Who Is at Fault in a Maine Left Turn Accident?

Left turn accidents are among the most common types of collisions on Maine roads, and they almost always raise one critical question: who is at fault? The answer matters because fault determines who pays for vehicle damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. If you were injured in a left turn crash in Maine, understanding how fault works under state law can directly affect whether you recover compensation and how much.

Who is usually at fault in a left turn accident?

In the majority of left turn accidents, the driver making the left turn is found at fault. This is because Maine traffic law requires left-turning drivers to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is close enough to pose an immediate hazard. Under Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, §2053, a driver turning left must wait until the turn can be made with reasonable safety.

That said, fault is not automatic. There are situations where the other driver may share blame or even be primarily responsible. For example:

The oncoming driver was speeding well over the posted limit.
The oncoming driver ran a red light or stop sign.
The oncoming driver was distracted or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Both vehicles had a green light, but the oncoming driver entered the intersection unsafely.

Each crash has its own facts, and Maine courts look at the full picture before assigning responsibility.

What Maine laws govern left turn right-of-way?

Maine's right-of-way rules for left turns are found in Title 29-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. The key points are straightforward:

A driver may not turn left unless the turn can be completed safely.
The left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be dangerous.
At intersections with traffic signals, a left-turning driver with a green arrow has the right-of-way. A driver turning left on a solid green light must still yield.
Drivers must use turn signals at least 100 feet before turning.

These rules give the general framework, but real-world intersections across Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and rural Maine create all kinds of variables poor sight lines, confusing lane markings, and sudden weather changes.

What if the other driver was partly to blame?

Maine follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, you can still recover damages if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. However, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault.

Here is a practical example: You are making a left turn and an oncoming driver hits you while going 20 mph over the speed limit. A jury decides you were 30 percent at fault for not waiting long enough, and the speeding driver was 70 percent at fault. If your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $70,000.

If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover anything under Maine law. This is why the evidence you gather and how it is presented matters so much.

What evidence helps prove who caused a left turn crash?

Proving fault comes down to evidence. The stronger your evidence, the better your position in negotiations with insurance companies or in court. Useful evidence in left turn accident cases includes:

Police report: Officers who respond to the scene document their observations, issue citations, and sometimes note who they believe caused the crash.
Traffic camera or dashcam footage: Video can clearly show the speed, position, and actions of both vehicles.
Witness statements: Independent witnesses people who do not know either driver carry significant weight.
Accident reconstruction: In serious injury cases, experts can analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions to determine what happened.
Cell phone records: If distraction is suspected, phone records can show whether the other driver was texting or calling at the time.
Medical records: These document the extent of your injuries and connect them to the crash.

A lawyer experienced with left turn collision cases in Maine can help collect and preserve this evidence before it disappears.

What are common mistakes people make after a left turn accident?

Several errors can weaken an otherwise strong claim:

Admitting fault at the scene. Saying "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see them" can be used against you later, even if you were just being polite.
Not calling the police. A police report creates an official record. Without one, the other driver might later tell a different version of events.
Failing to take photos. Vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions all change quickly. Photograph everything at the scene.
Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that reduce your claim. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer.
Waiting too long to seek medical attention. Gaps in medical treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries are not serious or were caused by something else.
Accepting a quick settlement. Early offers from insurance companies are almost always far below what your case is worth.

How does an insurance company decide fault in a left turn accident?

Insurance adjusters review the police report, photographs, witness statements, and applicable traffic laws. They often use a concept called "indemnity" to allocate fault between drivers.

In Maine, the insurer for the at-fault driver is responsible for paying damages. If the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, your own policy's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Keep in mind that insurance companies are businesses their goal is to pay as little as possible. They may try to assign you a higher percentage of fault than the facts support.

This is where having a Maine left turn accident attorney near Portland or elsewhere in the state can make a real difference. An attorney who handles these cases regularly understands the tactics insurers use and how to push back.

Can I file an injury claim if I was the one turning left?

Yes. Being the left-turning driver does not automatically mean you lose your right to compensation. If the oncoming driver was speeding, distracted, running a red light, or otherwise breaking the law, you may have a valid claim. Maine's comparative negligence system allows injured drivers to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault.

Filing a claim involves documenting your injuries, proving the other driver's negligence, and following Maine's process for filing a left turn accident injury claim. Maine's statute of limitations for personal injury is six years from the date of the accident, but waiting that long is rarely wise. Evidence degrades, witnesses forget details, and your medical timeline becomes harder to connect to the crash.

What if the accident happened at an intersection with poor visibility or bad road design?

Sometimes the fault extends beyond the two drivers. If a stop sign was missing, a traffic light was malfunctioning, overgrown vegetation blocked a sight line, or road design contributed to the crash, a government agency or property owner might share liability. These cases involve different rules, including shorter notice deadlines for filing claims against government entities in Maine sometimes as short as 180 days.

An experienced attorney can investigate whether a third party contributed to the accident and advise you on the specific deadlines that apply.

What should I do right now if I was hurt in a left turn collision?

If you have already gotten medical attention and filed a police report, the next steps are:

Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without legal advice.
Keep all medical records and bills related to your injuries.
Document your symptoms, pain levels, and missed work days in a daily journal.
Do not post about the accident on social media. Insurers monitor accounts for anything they can use against you.
Consult with a Maine car accident lawyer who handles left turn cases. Most offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by asking questions.

You can learn more about how fault is determined in Maine left turn accidents and what options may be available to you.

Quick checklist after a left turn accident in Maine

☐ Get medical treatment immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
☐ Call the police and get a copy of the accident report.
☐ Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, traffic signals, and road conditions.
☐ Collect contact information from witnesses.
☐ Do not admit fault or apologize to anyone at the scene.
☐ Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
☐ Keep all receipts, bills, and records related to the accident.
☐ Avoid posting about the crash on social media.
☐ Speak with a Maine personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer.
☐ Note the statute of limitations: six years for injury claims, but act much sooner.

For a broader look at how Maine traffic laws apply to your situation, the Maine Legislature's text of Title 29-A, §53 on turning movements is a useful reference.