A left-turn crash can seem like just about any other type of accident – until you learn that Louisiana law treats it differently from almost any other kind of car accident case. When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic and causes a wreck, the law does not start by asking who might be at fault. It starts by presuming that the turning driver caused the crash.
If you were hurt in a left-turn accident in Lafayette, that presumption can work in your favor from the very first conversation with an insurance adjuster. The car accident lawyer at The Thibeaux Firm has spent years helping injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians hold at-fault motorists accountable across Acadiana. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lafayette left-turn car accident lawyer who will fight for every dollar you deserve.
Why Lafayette Drivers Choose The Thibeaux Firm
Attorney Omar Thibeaux built his practice on a simple idea: injured people deserve a lawyer who is respectful, understanding, and genuinely invested in their recovery. Attorney Thibeaux and his team will listen carefully and empathetically to your story. He will then explain your legal options in plain language and stay in close contact throughout your personal injury case.
As a hardworking, incredibly knowledgeable, and determined advocate, he prepares every case as though it will go to trial, so insurance companies know he is serious from day one. Known across Louisiana as “The 25% Attorney,” Attorney Thibeaux charges a flat 25 percent fee on any compensation he recovers, well below what many firms charge accident victims. You will not pay any attorney fees unless he wins your case.
Here’s why recent client Brooke H. recommends our services:
“I had gotten in an accident. I was at the red light on Louisiana Avenue turning, and there was a truck that had sideswiped me while I was turning into the turning lane. I hired The Thibeaux Firm because I needed a lawyer and it’s a Black business, so why not support Black law firms? The settlement amount of my case was $40,000. I was beyond happy with my settlement. I would definitely recommend The Thibeaux Firm to everyone who gets in an accident, or anyone who needs a lawyer in general. The Thibeaux Firm is your firm to go to.”
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a Lafayette car accident lawyer
Why Louisiana Law Favors You After a Left-Turn Crash
Louisiana Revised Statute 32:122 places a heightened duty on drivers who turn left at an intersection. The law requires a left-turning driver to yield to all oncoming vehicles that are already in the intersection or close enough to pose an immediate hazard. Because of this rule, Louisiana courts generally presume that a left-turning driver caused the car crash if the collision happens over the center line. That presumption shifts the initial burden to the other driver’s insurance company, not to you.
This matters because intersections are dangerous. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roughly one-quarter of all traffic fatalities and about half of all traffic injuries in the United States happen in intersection accidents. If you are wondering who is at fault in a left-turn accident, Louisiana’s left-turn law gives you a real head start, but insurers still fight hard to avoid paying the fair compensation that you deserve.
When the Left-Turning Driver Is Not at Fault
The presumption against left-turning drivers is strong, but it isn’t automatic. A driver who ran a red light or made an illegal turn from the wrong lane can still bear responsibility for the crash, even if the other driver was turning left.
Louisiana also uses a modified comparative fault system. If you share some responsibility for a crash that happened on or after January 1, 2026, your percentage of fault reduces your compensation, as long as that percentage stays below 51 percent. If a court finds you 51 percent or more at fault, state law bars you from recovering compensation entirely. An experienced car wreck attorney can examine the full picture before insurers attempt to write the story for you.
How Failure to Yield While Turning Left Gets Proven
Every car accident claim involving failure to yield while turning left depends on evidence that shows what actually happened at the intersection.
Evidence That Establishes the Turn
Left-turn crashes often come down to conflicting accounts, so the proof you gather early can make or break your claim.
- Police report – This document records the responding officer’s observations, citations, and contact information for any witnesses at the accident scene.
- Traffic camera or dash camera footage – Video evidence can show exactly when and how each driver entered the intersection.
- Vehicle damage patterns – The location and severity of damage often reveal which car was turning and which car had the right of way.
- Witness statements – People who saw the crash can describe what each driver did in the moments before impact, even if a driver later disputes the facts.
Why the First 30 Days Matter
Skid marks can quickly fade, and surveillance systems may soon overwrite footage. Moreover, witnesses forget details as weeks pass. Attorney Thibeaux will move quickly to preserve evidence, request traffic camera footage before it disappears, and document your injuries while the details are still fresh.
Left-Turn Crash Injuries and What They Cost in Lafayette
Left-turn crashes often cause severe injuries because the oncoming vehicle typically strikes the turning car broadside. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
These crashes can also cost victims medical expenses, lost wages, and physical pain and suffering that follows them for months or years. The Thibeaux Firm has helped car accident victims recover meaningful compensation after serious wrecks. including a $30,000 settlement in an auto accident case and a $40,000 settlement in a commercial truck accident case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but they show what determined legal representation can accomplish. Attorney Thibeaux can also work with medical and economic experts who can fully assess how your injuries affect your future, not just your next bill.
How Long You Have to File a Left-Turn Accident Claim in Louisiana
Louisiana gives personal injury victims two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1. This deadline changed in 2024, when lawmakers extended the previous one-year window, but a two-year window still passes faster than most people expect. Missing this deadline can end your right to recover compensation.
Talk to a Lafayette Left-Turn Car Accident Lawyer Today
If another driver failed to yield while turning left and caused your crash, you should not have to fight the insurance company alone. As a trusted Lafayette car accident attorney, Attorney Thibeaux and his team can conduct a thorough investigation into your crash, handle every conversation with insurers, and pursue full compensation on your behalf. Because of the Louisiana left-turn law, you may already have an advantage that most accident victims never get. Contact The Thibeaux Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let a caring, dedicated legal team fight for the outcome you deserve.