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Left turns are one of the most common causes of crashes at Las Vegas intersections. They often lead to serious side-impact collisions.
In most cases, the left-turning driver is at fault because they must yield to oncoming traffic. But fault can be shared if the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, or was otherwise negligent.
Because fault affects compensation, it often helps to speak with a car accident attorney serving Las Vegas before dealing with the insurance company.
This guide explains how a left-turn fault is determined under Nevada law and when responsibility may be shared.
Nevada law puts the burden on the driver turning left. Under NRS 484B.253, a driver intending to turn left must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is close enough to be an immediate hazard.
In plain terms, if you are turning left and an oncoming car is close enough that turning would create a real risk, you have to wait. That duty applies whether you have a green light, a flashing yellow arrow, or a permissive green where left turns are allowed but not protected. A green light is permission to enter the intersection, not a guarantee that the path is clear.
This is why insurance companies so often assume the turning driver caused the crash. The law gives them an easy presumption to lean on. It does not, however, make that presumption automatic or unbeatable.
Fault is rarely all-or-nothing. The turning driver’s duty to yield does not erase the oncoming driver’s own duty to drive safely and obey traffic laws. Several situations can shift part, or even most, of the blame to the car coming straight through the intersection.
Because fault can be split, the evidence in your case matters enormously. A clear record of the other driver’s speed or a red-light violation can change the entire outcome.
If you are sorting out who was responsible, our overview of how fault is determined by the location of vehicle damage explains how crash reconstruction often works.
Nevada follows modified comparative negligence under NRS 41.141. You can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. Your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame, and if you are found 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Here is how that plays out in a left-turn case. Say your damages total $100,000, and the insurance company argues you were the turning driver and therefore responsible. If the evidence shows the oncoming driver was speeding and ran a yellow, a jury might assign them 70 percent of the fault and you 30 percent. You would still recover, but your award would be reduced by 30 percent, leaving $70,000.
This is exactly why fault percentages are so heavily contested. Every point of blame the insurer can push onto you lowers what they have to pay. An adjuster who insists the turning driver is “automatically” at fault is often skipping the part where the other driver’s conduct shifts the numbers.
Memory and testimony alone rarely settle a disputed left-turn crash. Solid, objective evidence is what moves fault percentages, and the most useful proof tends to disappear fast.
Helpful sources of evidence include:
One common misconception in Las Vegas is that the state’s traffic cameras record crashes. They generally do not. Most highway and intersection cameras run by the Nevada Department of Transportation provide live monitoring feeds and do not archive footage for later use.
That makes private security video and dashcam recordings even more valuable, and it makes acting quickly important, since businesses often overwrite their footage within days.
The steps you take in the hours and days after a collision can protect both your health and your claim.
If you are able to do so safely:
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Insurance claims usually start much sooner, and they are often disputed when fault is unclear. Every case is different, so confirm your specific deadline with a lawyer rather than assuming.
If another driver’s fault is established, the compensation available in a left-turn case may include:
Insurance adjusters frequently lead with the argument that the left-turning driver is automatically responsible. Strong evidence and steady legal pressure are usually what it takes to challenge that assumption and pursue a fair result.
No. The left-turning driver is usually presumed at fault because NRS 484B.253 requires them to yield, but that presumption can be overcome. If the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, or ran a red light, fault can shift or be shared.
Yes. Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, fault can be split between drivers. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can still recover as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible.
Yes, in a narrow situation. Nevada allows a left turn on red when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop, unless a posted sign prohibits it. You must still yield to traffic and pedestrians.
Generally no. Most NDOT traffic cameras provide live monitoring feeds and do not record or store footage for later use in a claim. Dashcam video and private security cameras are usually more useful sources of evidence.
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. Insurance claims should begin much sooner, and deadlines can vary, so it is best to confirm yours with an attorney early.
If you were hurt in a left-turn crash, do not let an insurer decide your case for you. The team at Gina Corena & Associates handles complex fault disputes across Nevada and can help you gather the evidence that shows what really happened.
Call (702) 680-1111 any time, day or night, for a free consultation in English or Spanish. You pay no fee unless we win. You can also reach out through our contact page to get started.
Reviewed by Gina M. Corena, founding attorney at Gina Corena & Associates.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
