Columbia Left-Hand Turn Accident Lawyer

Left-turn crashes at Columbia intersections represent one of the most complex collision types in personal injury law. These accidents occur when a driver making a left turn across oncoming traffic misjudges distance, speed, or visibility, resulting in serious injuries to occupants of both vehicles.

Unlike straightforward rear-end collisions, left-turn accidents involve disputed liability, multiple conflicting witness accounts, and complex traffic laws. Determining fault requires a thorough investigation of traffic signals, right-of-way rules, and driver behavior. The attorneys at Stewart Law Offices have 30 years of experience investigating left-turn crashes in Columbia and recovering compensation for injured victims.

Why Left-Turn Collisions Are Particularly Dangerous

Left-turn crashes differ from other collision types because they often involve high-speed impacts to the driver’s side of one or both vehicles. The driver turning left must cross multiple lanes of traffic, creating opportunities for miscalculation and collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 40% of all crashes in the United States occur at intersections. Left-turn maneuvers are among the most dangerous actions drivers perform, requiring them to navigate multiple lanes of traffic, yield to oncoming vehicles, and watch for pedestrians simultaneously.

The force of a left-turn collision typically strikes the driver’s door area, where vehicles have less protective structure compared to front-end crumple zones. This direct impact on the occupant compartment often results in more severe injuries than other collision types.

Common Causes of Left-Turn Accidents in Columbia

Left-turn crashes in Columbia typically result from driver error, traffic violations, or hazardous road conditions. Common contributing factors include:

Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Under South Carolina law, drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. Failing to wait for a safe gap in traffic is the leading cause of left-turn collisions.
Misjudging Speed and Distance: Drivers often underestimate how fast approaching vehicles are traveling, particularly at high-speed intersections on roads like Two Notch Road or Garners Ferry Road.
Obstructed Views: Trees, buildings, parked vehicles, or other obstacles can block a driver’s view of oncoming traffic, making it difficult to judge when it’s safe to turn.
Running Red Lights or Turning on Yellow: Some drivers attempt to complete left turns as traffic signals change from yellow to red, colliding with vehicles that have just received a green light.
Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting navigation systems, or other distractions prevent drivers from seeing oncoming traffic. These crashes often overlap with texting while driving accidents in Columbia.
Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug impairment significantly reduces a driver’s ability to judge gaps in traffic and react appropriately.
Aggressive Driving: Impatient drivers who force left turns without waiting for safe gaps create collision risks.
Poor Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, or sun glare can reduce visibility and traction, making left turns more hazardous.

Intersection-Specific Hazards in Columbia

Columbia’s high-traffic intersections create additional challenges:

Malfunction Junction (I-20, I-26, I-126 interchange): Complex merging patterns and heavy traffic volumes
Two Notch Road and Beltline Boulevard: Multi-lane intersections with high-speed approaches
Assembly Street downtown: Pedestrian crossings, turning traffic, and one-way street confusion
Garners Ferry Road intersections: Commercial development creating unexpected turning movements

Common Injuries in Left Turn Collisions

Left-turn accidents frequently result in T-bone or side-impact collisions in which the striking vehicle’s front end strikes the turning vehicle’s driver or passenger door. These crashes often cause severe injuries because side doors provide minimal protection compared to front and rear crumple zones.

Because these crashes often involve a sudden lateral impact, victims may experience:

Head and brain trauma from a violent impact
Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
Fractures to ribs, arms, or pelvis
Whiplash and soft-tissue neck injuries
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Airbag and seatbelt-related injuries
Permanent disability or disfigurement

Many injuries do not fully develop symptoms until days later. Prompt medical treatment is essential both for your safety and for your injury claim.

Establishing Liability in Left-Turn Accidents

While South Carolina law generally requires left-turning drivers to yield to oncoming traffic, determining fault requires examining all the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Factors That Establish Liability:

Traffic Signal Status: The traffic light color for both vehicles at the time of impact determines which driver had right-of-way.
Speed of Oncoming Vehicle: If an oncoming driver was traveling significantly above the speed limit, they may share liability even if they had the green light.
Obstructions and Sight Lines: Physical obstructions that prevented the turning driver from seeing oncoming traffic may affect liability determinations.
Turn Signal Use: Failure to signal a left turn can contribute to fault allocation.

South Carolina’s Right-of-Way Laws for Left Turns

Drivers intending to turn left must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are within the intersection or close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, per South Carolina Code § 56-5-2320.

However, oncoming drivers also have duties. They must:

Maintain reasonable speeds
Remain vigilant for turning vehicles
Avoid aggressive driving that creates dangerous situations

Comparative Negligence in Left-Turn Cases

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence standard. Under this rule, injured parties can recover compensation only if they are 50 percent or less at fault for the collision. Any percentage of fault assigned to the victim reduces their compensation proportionally.

For example, if a jury determines total damages are $200,000 but finds the victim 30 percent at fault, the victim would recover $140,000 (70 percent of total damages). If the victim is found 51 percent or more at fault, they recover nothing.

Insurance companies frequently attempt to assign partial fault to injury victims to reduce payouts. Thorough evidence gathering and legal representation help counter these tactics.

Compensation Available in Left-Turn Crash Cases

Victims may recover damages for:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Visit Our Left-Hand Turn Accident Lawyer in Columbia

Insurance Company Tactics in Left-Turn Claims

Insurance companies employ various strategies to minimize payouts on left-turn collision claims:

Automatic Fault Assignment: Insurers often claim the left-turning driver is automatically at fault without investigating whether the oncoming driver violated traffic laws.
Speed Disputes: When fault is unclear, insurers may claim their insured was traveling at a reasonable speed, and the left-turning driver misjudged the gap.
Delayed Medical Treatment Arguments: Insurers claim injuries aren’t serious if victims don’t seek immediate medical attention.
Pre-Existing Condition Claims: Insurance companies attempt to attribute current injuries to pre-existing medical conditions rather than the crash.
Low Initial Settlement Offers: Quick settlement offers before the full extent of injuries is known can leave victims unable to pay for necessary future treatment.

Having experienced legal representation helps counter these tactics through expert testimony, thorough documentation, and aggressive negotiation.

Time Limits for Filing Left-Turn Accident Claims

South Carolina law requires car accident injury victims to file lawsuits within three years from the date of the crash. Missing this statute of limitations deadline typically results in permanent loss of the right to pursue compensation.

However, prompt action is essential. Evidence disappears over time, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance claim requirements often have much shorter deadlines. Consulting with a Columbia car accident attorney soon after a left-turn collision protects legal rights and preserves evidence.

Contact Our Columbia Left-Hand Turn Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a left-turn accident in Columbia or anywhere in the Midlands, contact Stewart Law Offices immediately. Our dedicated car accident attorneys provide free consultations and are available 24/7.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents create. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery. Call 803-743-4200 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.