Can You Turn Left at a Red Light in Texas?
A common question we get from Texas drivers is, “Can you turn left on red at a stop light?” The answer to this question depends on the circumstances, but it is not usually allowed. Here’s an overview of Texas laws impacting turns on red lights.
If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a driver turning left at a red light, you could be entitled to compensation for your damages.
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(214) 855-1420Turning Left at a Red Light in Texas
While turning right on red is usually legal, there are only limited circumstances when it’s legal to turn left on red in Texas.
Texas drivers can legally turn right on a red light if:
- There is no sign prohibiting right turns on red;
- The driver comes to a complete stop; and
- The driver’s path is clear of pedestrians and ongoing traffic.
In contrast, there are only narrow circumstances when a driver can turn left at a red light. It’s legal to turn left at a red stoplight in Texas when:
- The driver is turning from a one-way street to a one-way street;
- The driver comes to a complete stop at the intersection;
- The driver yields to pedestrians and other traffic;
- There’s no sign prohibiting left turn on red.
Unless the driver meets all of the above requirements, it is illegal to turn left at a red light in Texas.
What Are the Consequences for Drivers Who Make an Illegal Left at a Stoplight?
An illegal left turn can be dangerous and often leads to accidents. Under Texas traffic laws, an illegal left turn is a Class-C misdemeanor. This can result in a penalty of up to $200.
In addition, if a driver’s illegal turn causes an accident, they’ll likely be held responsible for the damages to all accident victims. This includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
The consequences of illegal left turns can be substantial. Knowing and following all Texas traffic laws is important to avoid penalties and liability. If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a driver’s illegal left turn, contact a car accident lawyer to discuss your case.
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What Should You Do After a Car Accident Caused by an Illegal Left on Red?
Car accidents can be scary and traumatic, and it’s often hard to know what to do immediately after an accident. To help make the process go as smoothly as possible, here’s a checklist of things you should do after a Texas car crash:
- If anyone is injured, call 911 and seek medical treatment. Timely getting medical care for all injured parties should be your priority immediately after an accident.
- Report the accident to the police. It’s important to report your accident to the police, even if it’s a minor collision.
- Get information from all drivers involved. You should get the name, contact information, license number, and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and damage caused by the accident.
- Get the name and contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
From here, you should get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer to learn about your next best steps. Be careful about contacting any insurance companies prior to getting legal advice, as they do not have your best interests in mind.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Dallas, Texas, and need legal help, contact our Dallas car accident lawyers at Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Your lawyer will review your case and discuss your rights. Next, your legal team will investigate your case and gather evidence to support your claim. They’ll also calculate your current and future damages to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Handling Texas personal injury claims can be difficult, and insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. An experienced car accident lawyer will handle all the logistics and ensure that you get the compensation available under the law. Since most attorneys in this field of law offer free case reviews, you have nothing to lose by reaching out for a meeting.
Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers
2512 State St,
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-1420