Unsafe Left Turn Triggers Multi-Vehicle Collision in Phoenix
Unsafe Left Turn Triggers Multi-Vehicle Collision in Phoenix
Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC Investigates a Contested Chain-Reaction Crash
At Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC, we routinely represent people injured in complex motor vehicle collisions where fault is disputed and insurance companies attempt to minimize or misassign responsibility. One of our recent cases highlights a recurring danger on Arizona roadways: unsafe left turns at busy intersections, and how a single negligent decision can cascade into a multi-vehicle collision injuring innocent motorists.
This case arises from a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash that occurred on June 20, 2025, near the intersection of North 51st Avenue and West Indian School Road in Phoenix, Arizona. After reviewing the police report, witness statements, crash diagram, photographs, and scene video, the evidence establishes a clear crash sequence—and why determining liability requires careful legal analysis.
How the Crash Happened
According to the Phoenix Police Department crash report, the collision occurred when the first vehicle was positioned in the two-way continuous left-turn lane on North 51st Avenue and attempted to make a left turn into a private driveway located at 4005 North 51st Avenue.
At the same time, a second vehicle was traveling southbound on North 51st Avenue, with the right of way to proceed toward an eastbound turn onto West Indian School Road.
As the first vehicle initiated its left turn, it failed to yield to oncoming traffic and entered the second vehicle’s lane when it was not clear or safe to do so. The first vehicle made contact with the rear of the second vehicle. The police investigation determined that the first vehicle turned across an active lane of travel, directly causing the initial collision.
Evidence also showed that the second vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed as it approached the intersection. While that speed contributed to the severity of the impacts that followed, it was a secondary factor. The crash sequence began when the first vehicle made an unsafe left turn across traffic that had the right of way.
After colliding with the first vehicle, the second vehicle continued forward and struck the third vehicle, which was lawfully stopped northbound in the number two lane on North 51st Avenue while waiting to proceed through the intersection. Our client was the driver of this third vehicle.
The force of that impact pushed the third vehicle into the fourth vehicle, which was also stopped in the same lane. The result was a four-vehicle chain-reaction collision involving multiple impacts and significant property damage—despite the fact that our client and other motorists were simply stopped and obeying traffic laws.
Independent Witness Confirms Right-of-Way and Unsafe Turn
An independent witness traveling northbound on North 51st Avenue observed the crash as it occurred. The witness reported seeing the first vehicle initiate a left turn into the private driveway while the second vehicle was lawfully traveling in the right-turn lane with the right of way.
The witness also noted that the second vehicle was approaching at a high rate of speed. Critically, however, the witness confirmed that the first vehicle turned across the second vehicle’s lane of travel, precipitating the collision.
This testimony is significant because it confirms that the failure to yield during the left turn—not speed alone—triggered the crash, with speed merely increasing the force of the subsequent impacts. It is also valuable evidence in contesting any contrary findings of fault made by the insurance company because it is from an uninvolved witness. In other words, a witness who was not involved in the crash and is not biased.
Arizona Law on Left Turns and Right-of-Way
Arizona law is clear about the duties of drivers making left turns.
Under A.R.S. § 28-772, a driver intending to turn left within an intersection or into a driveway must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic that is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. The turning driver may proceed only when it is reasonably safe to do so.
In addition, A.R.S. § 28-701(A) requires all drivers to operate their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances. While excessive speed can be a contributing factor, it does not relieve a left-turning driver of the non-delegable duty to yield before crossing an active lane of traffic.
In this case, the evidence shows that the first vehicle violated its statutory duty by turning left when it was not safe, setting the crash sequence in motion. The speeding of the second driver was a contributing factor to causing the collision with the third and fourth vehicle. However, but for the negligence of the first driver, there would be no collision whatsoever. As a result, the majority of fault will be placed on the driver of the first vehicle.
Our Client’s Injuries and Medical Treatment
As a result of the collision, our client—the driver of the third vehicle—required emergency medical evaluation. He was transported to the emergency room, where he underwent diagnostic testing and clinical assessment to evaluate crash-related injuries and rule out more serious trauma.
Following his ER evaluation, his treating providers prescribed a course of physical therapy to address ongoing pain, functional limitations, and injuries caused by the violent forces of the secondary impact.
This treatment pattern is common in chain-reaction crashes, where drivers who are stopped and struck indirectly often sustain significant injuries despite having no opportunity to avoid the collision.
Determining Liability Is One of the Most Important Roles of the Injury Attorney
In multi-vehicle collisions, liability is rarely as simple as pointing to the first impact. Insurance companies often attempt to:
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Shift blame to secondary drivers
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Minimize the role of unsafe turning decisions
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Argue that injuries were caused by later impacts rather than negligence
Determining and properly assigning liability is one of the most important roles of an experienced injury attorney.
At Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC, we analyze:
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Who initiated the crash sequence
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Which drivers violated statutory duties
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How secondary and tertiary impacts occurred
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Which motorists—like our client—were innocent and unavoidable victims
This analysis is essential when bringing an injury claim against an insurance company and pursuing full and fair compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and long-term consequences.
Below is a video from the scene helping explain how the crash ocurred.
The Often-Overlooked Danger of Multi-Vehicle Collisions
Chain-reaction crashes are especially dangerous because once vehicles collide, they can become uncontrolled projectiles, placing others at risk well beyond the initial impact.
Secondary and tertiary collisions routinely injure people who had no role in causing the crash, including motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
Secondary and tertiary collisions routinely injure people who had no role in causing the crash, including motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.
Examples of how secondary impacts can place others in peril include:
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Stopped drivers being rear-ended or pushed forward into intersections after an initial impact
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Pedestrians standing on sidewalks or waiting at crosswalks being struck when a vehicle is knocked off the roadway
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Drivers in adjacent lanes being hit by spinning vehicles or debris propelled by the crash
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Passengers inside vehicles suffering serious injuries during secondary impacts despite having no involvement in the initial collision
These dangers underscore why unsafe left turns and inattentive driving create risks far beyond the drivers immediately involved.
Injured in an Arizona Multi-Vehicle Crash? Speak With a Trial-Focused Law Firm.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision involving:
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Unsafe left turns
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Failure to yield
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Chain-reaction or multi-vehicle crashes
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Secondary or indirect impacts
you should speak with an experienced Arizona injury lawyer as soon as possible.
📍 Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC
⚖️ Arizona Car Accident & Injury Trial Lawyers
📞 Schedule a confidential consultation today
We don’t just take cases. We take responsibility—seriously.
About the author: The content on this page was provided by Scottsdale personal injury attorney and civil rights lawyer Tony Piccuta with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence. Piccuta graduated with honors from Indiana University-Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana (Previously Ranked Top 35 US News & World Report). Piccuta took and passed the State bars of Arizona, California, Illinois and Nevada (all on the first try). He actively practices throughout Arizona and California. He is a trial attorney that regularly handles serious personal injury cases and civil rights lawsuits. He has obtained six and seven figure verdicts in both state and federal court. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers for six years straight. He is a member of the Arizona Association of Justice, Maricopa County Bar Association, Scottsdale Bar Association, American Association for Justice, National Police Accountability Project and Consumer Attorneys of California, among other organizations.
Disclaimer: The information on this web site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page is attorney advertising. Reading and relying upon the content on this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, you should contact our law firm for a free consultation and to discuss your specific case and issues.
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