Suicide Lane (turn lane question)

[Riddalin21]

I havent been able to find any info as to what a safe, or legal speed would be in a turn lane. In my accident the guy that hits me his insurance is saying i am 20% at fault for driving to fast in a turn lane (no the police didnt seem to say that though) anyways i cant find any info any help would be great, and CVC codes will help also thanks

[SgtGrant]

I don't believe there is a specific section relating to speeds on turn lanes because they all vary depending on the road. There is however sections related to driving faster than the posted limit. Most of the time in a turn, you will see a yellow sign with the limit posted on it. This speed is what the traffic engineers recommend as the maximum speed the turn should be taken at. So, not seeing the accident report, I don't know where the insurance co. got the information that you were driving faster than the posted sign. Also, keep in mind that the insurance co. is a business and hence your situation is a civil one. The insurance co. can pretty much decide whatever they want to based upon their own investigation. If you don't like the way you are treated, then you shop another insurance co.

[Riddalin21]

Thanks Sarge, The posted speed limit was 35, i was slowing down from 20 mph at the time, The other guys insurance is dicking me around so im trying to get all the info i can, and the police report is pretty vaque. I belice it was Hightower that took the report. looks like its court time as a last resort

[Wolf]

I think he's referring to the center left turn lane, not an actual curve in the road. I haven't heard of any specific law for speed in that lane aside from the posted speed limit, but I think there's a limit on how far you can drive in the lane.

[Riddalin21]

Originally posted by Wolf
I think he's referring to the center left turn lane, not an actual curve in the road. I haven't heard of any specific law for speed in that lane aside from the posted speed limit, but I think there's a limit on how far you can drive in the lane.

21460c its 200ft;)

[SgtGrant]

Keep in mind that insurance companies will always fight to spread the blame around as much as possible. Whereas a police report will list the primary and secondary collision factors specifically naming the parties at fault, the insurance companies can assign a percentage. It is possible for two insurance companies to negotiate sharing fault. If your insurance company agrees that you are say 30% at fault, then they would pay 30% of the cost. Only in very clear cut cases where a person is hit while standing still in a completely legal position does the insurance company of the hitter accept 100% liability for the crash. Sounds like the other guys company is trying to negotiate some percentage of fault on your part. Not an uncommon situation.

[Riddalin21]

in the police report i was driver 2 he was driver 1, the police report said drive 1 hit driver 2, he was cited for 21802a. from what i have read i had every right of way and he wa cited and according to the report he was the cause of the accident. what would you say though?

[XTC Dynamic Supra]

I was under the impression that if you enter the turn lane within the 200 ft you should be allowed to enter it at the posted speed limit then proceed to slow down.

[SgtGrant]

Well, as I said, it sounds like the guys insurance co. is bartering. The section the other driver was cited for reads:

21802. (a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.

Not sure how this applies to your situation but I suspect the guys insurance co. is just trying to introduce mitigating circumstances in order to lessen their burden of the costs. You need to have this discussion with the case handler at your insurance co. They will ultimately decide the civil issues.