Pedestrians are frequently struck by turning vehicles at intersections and driveways. Drivers focused on traffic gaps often fail to see pedestrians in their turning path. These accidents establish clear liability when drivers neglect their duty to yield to crossing pedestrians.
Right Turn Accidents
Drivers turning right often look left for traffic while ignoring pedestrians approaching from the right in crosswalks.
Right on red turns are particularly dangerous. Drivers focus on traffic gaps rather than crosswalk pedestrians.
Pedestrians may have walk signals while drivers also have green lights, creating conflict situations where drivers must yield.
Left Turn Accidents
Left-turning drivers cross through crosswalks while watching oncoming traffic, often failing to check for pedestrians.
Yielding to traffic creates urgency that leads drivers to rush through turns without checking crosswalks.
Pedestrians crossing parallel to traffic may have right of way when drivers turn into their path.
Driveway Turn Accidents
Vehicles entering and exiting driveways cross sidewalks where pedestrians have right of way.
Drivers focused on street traffic may not check sidewalks before crossing them.
Commercial driveways with high vehicle traffic are particularly dangerous for pedestrians.
Driver Duties to Pedestrians
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when making turns. The duty to yield doesn't end because the driver is turning.
When conflicting with pedestrians, drivers must stop and wait for pedestrians to clear the crosswalk.
Drivers must check both directions for pedestrians before turning, not just for vehicle traffic.
Intersection Design Factors
Large intersection radii allow faster turns, giving drivers less time to see and stop for pedestrians.
Channelized turn lanes create pedestrian conflict points away from main intersections.
Permissive left turn signals (green arrows showing left turn yield) create pedestrian conflicts that protected arrows (green arrows with exclusive right to turn) avoid.
Proving Turning Vehicle Negligence
Traffic camera footage often captures intersection accidents. Request footage from traffic management systems.
Signal timing records establish whether pedestrians had walk signals when struck.
Witness testimony from other pedestrians, drivers, and passengers confirms right of way.
Common Driver Defenses
Drivers claim pedestrians entered suddenly. However, crosswalks are where pedestrians belong, and drivers must watch for them.
Arguments that pedestrians were in drivers' blind spots acknowledge driver failure to check properly before turning.
Claims of pedestrian distraction don't eliminate driver duties to yield.
Injuries from Turning Vehicles
Turning vehicle impacts often strike pedestrians from the side, causing hip and leg injuries.
Pedestrians may be knocked down and run over by turning vehicles, causing severe injuries.
Even low-speed turns cause serious injuries when vehicles strike unprotected pedestrians.
Multiple Vehicle Situations
When turning drivers strike pedestrians while avoiding other vehicles, multiple parties may share liability.
Drivers who block crosswalks and force pedestrians into traffic lanes may contribute to accidents caused by other vehicles.
Investigation should identify all vehicles involved and their contributions to the accident.
Damages in Turning Accident Cases
Medical expenses for emergency treatment and ongoing care for serious pedestrian injuries.
Lost wages during recovery from debilitating injuries.
Pain and suffering for physical trauma and emotional distress.
Protecting Your Claim
Document the intersection - crosswalks, signals, sight lines, and traffic patterns.
Obtain signal timing records showing whether you had the walk signal.
Consult a pedestrian accident attorney who can reconstruct the accident and establish driver negligence in failing to yield while turning.