Left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers on DC roads, especially at high-conflict intersections like Florida Avenue NE near the former Dave Thomas Circle, Dupont Circle, and along corridors such as Connecticut Avenue, Georgia Avenue, and New York Avenue NE. One misjudged gap in traffic can have devastating consequences. Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers bring nearly 200 years of combined experience to investigating these complex crashes. Our board-certified attorneys know how to prove fault in split-second collisions, from timing sequences and sightline issues to vehicle speed and driver distraction.
Backed by over 100 5-star Google reviews, we employ our significant resources and skills to secure life-changing outcomes for our clients. Our award-winning attorneys have achieved multiple eight-figure recoveries, including $15 million, $14 million, $10.6 million, and $10 million for victims of severe car accidents. With two partners ranked among the top 1% of the nation’s trial lawyers, we front all case costs, retain expert witnesses, and work to ensure full and fair compensation.
Were you injured in a left-turn accident in Washington, DC? We know how quickly a routine drive can change everything. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back personally. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
Complete this form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible
This unfortunate scenario is all too common. Nearly one in three pedestrian crashes at intersections involve a driver making a left turn, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in a 2020 report analyzing 2018 crash data from intersections in Washington, DC.
Depending on the traffic light at the time of the collision, the left turn may be an unprotected left turn or a protected left turn. An unprotected left turn is one where there is no green left-turn arrow in the present light cycle, but drivers can turn left so long as they yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and wait for a safe opening between cars to turn.
A protected left turn is one where there is a green arrow, meaning the driver turning left had the right of way.
In the case of there not being a traffic light–such as turning into a driveway, parking lot, side street, etc., the driver turning left must abide by traffic laws, meaning they must yield to oncoming traffic, must wait for all cyclists and pedestrians to cross, etc. Then, when it is safe to do so, they can turn.
Often, the driver turning left will be given blame at the scene of the accident, even if it is not clear they were truly at fault. This is especially common at busy DC intersections, where initial crash reports are prepared by the Metropolitan Police Department and traffic signal data comes from the District Department of Transportation. At locations such as Rhode Island Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, early accounts are often based on limited eyewitness statements from complex, high-traffic environments. This often happens because of right-of-way rules in Washington, DC, and the way liability is first assessed after a collision.
However, determining fault can be complicated. While there are ways to show that perhaps the left-turning driver did have the arrow and therefore had the right of way, in the case where there are no traffic lights, and it’s one driver’s word against another, this can be difficult to prove.
This is where having a car accident attorney can affect how fault is proven after a left turn crash. A car accident lawyer can help determine who was at fault in the car accident after a left turn by:
While most often, the driver turning left is blamed for a car accident, there are exceptions.
In some situations, the driver turning left is at fault for the collision. Commonly, drivers turning left when there is no traffic arrow signaling them to go may misjudge the space or have a limited view of oncoming traffic and collide with the oncoming vehicle.
In some cases, both drivers may share in the car accident liability involving a left turn. Cases like speeding, distracted driving, etc., may show that while one driver was the catalyst in the collision, both drivers were not in control of their vehicles.
Further, in cases where more than one vehicle is involved in a left-turn car accident, such as a multi-vehicle accident, there may be even more liable parties in the accident.
In these cases where two or more drivers share fault, each driver may be assigned a percentage of fault. In Washington, DC, contributory negligence rules can prevent an injured driver from recovering compensation if they are found even partly at fault. However, DC Code § 50-2204.52 creates an exception for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. In many cases, they can still recover compensation unless they were more at fault than the driver who hit them.
That’s why speaking with a car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long is important after a left-turn crash, especially when fault is disputed.
Left-turn crashes in Washington, DC often turn on details that are not obvious at the scene, like traffic signal timing, who entered the intersection first, and whether a driver had a protected left arrow.
Our lawyers focus on securing evidence that can disappear quickly after a crash, including:
In many left-turn cases, early investigation is what determines whether the truth can be proven. Once footage is deleted or signal data is lost, it becomes much harder to show what actually happened in the intersection.
If you are injured in a left-turn car accident as a result of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your property damage and resulting injuries.
A car accident attorney can help you seek compensation for:
Be mindful that the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Washington, DC is three years from the date of the accident under DC Code § 12-301. The time to act is now.
If a case cannot be resolved through insurance negotiations, it is filed in the DC Superior Court, where fault is determined based on physical evidence, traffic camera footage, and testimony rather than the initial crash report.
This is one of the most common disputes in left-turn crashes in Washington, DC. Even when both drivers say they had the right of way, the claim has to match the physical evidence.
Lawyers and investigators look at traffic signal timing records from DDOT, traffic camera footage at intersections like Dupont Circle or Georgia Avenue, and nearby video from businesses or Metro stations. Vehicle damage patterns and impact points can also help show which vehicle entered the intersection first.
A statement alone is not enough to prove a green arrow.
Right-of-way is usually determined by a combination of physical and digital evidence, not just driver statements. In DC left-turn crashes, key evidence often includes:
In many DC intersection cases, this evidence is what confirms whether a driver had the right of way or misjudged a gap in traffic.
Left turn crashes in Washington, DC often come down to split-second decisions, disputed right-of-way, and conflicting accounts of what happened. Fault is frequently unclear at the scene, especially at busy intersections where drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are all moving through at once.
These cases often involve evidence collected across multiple DC agencies, including DDOT camera systems and Metropolitan Police Department crash investigations at intersections like Wisconsin Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue.
Our Washington, DC car accident lawyers focus on building a clear picture of what actually happened. In left-turn cases, that often means:
We use this evidence to show how the crash occurred and who had the right of way.
Over the past three decades, Regan Zambri Long has recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for injury victims across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including multiple significant car accident results such as:
Our partners are recognized locally and nationally for their work in personal injury litigation. All six partners are listed among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and each is recognized by Best Lawyers in America across multiple practice areas. The firm’s attorneys also hold leadership roles in major trial lawyer organizations and maintain AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
If you were injured in a left-turn crash in Washington, DC, we can review what happened, explain your options, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. Contact Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the DC car accident attorneys of Regan Zambri Long at 202-978-4851 or by connecting with us online.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.