Who Is At Fault If a Car Turns Left in Front of Your Motorcycle?

One of the most dangerous situations for motorcyclists is when a car turns left in front of them. You have minimal time to react when this happens, and sometimes a collision is unavoidable. Understanding left turn motorcycle accident fault is crucial for protecting your rights.

Drivers often claim that they “did not see the motorcycle” or try to argue that the rider was speeding. A Denver motorcycle accident lawyer can help to counter these arguments and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Burg Simpson can help protect your rights if you have been injured riding your motorcycle in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado. Call 303-792-5595 today for immediate assistance.

What Causes Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle wrecks have many potential causes. One of the most common is a driver failing to see an oncoming motorcycle before turning left. These are known as “traffic scanning errors,” meaning the driver failed to register the presence of a motorcycle when checking traffic prior to the turn.

Research by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that traffic scanning errors by the driver of the other vehicle contribute to 70% of motorcycle accidents involving multiple vehicles.

The small visual profile of a motorcycle may make it difficult for other drivers to see it, but this is not the only reason left-turn collisions occur. Other potential causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Misjudging the motorcycle’s distance or speed
• Improper scanning of an intersection due to rushed or aggressive driving
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Failure to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle
• Drowsy driving
• Ignoring traffic lights or turn arrows
• Obstructed visibility due to traffic, parked vehicles, trees, weather conditions, etc.

Drivers have a legal duty to keep a proper lookout and make sure it is safe before turning left across traffic. When a driver fails to see an approaching motorcycle due to distraction, impairment, or carelessness, they may be held liable for the rider’s injuries and damages.

Motorcycle Accidents a Growing Concern in Colorado

From January to March 2026, 15 motorcyclists died in Colorado. This is the deadliest start to a year for our state’s riders in nearly a decade. Since 2020, Colorado has seen a total of 874 fatalities in motorcycle accidents. 2024 was the deadliest year for motorcyclists in Colorado history, with 165 people killed.

In addition to encouraging motorcyclists to wear a helmet and obey all traffic laws, CDOT provides the following guidance to the drivers of cars and trucks: “Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.”

This demonstrates how common it is for drivers to turn left in front of motorcycles. Even at low speeds, this kind of collision can seriously harm a motorcycle rider.

Why Left-Turn Accidents Are So Dangerous for Motorcyclists

A side-impact crash can be uniquely devastating for a motorcyclist. Motorcycles have no interior to keep the rider contained in the event of an accident. The force of a collision can propel the rider over the handlebars into the other vehicle or onto the street, both of which can lead to catastrophic injuries.

Injuries a motorcyclist may sustain in a left-turn crash with another vehicle include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, even if they are wearing a helmet
• Skull fractures and other broken bones
• Damage to internal organs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Extreme abrasions to the skin (road rash)

Motorcyclists may also swerve in an effort to avoid striking the turning vehicle. This can cause the rider to lose control and crash their bike, resulting in road rash and other trauma.

Drivers often fail to realize how vulnerable motorcyclists are. This can lead to careless behaviors like turning left when the motorcycle is going straight. A collision can have serious or even fatal consequences for the rider, while the occupants of the vehicle may be unscathed.

Can Colorado Motorcyclists Sue Drivers Who Turn Left in Front of Them?

Yes. If a driver turns left in front of your motorcycle, causing you to crash, you may be able to make a legal claim for compensation. Colorado’s right of way law (C.R.S. § 42-4-702) clearly states that drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic before making the turn.

Violating the right of way law is a class A traffic infraction. If it results in an accident with a motorcycle or other vehicle, the driver may also face civil liability for losses suffered by the victim(s).

Most motorcycle accident claims are based on negligence, meaning you need to show the driver failed to take reasonable care under the circumstances. A violation of the right of way law may constitute negligence per se, allowing the court to consider evidence of the violation as proof that the driver acted negligently.

Even when left turn motorcycle accident fault seems clear, it can be difficult to get the compensation you deserve. Learn how Burg Simpson can help.

How Long Do I Have to Sue?

You have a limited time to file a lawsuit after being injured in a motorcycle accident. This is known as the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Colorado is generally 3 years. If a member of your family tragically died in a motorcycle crash, you have 2 years to make a wrongful death claim.

Do not wait to speak to an attorney if you were injured or lost a loved one. Experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help you take legal action within the time limit. Wait too long, and you may forfeit the right to seek compensation for your losses.

Common Defenses in Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident Claims

Insurance companies often treat injured motorcyclists unfairly. Even when left turn motorcycle accident fault may seem straightforward (the driver turning left in front of the rider), they frequently try to pass blame in an effort to avoid large payouts.

Some of the most common defense tactics include:

• Claiming you were speeding: Drivers often misjudge the speed at which a motorcycle is traveling. The insurance company may seize upon this to argue that you exceeded the speed limit, and this contributed to the crash.
• Arguing that you could have avoided the accident: Riders may only have a couple of seconds to identify and avoid hazards, such as a driver turning left in front of them. Nonetheless, insurance companies will often try to erroneously argue that the superior maneuverability of a motorcycle means you could have swerved at the last moment.
• Citing lack of helmet use: In Colorado, helmets are not required for riders 18 and older. This does not stop insurers from trying to argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to the severity of the rider’s injuries, even if the accident was the driver’s fault.

Insurance companies will look for any evidence to suggest that you were partly at fault, as this gives them grounds to offer less compensation. They may try to argue that your share of responsibility is higher than 49% — the threshold for comparative negligence under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you would not be able to recover any compensation.

An experienced Colorado motorcycle accident law firm knows the tactics insurers use to reduce or deny payouts. They can fight back against efforts to blame you for the crash, collecting strong evidence and consulting expert witnesses to deal with the insurance company effectively.

What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Fault for a Left-Turn Accident?

Multiple types of evidence can help prove that the driver was at fault for the crash, as well as establish your right to compensation. This may include:

• Photos of the accident scene, including the position of your motorcycle and the other vehicle as well as visible evidence such as skid marks and debris in the roadway
• Testimony from eyewitnesses who saw your approach to the intersection and/or the driver turn left in front of you
• Video from traffic cameras, surveillance cameras on nearby properties, etc.; footage from the driver’s dashcam or a helmet-mounted GoPro can be particularly valuable
• The crash report, which contains details about how the accident occurred, the parties involved, and (potentially) citations issued to the driver
• Accident reconstruction; using photos, video, and witness statements, experts in accident reconstruction can create a sophisticated model of the crash that demonstrates the negligence of the left-turning driver
• Medical records showing the injuries you have suffered; comprehensive medical documentation is vital for showing the trauma you sustained and the damages you are due

You may be unable to gather evidence at the scene if you are seriously injured. Your first priority should be getting medical care; a skilled Denver motorcycle accident attorney can take action immediately to collect evidence on your behalf and begin preparing your case.

Injured in a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Denver? Contact Burg Simpson Today

Even the most cautious motorcyclist is not safe when drivers fail to see them. At intersections and other areas on Colorado roads, one of the most common errors that can lead to a crash is a driver turning left in front of a motorcycle.

For 50 years and counting, Burg Simpson has been advocating for injured motorcyclists and their families. Our extensive experience with accident claims and knowledge of how insurance companies operate enable us to fight for maximum compensation. We prepare cases with the expectation that they will go to trial, ensuring we are ready to fight if the insurer will not play fair.

Call 303-792-5595 today for a FREE case evaluation. Our motorcycle accident lawyers serve the victims of left-turn collisions in Denver and throughout Colorado.