How Left Turn Accidents Get Proven in Upstate South Carolina Courts
“I never saw you.” Drivers say those words after turning left across oncoming traffic, and they can leave an injured person feeling unheard. Left-turn crashes often come down to a simple question about who had the right of way, but proving the answer takes more than one driver’s word against another’s. The Greenville car accident lawyers at Snyder Heitman LLC build these cases carefully, and our team can help you understand what the evidence needs to show.
The Rule Left-Turning Drivers Must Follow
S.C. Code § 56-5-2320 requires a driver turning left within an intersection, or into an alley, private road, or driveway, to yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. Another provision, § 56-5-970(A)(1), says that even on a green light, turning vehicles must yield to vehicles lawfully within the intersection. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that about 27 percent of intersection-related crashes involve left turns, so this problem is common.
How We Build the Proof
- The scene. Skid marks, debris fields, and damage patterns show where vehicles met and at what angle.
- Businesses, traffic cameras, and dash cams may have captured the crash, but footage is often overwritten quickly.
- Vehicle data. Many vehicles record speed and braking in the seconds before impact.
- Signal information. Whether the turn was made on a green circle or an arrow can shape who had to yield.
- Neutral observers can confirm which vehicle entered the intersection first.
- Phone records. If a driver says they did not see you, a lawsuit lets us ask whether a phone was a distraction.
- Medical records. These connect the crash to your injuries and show what treatment you need.
Why the Crash Report Is Not the Whole Story
Many people assume the police report settles fault. In South Carolina, the crash reports required by §§ 56-5-1260 to 56-5-1280 may not be used as evidence of negligence at trial, although officers can refer to them to refresh their memory when they testify (§ 56-5-1290). That means the strength of your case rests on the underlying evidence, which is why we move quickly to gather it.
What the Other Side Tends to Argue
Left-turning drivers and their insurers often say the oncoming vehicle was speeding, appeared suddenly, or could have avoided the crash. Because South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence rule, any share of blame assigned to you reduces your recovery, and more than 50 percent can bar it. Civil cases are filed in the Court of Common Pleas, where jurors in places like Greenville and Spartanburg Counties weigh the evidence. Our job is to present a clear, organized story backed by proof.
Bring What You Have
You do not need a perfect file to start. When we meet, it helps to have:
- The crash report number or any paperwork from the scene
- Photos or videos of the vehicles, the intersection, and your injuries
- Medical records and bills
- Letters or messages from any insurance company
Call 864-335-3500 and tell us what happened. Our Greenville car accident attorneys serve Greenville, Spartanburg, and communities across Upstate South Carolina, and we will take the time to listen before we talk about next steps.
Source:
scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php https://highways.dot.gov/safety/learn-safety/noteworthy-practices/permissiveprotected-left-turn-phasing-detroit-and-grand