Intersections with traffic lights handle left turns in one of two ways:

• A protected turn arrow that gives the turning driver the right-of-way
• An unprotected green light that requires the turning driver to yield to oncoming traffic first

Many left-turn motorcycle accidents happen when a driver turns during an unprotected phase without waiting for a safe gap, misjudging how quickly your motorcycle is approaching. Traffic signal timing and any available intersection camera footage often play a central role in establishing fault in these cases.

Intersections with stop signs follow different right-of-way rules depending on how many directions of traffic have a stop sign, and that distinction often determines fault in a left-turn accident:

• At a two-way stop, the driver without the stop sign always has the right of way, and the driver at the stop sign must wait until they can safely turn left before entering the intersection
• At a four-way stop, the driver who arrived at the intersection first has the right-of-way, and the other driver must wait to enter the intersection until the first driver has passed through safely

These cases frequently come down to conflicting accounts of who had the stop sign, who arrived first, or whether the injured victim had already entered the intersection before the other driver turned. Witness statements, vehicle damage patterns and the physical evidence at the scene play an important role in establishing fault when there’s no signal data or intersection camera footage to rely on.

Drivers turning left out of a driveway, parking lot or private roadway onto a public street must yield to traffic already on that street. These accidents often happen at lower speeds than intersection crashes, but they still produce serious injuries because riders frequently have little to no warning before a vehicle pulls directly into their path. Establishing fault in these cases typically focuses on whether the driver stopped and checked for oncoming traffic before entering the roadway.

A driver who is texting, talking on the phone or adjusting a navigation system while attempting a left turn may fail to notice an approaching motorcycle until the moment of impact. Distracted driving is a common cause of left-turn accidents. Because a left turn requires a driver’s full attention to judge oncoming traffic, fault is often attributed to the distracted driver. Cell phone records and any available dashcam or traffic camera footage can help establish that distracted driving caused the motorcycle accident.

A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol has significantly impaired judgment and reaction time, which makes misjudging a motorcycle’s speed and distance during a left turn far more likely. In addition to pursuing compensation from the driver’s insurance, these cases may be eligible to recover punitive damages depending on the specific circumstances of the crash.

Mr. Pushchak will meet with you to discuss the details of the crash, the nature and extent of your injuries and your goals for the case. He’ll also give you an opportunity to ask him any questions you may have about your claim. You’ll leave the consultation with a clear understanding of your legal rights and options, as well as what to expect from the rest of the process.

Left-turn motorcycle accident cases frequently hinge on evidence that can disappear quickly. Mr. Pushchak will move fast to preserve traffic signal timing data, intersection camera footage, witness statements and police reports before they become unavailable. In cases involving a disputed stop sign or right-of-way sequence, he may engage accident reconstruction experts to establish the timing and positioning of both vehicles at the moment of the turn.

The leg, spinal and head injuries common in left-turn motorcycle accidents often require input from medical specialists to accurately determine the value of your claim. Mr. Pushchak works with experts who can document the full extent of your injuries, project the long-term costs of your treatment and provide testimony that clearly establishes the true value of your damages.

Insurance companies handling left-turn motorcycle accident claims will go to great lengths to minimize the amount of money they must pay. They will often try to get you to accept a lowball settlement offer. In many instances, they’ll support their low valuation of your case by claiming you were partially at fault or by overlooking long-term medical treatments that may be required. Mr. Pushchak will refute these arguments using the evidence gathered during the investigation, ensuring your claim reflects the total value of your damages. He’ll fight aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf to secure a settlement offer that fully compensates you for your injuries.

An insurance company’s willingness to offer a fair settlement often depends on whether they believe you’re prepared to take the case to court. Mr. Pushchak prepares every left-turn motorcycle accident case as if it’s headed to trial, gathering the evidence and expert testimony needed to prove your damages in front of a jury if negotiations stall. If the insurance company’s offer fails to cover the total extent of your damages, he has the courtroom experience to argue for full compensation during a trial.
You won’t pay anything out of pocket to have Mr. Pushchak represent you. His fee comes directly out of whatever he recovers on your behalf, and you owe nothing if he doesn’t win your case.

Motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot than other vehicles, which makes riders particularly vulnerable to an accident when a driver turning left isn’t paying attention. The most common causes of left-turn motorcycle accidents in Denver and throughout Colorado include:

• Misjudging the speed or distance of an approaching motorcycle
• Failing to notice a motorcycle passing through the intersection
• Distracted driving, including cell phone and in-vehicle screen use
• Turning during a green light without waiting for a safe gap between oncoming traffic
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign before turning

Failure to account for wet or icy road conditions that extend the time needed to safely complete a left turn

In most left-turn motorcycle accidents, the driver who turned across your path without the right-of-way is the liable party. Colorado’s modified comparative negligence laws require that driver to be at least 51% responsible for the crash for you to recover compensation. However, depending on the circumstances of your accident, additional parties may also be at least partially responsible for your damages:

• The driver who turned left in front of you is the primary liable party in most left-turn motorcycle accident cases
• An employer may be liable if the driver who turned in front of you was operating a company vehicle or performing work duties at the time of the crash
• A government entity may be liable if a malfunctioning traffic signal, obstructed sightline or poorly designed intersection contributed to the crash

The injuries common in left-turn motorcycle accidents often carry significant long-term financial and personal costs. Colorado law entitles you to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the driver responsible for your crash.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the direct financial costs associated with your injuries. Depending on the specifics of your case, your economic damages may include:

• Emergency room visits, surgeries and hospital stays
• Ongoing medical treatment, including future procedures that may be required
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy sessions
• Therapy or counseling to address the psychological impact of the crash
• Income lost while you’re unable to work
• Reduced future earning potential if your injuries limit the work you can do going forward
• Modifications to your home or mobility equipment needed because of a permanent disability

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for the ways a left-turn motorcycle accident affects your daily life beyond your medical bills and lost income. Because these losses are subjective and can’t be concretely documented, you’ll need an experienced attorney who can demonstrate the true value of your non-economic damages to an insurance company or jury. Depending on your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety, depression or other emotional effects of the crash
• Visible scarring or lasting disfigurement
• Reduced ability to enjoy activities you valued before the crash, including riding
• Strain on your relationship with a spouse or family member

Permanent Impairment and Physical Disfigurement

Given the severity of injuries that arise from motorcycle collisions, it is often the case that clients will experience permanent functional injuries to their bodies. From broken bones and brain injuries to internal organ damage, you are entitled to compensation for any and all permanent injuries you experience. Additionally, you are entitled to damages for any permanent scarring or disfigurement to your body. This may be the result of compound fractures (bones protruding through skin), road rash, or surgical scars. Permanent impairment and disfigurement damages are often the most significant category of damages after a motorcycle collision.

Punitive Damages

Drivers who cause a left-turn accident while impaired by alcohol or drugs face a higher standard of legal accountability than ordinary negligence. Colorado law allows you to pursue punitive damages in these cases on top of your economic and non-economic damages, which increases the driver’s financial responsibility. Mr. Pushchak can review the specific facts of your case to determine whether the driver’s conduct meets the standard required to pursue this additional compensation.

Under Colorado law, you must file your motorcycle accident lawsuit within three years of the date of the crash. In the event of a fatal motorcycle accident, the family of the deceased has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Failing to meet these filing deadlines will potentially result in losing your right to pursue compensation.

Even though you have three years to file your case, waiting to contact an attorney after a left-turn motorcycle accident puts your case at a real disadvantage. Traffic signal timing data and intersection camera footage are often overwritten or deleted within days or weeks of the crash. Witnesses who could confirm your version of the events become harder to locate, and their memory of the accident often fades quickly. The sooner Mr. Pushchak can begin investigating your crash, the stronger the case he can build on your behalf.

In most left-turn motorcycle accidents, the driver who turned across your path without the right-of-way is at fault. Drivers turning left are required to yield to oncoming traffic, including motorcycles, before completing the turn. Even if the insurance company argues you were speeding or difficult to see, Colorado’s comparative negligence laws allow you to recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the crash.

This is one of the most common arguments made by drivers and their insurance companies after a left-turn motorcycle accident, but it isn’t a legal defense. Drivers turning left have a duty to look for and yield to all oncoming traffic, including motorcycles, before completing the turn. A claim that the driver didn’t see you doesn’t eliminate their responsibility for failing to yield.

Colorado doesn’t require riders over the age of 18 to wear a helmet. However, insurance companies may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your head injuries and try to use this to reduce your compensation under Colorado’s comparative negligence laws. Whether this argument succeeds depends on the specific injuries you suffered and the facts of your case.

Seek emergency medical treatment if you’re seriously injured. If you’re able to remain at the scene, call 911 to report the accident and request a police report, exchange information with the other driver, and photograph the vehicle positions, road conditions and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident happen, since their account of the events can be critical to your claim. Avoid discussing fault with the other driver or their insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

The timeline of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of medical treatment required, and whether your case settles or proceeds to trial. Cases involving disputed right-of-way often take longer to resolve because establishing exactly what happened requires a thorough investigation. Mr. Pushchak will give you a realistic assessment of your timeline during your free consultation.