You’re dealing with the aftermath of a left-hand turn crash, and the insurance company is already trying to blame you. The other driver claims they had the right of way. Your injuries are mounting medical bills, and you’re missing work. You know something isn’t right, but proving fault in a left-turn collision feels impossible.
At McCormick & Murphy P.C., we’ve seen this scenario countless times over our 60+ years of combined legal experience. Left-hand turn crashes are among the most complex intersection accidents to address legally, but they’re also cases where experienced legal representation can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation for your injuries.
Why Left-Hand Turn Crashes Are So Dangerous and Complex
Left-hand turn crashes account for approximately 61% of all intersection collisions, making them the leading cause of intersection accidents. This staggering statistic reflects the inherent complexity of left-turn maneuvers, where drivers must judge gaps in oncoming traffic while managing multiple variables simultaneously.
The physics alone make these crashes particularly devastating. When a vehicle making a left turn is struck by oncoming traffic, the impact often occurs at the driver’s side door, creating a high risk of serious injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries from side-impact forces
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures and orthopedic injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe lacerations from broken glass and twisted metal
What makes these cases legally complex is the common misconception that the turning driver is automatically at fault. While Colorado traffic laws do require left-turning drivers to yield to oncoming traffic, numerous factors can shift liability, including:
- Excessive speed by the oncoming vehicle
- Traffic signal violations
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Poor intersection design or visibility obstructions
- Mechanical failures or defective traffic control devices
The Real Challenges You Face After a Left-Turn Collision
Insurance companies know that most people assume the turning driver is at fault, and they use this to their advantage. Here are the most common challenges our clients face:
Automatic Fault Assumption
Insurance adjusters often rush to close cases by accepting the “left-turner is always wrong” narrative. They may offer quick, low settlements before you fully understand your injuries or have legal representation. This premature fault determination can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. We challenge these assumptions with evidence.
Difficult Evidence Gathering
Proving what really happened requires immediate action. Traffic camera footage gets overwritten, skid marks fade, and witness memories become unreliable. Without proper investigation, significant evidence disappears forever. We act quickly to secure this evidence for you.
Serious Injury Complications
The side-impact nature of many left-turn crashes often results in injuries that don’t fully manifest immediately. What seems like minor soreness can develop into chronic pain, requiring ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. We ensure your long-term health needs are considered.
Since 1995, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for Colorado clients facing exactly these challenges. Our approach focuses on immediate evidence preservation, thorough accident reconstruction, and building strong cases that hold all responsible parties accountable.
How We Build Your Left-Turn Crash Case for Success
Winning a left-turn crash case requires more than just showing up to court. It demands a systematic approach to evidence gathering and legal strategy that most general practice attorneys simply don’t possess.
Immediate Scene Investigation
We dispatch investigators to the crash scene within 24 hours when possible. Our team photographs road conditions, measures sight lines, documents traffic control devices, and identifies all potential sources of video evidence. This immediate response often uncovers factors that completely change the liability picture in your favor.
Advanced Accident Reconstruction
We work with certified accident reconstruction experts who use scientific methods to determine vehicle speeds, impact angles, and the sequence of events. These experts can often prove that the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent, shifting fault away from the turning driver and strengthening your claim.
Thorough Medical Documentation
Left-turn crash injuries often worsen over time. We ensure you receive proper medical evaluation and work with medical experts who understand the long-term implications of your injuries. This documentation becomes essential for securing compensation that covers future medical needs, not just current bills, ensuring your full recovery.
Traffic Engineering Analysis
Sometimes the intersection itself contributes to crashes through poor design, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning signals. We investigate whether governmental entities bear responsibility for dangerous conditions and pursue all available sources of compensation, expanding your potential recovery.
How Evolving Trends Impact Your Left-Turn Crash Case
The legal environment around left-turn crashes is evolving rapidly. Cities across Colorado and nationwide are implementing new policies that recognize the inherent dangers of left turns. Urban planners are increasingly restricting or eliminating left turns in downtown areas, acknowledging that these maneuvers create unacceptable safety risks.
This policy shift is significant for injury cases because it represents official recognition that left turns are inherently dangerous, even when performed legally. Commercial fleets like UPS have redesigned entire route systems to minimize left turns, reporting dramatic improvements in safety and efficiency.
