Side-impact and angle collisions

Turning across traffic

A Georgia driver intending to turn left must yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when that vehicle is in the intersection or close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Whether that rule applies depends on the vehicles' positions and movements, not simply the area of damage.^[2]

Traffic signals

Georgia's traffic-signal statute distinguishes green indications, yellow warnings and red stop requirements. A green light does not eliminate the duty to yield in circumstances specified by the statute. Descriptions of an intersection collision should identify which signal controlled the movement rather than reducing every dispute to "who had green."^[3]

Describing an intersection movement

The signal statute specifies where a driver facing a steady circular red indication must stop, including a marked stop line where one exists. A collision account should therefore identify the controlling signal and the stopping location. The Georgia collision manual supplies the reporting framework, but the impact category alone cannot establish which signal a driver faced.^[3][1]

Related entries

• Liability and comparative fault in Georgia Georgia liability and comparative fault, including nonparty apportionment and the recovery threshold.
• Georgia crash reports and requests Georgia crash reporting duties and how GDOT and DPS describe requests for reports and related records.