign.

What Nevada laws apply to left-turn accidents?

NRS 484B covers turning and right-of-way rules; NRS 41.141 governs comparative negligence, which can reduce recovery by your percentage of fault if it’s under 51%.

How do I prove the other driver caused my left-turn collision?

To prove the other driver caused your crash, you can use dash-cam footage, intersection video, vehicle damage pattern, EDR (“black box”) data, and witness testimony. In some cases, an expert reconstructionist can be hired to help establish fault.

What if I’m partly at fault?

Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule permits any injury victim to recover compensation as long as they are found to be less than 51% at fault for the crash.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Most Nevada personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the crash. Certain exceptions to this rule may apply so it is important to consult with an attorney regarding your specific claim.

What compensation can I collect after a left-turn crash?

Following a left-turn crash, you can be eligible to collect both economic and non-economic damages, such as: medical bills and future care, lost wages and earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Do pedestrians and cyclists have special protections?

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked/unmarked crosswalks and watch for cyclists and motorcyclists. Failing to check the intersection before turning is considered negligent and if a crash were to occur, there is a high probability that they could be found wholly or partially responsible.

What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) and med-pay may apply. It is important that you report any hit-and-run accident immediately and document all treatment.

Should I talk to the insurance adjuster right away?

No–not before speaking with an attorney. Early statements and quick settlements can result in a lesser financial award. If you decide to hire an attorney, they will handle all insurance communications on your behalf.

What should I do right after a left-turn collision?

Call 911, get medical care, photograph the scene, gather witness info, preserve dash-cam footage, and consult a Las Vegas car accident lawyer.

Related Content

CONTACT OUR LAW FIRM

FREE CONSULTATION

Nevada Practice Areas

Phone Consultations Available

Our personal injury attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada never settles for less.
Call 702-514-1414 or Contact Us or Visit Us for a free case review.

Schedule A Free Consultation 24/7

All information submitted is used exclusively by our personal injury law firm.

Left Turn Accidents in Las Vegas, NV