Left-turn accidents are among the most common causes of car accidents in Arkansas and one of the most disputed types of intersection crashes in the state.
If you were hit by a driver making a left turn, or if you were the one turning left when a collision occurred, the outcome of your case likely depends on two Arkansas statutes that govern right-of-way at intersections: Ark. Code 27-51-502 and Ark. Code 27-51-503.
These laws determine who had the legal obligation to yield, how fault is assigned, and what kind of compensation you may be able to recover.
This article explains how both statutes work, the real-world consequences of violating them, and the steps you should take to protect your rights after an intersection accident in Arkansas.
How Arkansas Right-of-Way Laws Determine Fault in Intersection Accidents
Arkansas has two key statutes that control right-of-way at intersections, and understanding the difference between them matters because the wrong statute cited in a police report or insurance claim can change the entire direction of your case.
Ark. Code 27-51-502: The Left-Turn Rule
Arkansas Code Section 27-51-502 is the statute that directly governs left-turn accidents at intersections.
Under this law, a driver inside an intersection who intends to turn left must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are within the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard.
Only after yielding and signaling as required by law may the turning driver proceed, and only once all approaching vehicles that pose an immediate hazard have cleared the intersection.
This statute applies any time a driver makes a left turn at an intersection, whether the intersection is controlled by a traffic signal, a stop sign, a yield sign, or no sign at all.
In practice, this means the left-turning driver carries the legal burden in almost every left-turn collision.
If you were turning left on a green light without an arrow and were struck by an oncoming vehicle, Section 27-51-502 is the statute that determines your legal duty and potential liability.
Insurance companies treat this as one of the clearest fault rules in Arkansas traffic law, and courts have consistently held left-turning drivers responsible when they fail to yield to oncoming traffic that was close enough to create a hazard.
Ark. Code 27-51-503: Stop and Yield Intersection Rules
Arkansas Code Section 27-51-503 covers a different but related situation.
This statute establishes the rules for drivers approaching intersections that are controlled by stop signs or yield signs.
Under this law, a driver approaching a stop sign must come to a complete stop and then yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has already entered the intersection from another road, or any vehicle that is approaching so closely that it creates an immediate hazard.
For yield signs, the law requires a driver to slow down to a speed that is reasonable for the conditions, stop if necessary, and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection or approaching closely enough to pose an immediate danger.
Section 27-51-503 also contains a powerful legal provision: if a collision occurs after a driver passes a yield sign without stopping, the crash itself is treated as prima facie evidence that the driver failed to yield the right-of-way.
That legal term, “prima facie,” means the violation is presumed to have occurred unless the driver can present evidence proving otherwise.
When Both Statutes Apply at the Same Time
In many real-world accidents, both statutes can be relevant.
For example, if a driver approaches a stop sign at an intersection and then makes a left turn into oncoming traffic, both Section 27-51-502 (the left-turn yield rule) and Section 27-51-503 (the stop sign yield rule) could apply to the fault analysis.
The combined effect of violating both statutes makes it extremely difficult for the at-fault driver to argue their way out of liability.
Insurance adjusters and courts in Arkansas treat these right-of-way rules as clear-cut obligations, not gray areas open to interpretation.
What Prima Facie Evidence Means for Your Claim
When a police report or the facts of the accident point to a violation of either Section 27-51-502 or Section 27-51-503, the burden shifts in an important way.
Instead of the injured party having to prove the other driver was at fault from scratch, the violation itself creates a legal presumption that the driver who failed to yield caused the accident.
The at-fault driver can still challenge this presumption, but they must present evidence to overcome it.
This could include proof that the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, was distracted, or created the hazard in some other way.
Without that kind of evidence, the presumption stands, and the driver who violated the right-of-way rule will likely be held responsible for the crash and its consequences.
Traffic Penalties vs. Civil Liability in Arkansas
One of the most common questions after an intersection accident is whether the at-fault driver faces criminal consequences, civil consequences, or both.
The answer depends on the specific circumstances, but there is an important distinction between the two.
Traffic Violations Under Sections 27-51-502 and 27-51-503
A violation of either Arkansas Code Section 27-51-502 or Section 27-51-503 is generally treated as a traffic infraction rather than a criminal offense.
This means the driver may receive a citation from law enforcement, which can result in a fine and points on their driving record.
A standard traffic citation for failing to yield right-of-way does not carry jail time.
However, the police report and any citation issued at the scene can become powerful evidence in the civil side of the case.
Even if no citation is issued, the officer’s description of the accident in the crash report often references right-of-way rules, and those findings carry significant weight with insurance companies and in court proceedings.
Civil Liability and Financial Consequences
The civil repercussions of a Section 27-51-502 or 27-51-503 violation are usually far more significant than the traffic penalty itself.
Arkansas is a fault-based state for car insurance purposes, which means the driver responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for paying for the damages.
Those damages can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and in severe cases, long-term disability or wrongful death claims.
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance is the first source of payment, but if the damages exceed their policy limits, the driver can be held personally responsible for the remaining amount.
For the person who was injured, this means that a documented right-of-way violation can be a strong foundation for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
How Arkansas Comparative Fault Rules Apply
Even in cases where one driver clearly violated Section 27-51-502 or 27-51-503, the question of fault is not always black and white.
Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault system under Arkansas Code Section 16-64-122, which means that more than one driver can share responsibility for an accident.
The 50 Percent Bar Rule
Under this system, fault is divided between the parties based on their respective contributions to the accident.
