How Nevada Decides Left-Turn Accident Fault in Las Vegas

Usually, the driver making the left turn is responsible. However, the other driver may share fault if they were speeding, ran a red light, or contributed to the crash.

If you were injured in a left-turn accident, determining who caused the collision is important because it can affect your ability to recover compensation. A Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights if the insurance company disputes fault.

Here’s what Nevada law says about left turns, when responsibility may be shared, and what evidence can help support your claim.

The Left-Turning Driver’s Duty to Yield Under NRS 484B.253

In Nevada, NRS 484B.253 requires drivers turning left to yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard.

Simply put, you must wait until there is enough space to complete your turn safely. The law also states that once a driver has properly yielded and signaled their intention to turn left, approaching drivers must yield to that vehicle while it completes the turn.

Does a Green Light Give You the Right of Way?

The type of traffic signal determines when you can make a left turn:

• Solid green light: You can turn when permitted, but must yield to approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
• Flashing yellow arrow: You may turn after yielding to approaching traffic and pedestrians.
• Protected green arrow: You can proceed in the arrow’s direction, while remaining alert to pedestrians and other hazards.

A green signal does not excuse a driver from following applicable right-of-way rules.

When the Oncoming Driver Can Share the Fault

The driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic, but that doesn’t mean the other driver is always free of blame. The driver going straight must also follow traffic laws and drive safely. Depending on what happened, they may share the blame or be mostly responsible for the crash.

Here are some situations where the oncoming driver may be at fault:

• Speeding: If the oncoming driver was driving well over the speed limit, they may have reached the intersection much faster than the turning driver expected. Their speed may have contributed to the crash.
• Running a red light: If the oncoming driver entered the intersection after the light turned red, they may be mostly or entirely at fault, depending on the circumstances.
• Distracted or impaired driving: A driver who was texting, under the influence, or not paying attention may share the blame if their actions helped cause the crash.
• Mistakes in double-left-turn lanes: Some intersections have two lanes for drivers turning left. If a driver leaves their lane and hits another vehicle, they may be responsible for the collision.

Our guide on how vehicle damage location determines fault explains how damage to each vehicle can help show what happened.

Nevada’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Under NRS 41.141, Nevada allows you to recover compensation if you are not more than 50% at fault for the crash, as long as the other legal requirements are met. Your compensation is reduced based on your share of the blame.

For example, say your damages total $100,000, and you are found 30% at fault. Your compensation would be reduced by 30,000,leaving you with 70,000.

But if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other driver. This is why determining each driver’s share of the blame matters when an insurance company reviews your claim.

What Evidence Helps Determine Fault?

When drivers give different accounts of a crash, evidence can help show what really happened.

Investigators may look at:

• Police reports and traffic tickets: These may include crash details and any traffic violations.
• Witness statements: People who saw the crash may help explain how it happened.
• Dashcam footage: A recording may show how the vehicles moved and whether a traffic light was red or green.
• Vehicle data: Information from a vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR) may show its speed or braking before the crash.
• Security footage: Cameras at nearby businesses may have captured the collision.

Our guide to using dashcam footage as evidence in Nevada explains how recordings can help support an accident claim.

Keep in mind that many Nevada Department of Transportation traffic cameras show live traffic but do not save recordings. Private security footage may also be deleted or overwritten, so ask for a copy as soon as possible.

What to Do After a Left-Turn Crash in Las Vegas

What you do after a crash can help protect your health and preserve important evidence.

Here are the steps to take:

1. Get medical care. See a doctor after the crash, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may appear later. Read more about delayed injuries after a car accident.
2. Take photos of the scene. Capture vehicle damage, where the cars stopped, traffic signals, skid marks, and road conditions.
3. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s contact and insurance details. If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their contact information too.
4. Report the crash if required. Nevada generally requires an SR-1 report within 10 days if the crash caused an injury, a death, or more than $750 in damage and law enforcement did not investigate at the scene.
5. Review settlement offers carefully. Before accepting an offer from an insurance company, consider your injuries, treatment needs, and the evidence available to support your claim.

What Can You Recover After a Left-Turn Crash in Nevada?

If you were injured in a left-turn crash in Nevada, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, though exceptions may apply.

You may be able to recover the cost of medical care and future treatment, wages lost while recovering, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, vehicle repairs or replacement, and other accident-related expenses.

The amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the evidence supporting your claim, available insurance coverage, and how fault is divided between the drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the left-turning driver always at fault in Nevada?

No. The left-turning driver must generally yield to oncoming traffic, but fault depends on how the crash happened.

Who is at fault in a failure-to-yield accident in Las Vegas?

The driver who failed to yield may be at fault if that failure caused the crash. Evidence helps determine who had the right of way.

Is it legal to turn left on a red light in Las Vegas?

Yes, from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop, unless a sign or signal prohibits it. You must yield to traffic and pedestrians.

Do Las Vegas traffic cameras record left-turn accidents?

Not all cameras save recordings. Many NDOT cameras show only live traffic. Dashcams and private security cameras may have footage of the crash.

Talk With a Las Vegas Left-Turn Accident Lawyer

A left-turn crash can leave you dealing with injuries, repair bills, and questions about who was responsible. If the other driver or their insurance company disputes your claim, Gina Corena & Associates can help you understand your legal options.

Call (702) 359-7155 for a free consultation in English or Spanish, or visit our contact page to get in touch. Attorney fees and case costs are explained in your fee agreement.

Reviewed by Gina M. Corena, founding attorney at Gina Corena & Associates.