A Driver Turned Left in Front of My Motorcycle: Who Is at Fault?

Vehicle Code section 21801 requires a driver turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles, including motorcycles, that are close enough to be a hazard. A rider can still share fault, for example by speeding. California’s pure comparative fault rule comes from Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents injured riders, and its phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

Table of Contents

What the left-turn rule requires

The driver must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard at any time during the turn and keep yielding until the turn can be made with reasonable safety. When a car turns into the path of a motorcycle that was close enough to be a hazard, the driver has generally failed to yield.

When the rider can share fault

California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975). A rider who was partly at fault can still recover, but the recovery is reduced by the rider’s share of fault. Examples of conduct that can put some of the fault on the rider include:

Speeding
Running a red light at the intersection
Riding at night without a working headlight

Rider’s share of fault	Total damages	Rider recovers
0%	$200,000	$200,000
20%	$200,000	$160,000
50%	$200,000	$100,000

The figures are an illustration of the math only, not a prediction of any case.

Lane splitting and helmets in California

Vehicle Code section 21658.1 defines lane splitting and allows the California Highway Patrol to develop educational guidelines. Under California’s pure comparative fault rule (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), how fast and how safely the rider was moving can be considered when fault is decided.

California requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet (Vehicle Code section 27803).

Evidence that shows what happened

Useful evidence after a left-turn crash includes:

Photos of the intersection, sight lines and where the vehicles came to rest
Helmet camera, dashcam, business or traffic camera video
Witness names and statements
The collision report from the California Highway Patrol or city police
Photos of the damage to both vehicles

Motorcycle crash case results

Results the firm has obtained in motorcycle crash cases, as shown on its case results page, include:

$10,000,000 in a motorcycle-versus-car crash
$6,015,000 in a motorcycle-versus-car crash
$6,000,000 in a motorcycle-versus-car crash
$5,000,000 in a motorcycle-versus-car crash
$4,450,000 in a rental car-versus-motorcycle crash

Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Serving riders injured in Napa Valley

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp serves riders injured in Napa County, including Napa Valley. The firm does not have an office in Napa County. Its main office is in Lower Lake at 9667 Highway 29. Its other offices are in Santa Rosa at 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200, and in San Francisco at 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D.

Lawsuits from Napa County crashes are generally filed in Napa County Superior Court.

How long do you have to file?

Most motorcycle injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). Claims for damage to the motorcycle and gear have three years (Code of Civil Procedure section 338). If a city, county or Caltrans vehicle or road was involved, a written claim is generally due within six months (Government Code section 911.2).

Frequently asked questions

Is the driver always at fault when turning left in front of a motorcycle?

The driver is not always fully at fault. Vehicle Code section 21801 requires a driver turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard. The rider can still share fault, for example by speeding or running a red light. California follows pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975).

Can I recover if I was speeding when the car turned in front of me?

You may still be able to recover. California uses pure comparative fault, so your recovery is reduced by your share of fault rather than barred. How much the speed mattered is a question of evidence.

Does California require motorcycle helmets?

California requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet. The rule is in Vehicle Code section 27803.

How does California law treat lane splitting?

Vehicle Code section 21658.1 defines lane splitting and allows the California Highway Patrol to develop educational guidelines. Under California’s pure comparative fault rule (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), how safely the rider was moving can be considered when fault is decided.

Does the Law Offices of J. Chrisp help riders hurt in Napa Valley?

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp serves riders injured in Napa County, including Napa Valley. Consultations are free, there is no fee unless we win, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

If you were hurt when a driver turned left in front of your motorcycle, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.