If you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
However, if your share of the fault reaches 50 percent or more, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation at all.
This is often called the “50 percent bar rule,” and it is one of the most critical aspects of any Arkansas personal injury case.
Why Comparative Fault Matters in Right-of-Way Cases
Insurance companies know this rule well, and they frequently use it as a strategy to reduce or eliminate their payout.
Even in a case where the other driver clearly failed to yield, the insurance adjuster may argue that you were partially at fault for reasons such as speeding, being distracted, or failing to take evasive action.
In left-turn accident cases involving Section 27-51-502 or 27-51-503 violations, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will often try to push the injured person’s fault percentage above 50 percent to avoid paying the claim entirely.
This is why gathering strong evidence early and understanding how fault allocation works in Arkansas is so important.
A single percentage point can mean the difference between full compensation and nothing at all.
Steps You Should Take After an Intersection Accident in Arkansas
Knowing your rights under the law is important, but what you do after a car accident can be just as critical to the outcome of your case.
Get the Crash Report as Soon as It Is Available
The official crash report prepared by the responding officer is one of the most important documents in any intersection accident case.
It will typically include a diagram of the accident, statements from both drivers and any witnesses, and often a reference to the specific traffic law that was violated.
Look carefully for any mention of Section 27-51-503 or Section 27-51-502, as well as notes about speed, distraction, or other factors involving the other driver.
If you believe the report contains errors, particularly regarding the diagram or fault assessment, you can request a correction or supplement through the responding agency.
Open a Claim With Your Insurance Company
You should report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible, even if you believe the other driver was at fault.
This step is important for several reasons.
Your policy may include Medical Payments coverage (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP), both of which can help pay for your medical treatment regardless of who caused the accident.
While both MedPay and PIP are optional in Arkansas, many drivers carry one or both types of coverage without realizing it.
Filing with your own insurer also starts a formal record of the accident, which can be helpful later in the claims process.
Be Careful With Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters from the other driver’s company may contact you and ask for a recorded statement.
You are not required to provide one, and it is often in your best interest to wait until you have reviewed the crash report and spoken with an attorney before agreeing to a recorded conversation.
Anything you say in a recorded statement can be used to argue that you were more at fault than you actually were, which directly impacts your ability to recover compensation under the comparative fault rules.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it is important to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident.
Chest pain, side pain, headaches, and other symptoms that seem manageable in the moment can turn out to be signs of more serious conditions like fractured ribs, internal bruising, or soft-tissue injuries.
Delayed symptoms are common and legitimate in car accident cases, and a documented medical evaluation creates a record that connects your injuries to the crash.
If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or that they were not serious enough to warrant compensation.
Document Everything
Take photographs of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and signals.
Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts for expenses related to the accident.
Write down your own recollection of the events while they are still fresh in your memory.
This evidence can be critical in proving your case, particularly if the other driver or their insurance company disputes the facts.
What Can Shift Liability in Your Favor
While a violation of Section 27-51-502 or 27-51-503 creates a strong presumption of fault against the driver who failed to yield, that presumption is not absolute.
Several factors can shift liability partially or entirely to the other driver, even in cases where it initially appears that you may have been at fault.
Evidence That the Other Driver Created the Hazard
If the other vehicle was traveling significantly above the speed limit, the situation changes considerably.
A driver who is speeding through an intersection may have appeared to be far enough away for a safe turn or crossing, but their excessive speed closed the gap faster than a reasonable person could have anticipated.
On top of that, if the other driver ran a red light, entered the intersection on a stale yellow, changed lanes inside the intersection, or was distracted by a phone or other device, those facts can shift the fault analysis.
Road Design and Visibility Issues
In some cases, the layout of the intersection itself contributes to the accident.
Obstructed sight lines caused by overgrown vegetation, poorly placed signage, parked vehicles, or road design flaws can make it difficult for a driver to see approaching traffic, even when they are doing everything right.
If the road design played a role, there may be additional parties responsible for the accident, including the city, county, or state agency in charge of maintaining that intersection.
Commercial Vehicle Involvement
When the other vehicle involved in the accident is a commercial truck, the situation becomes significantly more complex.
Commercial vehicles are subject to federal regulations that do not apply to passenger cars, including rules about driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading.
The insurance policies on commercial trucks are also typically much larger, which means the insurance company has a stronger financial incentive to fight the claim aggressively.
If you were hit by a commercial truck at an intersection, the investigation should include a review of the truck driver’s logbooks, the company’s maintenance records, and any electronic data from the vehicle’s onboard systems.
Need Help After an Arkansas Intersection Accident? Call Shamieh Law Today
Left-turn accidents and other intersection crashes involving right-of-way violations under Ark. Code 27-51-502 and 27-51-503 carry real consequences, from traffic citations to significant civil liability that can affect your financial future for years to come.
Whether you were injured by a driver who turned left into your path, failed to yield at a stop sign, or ran through a yield sign, you have rights under Arkansas law.
The key is acting quickly to preserve evidence, document your injuries, and avoid costly mistakes with insurance companies.
At Shamieh Law, our Arkansas car accident lawyers are here to help if you’ve been injured in a car accident.
Our team has recovered over $250 million for injured clients, and we are ready to get to work on your case the moment you call.
If you have been involved in an intersection accident in Arkansas, do not wait to get answers.
Call Shamieh Law today at 501-361-1334 for a free consultation.