If a negligent driver recently caused you harm in an intersection accident, there is a good chance that they were making a left-hand turn.
Busy intersections can confuse drivers and are shared spaces where they can be hit by other cars. One of the most common mistakes a driver makes is the daring left-hand turn, in which they must cross one traffic lane and safely enter a second. Traffic engineers have recognized this risk and will install special traffic lights at intersections with frequent left-hand turns. However, these still don’t prevent all accidents.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Understanding Left-Turn Intersection Accidents in Missouri
Left-turn accidents are among the most common—and dangerous—types of intersection collisions. Even with traffic lights and signs in place, speeding, distraction, and poor judgment often turn a routine maneuver into a serious crash.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we represent drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians injured in left-turn accidents throughout St. Louis. Here’s what makes these crashes so dangerous, how fault is determined, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous
Turning left requires drivers to cross multiple lanes of oncoming traffic, often while managing limited visibility, unpredictable traffic flow, and split-second timing. Several factors increase the risk:
1. Sudden Stops
Drivers making a left turn may need to brake unexpectedly for pedestrians, vehicles, or oncoming traffic. These sudden stops can lead to rear-end collisions or loss of control, especially in busy intersections.
2. Blind Spots
Obstructed sightlines and large vehicles can create blind spots that hide oncoming cars, motorcycles, or cyclists. A driver who can’t see clearly may begin a turn at the wrong time and collide with unseen traffic.
3. Misjudging Speed
Drivers often miscalculate the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles when turning left. This misjudgment is a leading cause of left-turn crashes, particularly on wide, multi-lane roads.
4. Poor Vantage Point or Visibility
Oncoming traffic, large vehicles, or environmental factors like glare and rain can obscure a driver’s view, making it difficult to judge when it’s safe to turn.
5. Unfamiliar Intersections
Drivers navigating a new or complex intersection may be uncertain about traffic patterns or signals, leading to hesitation, confusion, or unsafe turns.
6. Traffic Lights and Timing
Left turns against traffic or during flashing signals require precise judgment. Drivers often misinterpret green lights or turn arrows, pulling out when oncoming traffic still has the right of way.
Common Causes of Left-Turn Collisions
Left-turn crashes frequently involve driver negligence, such as:
Distracted or inattentive driving
Driving under the influence
Speeding or aggressive driving
Drowsiness or fatigue
Failing to yield the right of way
Entering an intersection on a red light
Mechanical issues like brake or tire failure
In summer months—often called “left-turn accident season”—risks increase due to heavier traffic, more motorcycles and bicycles, and a rise in impaired or fatigued drivers.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn collisions often happen at high speeds and from the side, leading to severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Victims may suffer:
Severe injuries may require long-term rehabilitation and ongoing medical care. Our firm ensures projected medical costs and future care needs are fully included in your claim.
Determining Fault in a Left-Turn Accident
In most cases, the driver making the left turn is presumed at fault, as they must yield to oncoming traffic and ensure it’s safe to complete the turn. However, liability is not automatic—there are important exceptions. The other driver may share or bear full responsibility if they:
Ran a red light or stop sign
Were speeding or driving recklessly
Were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Were distracted (texting or using a phone)
Lacked a valid driver’s license
Violated other traffic laws
Missouri’s comparative fault system allows multiple parties to share liability. For example, if the turning driver misjudged timing but the oncoming driver was speeding, both may be assigned partial responsibility.
The “Left-Turn Accident Season” in Missouri
Warmer months bring more traffic, more two-wheeled vehicles, and more aggressive or impaired drivers. Motorcyclists and cyclists are especially vulnerable during summer, as they are smaller and harder to see across intersections. A split-second of inattention during a left turn can easily result in tragedy.
Get Legal Help After a Left-Turn Collision
If you’ve been injured in a left-turn accident in Missouri, don’t face the insurance company alone. The at-fault driver’s insurer will likely try to minimize your claim or blame you for part of the crash. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we:
Investigate every detail of your crash.
Work with accident reconstruction experts
Calculate the full value of your losses
Handle negotiations and litigation to secure fair compensation
Call 314-361-4242 today for a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney.
FAQ: Left Turn Accidents in St. Louis
In most cases, the driver making the left turn is presumed to be at fault. However, there are exceptions, such as when the oncoming driver runs a red light or is speeding. Each case is unique and requires careful investigation.
To win a left-turn accident case, you’ll need to prove the other driver was at fault or shared fault. This may involve gathering evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert testimony. An experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer can help build a strong case.
Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you’re partly at fault, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, you’ll receive 80% of the total damages.
No, while the turning driver is often at fault, there are situations where the other driver may be fully or partially responsible. Examples include speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence.
Key evidence can include police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, skid mark analysis, and vehicle damage. Your St. Louis car accident attorney will help gather and analyze all relevant evidence to support your case.
