Left-Turn and T-Bone Accident Fault
Last reviewed June 2026
Quick answer. The driver making a left turn is usually at fault in a left-turn or T-bone crash, because they must yield to oncoming traffic. The main exceptions are when the oncoming driver was speeding, ran a red light, or was otherwise breaking a traffic law at the moment of impact.
The Left-Turn Rule
A driver turning left must wait for a safe gap and yield to oncoming traffic. When a turning car is struck by, or strikes, a vehicle going straight, fault generally falls on the turning driver. T-bone (side-impact) crashes at intersections often come down to who had the right of way.
When Fault Shifts
- The oncoming driver ran a red light or stop sign.
- The oncoming driver was speeding well above the limit.
- The oncoming driver was distracted or impaired.
These facts can shift fault to the other driver or, in a comparative-fault state, split it. Intersection cameras, witness accounts, and the police report are decisive here.
Evidence That Decides These Cases
Signal timing, skid marks, vehicle damage angles, and any nearby camera footage tend to settle right-of-way disputes. Securing that evidence early matters because it disappears fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Left-Turning Driver Always at Fault?
Usually, but not always. If the driver going straight ran a light or was speeding, fault can shift or be shared depending on the state’s comparative-fault rule.
How Is Fault Proven in a T-Bone Crash?
Through right-of-way evidence: signal timing, witness statements, camera footage, and the damage pattern showing who entered the intersection lawfully.
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