When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic and strikes a motorcycle, the first dispute is who had the right of way. These crashes can leave riders with severe injuries. Georgia law answers the right-of-way question directly.
Georgia’s Left-Turn Rule Puts the Duty on the Turning Driver
O.C.G.A. 40-6-71 says that a driver intending to turn left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway “shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.” That wording reaches a rider coming from the opposite direction. The rule doesn’t excuse a rider who ignores a signal, but it places the first duty on the turning driver, who has to wait.
“Immediate Hazard” Is Where Disputes Begin
The phrase “so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard” is where arguments start. A driver who hit a rider may say the motorcycle appeared from nowhere, or that it was going too fast to judge.
Speed and distance become the central facts. That’s why photographs and measurements of the intersection matter so much. Anyone hurt in a turning crash can ask a Cobb County motorcycle accident lawyer to look at how far away the rider was when the turn began, how fast the bike was moving, and what the driver could see.
Evidence That Helps Settle It
Left-turn crashes leave physical clues. Useful items include:
- Photos of the intersection, the sightlines, and any signals or signs
- Skid marks, debris, and the final resting positions of both vehicles
- Nearby business or traffic camera footage
- Witness names and phone numbers collected at the scene
- The rider’s helmet and gear, kept in the condition they were found
Businesses may overwrite camera footage on their own schedules, so ask for it early.
Insurers May Argue the Rider Shares Blame
Insurance adjusters sometimes claim a rider was speeding, lane-splitting, or hard to see. If they succeed, the rider’s share of fault can reduce a claim.
A rider who knows how shared blame works in Georgia can see why those arguments matter. The rule is worth knowing before an adjuster raises it.
Riders have protections of their own. The overview of motorcycle rights shows where a rider stands after a crash.
Serious Injuries Change the Stakes
A rider has no vehicle body for protection, so a left-turn collision can cause broken bones, road rash, and head injuries. A rider with a brain injury may need long-term care and time away from work.
A claim has to account for all of that harm. For injuries this serious, a Cobb County brain injury lawyer can explain what the claim has to cover.
Riders trying to understand the full range of protections can start with rider rights explained. Knowing the rules early makes each later decision easier.
Local Roads Matter
Left turns happen at intersections and driveways across the county. A rider hurt in Marietta can look at a Marietta motorcycle accident lawyer for the local picture.
Riders on the north side of Cobb County have options as well. Closer to Kennesaw, a Kennesaw motorcycle accident lawyer handles cases for riders in that area.
How We Help
At Johnson & Alday, LLC, we represent injured riders and other accident victims throughout Cobb County. We handle motorcycle cases on a contingency fee, and our attorneys bring about 40 years of combined experience. Attorney Bobby Johnson has spent 16 years representing injured workers and plaintiffs against insurance companies. Attorney John Alday was named a Super Lawyer in 2026.
Your Next Move
A left-turn crash happens quickly, but the claim that follows can take much longer. Details are freshest right after a crash, so notes about the turn, the weather, and the lighting are worth writing down while you remember them. If a driver turned across your path, you can reach out to us about your account of the crash, and a Cobb County motorcycle accident lawyer can make clear what to gather first.