For 2025, we’re seeing courts become more receptive to arguments about shared fault in left-turn crashes. The old assumption of automatic liability is giving way to more nuanced analysis of all contributing factors. Our firm stays ahead of these developments, using them to strengthen your case.
Additionally, the summer months continue to show elevated crash rates due to increased travel, making immediate legal action even more important as court calendars fill up with similar cases.
Understanding the Full Value of Your Case
Insurance companies want you to accept a quick settlement based on property damage and immediate medical bills. But left-turn crash cases often involve damages far beyond what’s immediately apparent:
- Current and future medical expenses – Including rehabilitation, physical therapy, and potential long-term care needs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity – Both current income loss and reduced future earning potential
- Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life
- Property damage – Full replacement value of your vehicle and personal property
- Punitive damages – In cases involving egregious negligence or impaired driving
Our clients regularly recover settlements and verdicts significantly higher than initial insurance offers. The difference comes from our thorough preparation and our commitment to refusing inadequate compensation, ensuring you receive what you’re truly owed.
Colorado-Specific Legal Considerations That Benefit You
Colorado’s comparative negligence law allows recovery even if you bear some responsibility for the crash, as long as your fault is less than 50%. This is particularly important in left-turn cases where fault may be shared between drivers, meaning you can still receive compensation.
Colorado also has specific statutes regarding intersection right-of-way that can affect your case. Our deep understanding of these nuances, combined with local expertise and experience with Colorado traffic laws and court procedures, allows us to build the strongest possible case for you.
Four Essential Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Left-Turn Crash
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, get evaluated by a medical professional within 24 hours. Left-turn crashes often cause injuries that don’t immediately present symptoms, and delayed medical treatment can hurt both your health and your legal case.
2. Preserve All Evidence
Take photos of vehicle damage, the intersection, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and request a copy of the police report. Don’t rely on others to preserve evidence for you; your own documentation can be invaluable.
3. Avoid Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters will contact you quickly, often within hours of the crash. Politely decline to give recorded statements until you’ve consulted with an attorney. These statements are designed to limit your recovery, not help your case.
4. Contact Experienced Legal Counsel Immediately
The sooner we can begin investigating your case, the stronger your position becomes. Evidence disappears quickly, and insurance companies move fast to limit their exposure. Let us start working for you right away.
Why McCormick & Murphy P.C. Delivers Stronger Outcomes
Not all personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle complex left-turn crash cases. These cases require specific expertise in traffic engineering, accident reconstruction, and the unique legal challenges of intersection collisions.
Our proven track record includes millions of dollars recovered for Colorado clients, with particular success in cases where other attorneys saw only difficult liability issues. We’ve built strong relationships with the best accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and traffic engineers in Colorado to support your claim.
Located at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, we serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver and Pueblo. Our statewide practice means we understand local court procedures and have established relationships with judges and opposing counsel throughout Colorado, giving you an advantage.
Common Questions and Our Answers
“I was making a left turn, so isn’t this automatically my fault?” Absolutely not. While left-turning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic, the other driver also has duties to maintain a proper lookout, obey speed limits, and avoid crashes when possible. We regularly win cases for clients who were making left turns by proving the other driver’s negligence.
“The insurance company says they’ll handle everything.” Insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing payouts, not maximizing your recovery. Having independent legal representation ensures someone is fighting exclusively for your interests and protecting your future.
“I can’t afford an attorney.” We handle left-turn crash cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is completely free, and we advance all case expenses, so there are no upfront costs to you.
Act Now – Time Is Critical for Your Case
Colorado’s statute of limitations gives you limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting that long severely damages your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate fair settlements.
Every day you wait is a day the insurance company uses to build their defense against you. Meanwhile, your medical bills are accumulating, you’re missing work, and your family is feeling the financial pressure.
Don’t let the insurance company’s quick settlement offer fool you into thinking your case is simple. Left-turn crashes require immediate, aggressive legal action to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Get Your Free, No-Obligation Case Evaluation Today
If you’ve been injured in a left-turn crash, you need answers now. Call us at (719)-389-0400 for a free consultation where we’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and outline a clear strategy for achieving maximum recovery.
You can also email us directly at [email protected] or contact us through our website. We respond to all inquiries within hours, not days, because your situation can’t wait.
For over 25 years, McCormick & Murphy P.C. has been helping Colorado families recover from serious accidents. We know how to win left-turn crash cases, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
Don’t face the insurance companies alone. Contact McCormick & Murphy P.C. today and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
