We often hear from accident victims who were in the middle of a U-turn when they were struck and injured by another driver. Although this type of accident is common, there are many scenarios that can lead to the crash – and the same vehicle won’t always be responsible for the damages. We know understanding who is at fault during this type of accident can be confusing, so here is some insight that may help you understand how the professionals determine who is responsible.
Even if we don’t mention your situation in this post, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries through a personal injury case. Please contact a U-turn car accident attorney before you speak to or accept money from the other party or their insurance company.
The Legality of the U-Turn
As you may suspect, a driver who is hit by another vehicle while making an illegal U-turn is generally held responsible for the accident. They were not following traffic laws, which are created to help drivers avoid an accident. The driver who hit the U-turning vehicle may be able to pursue a personal injury case if they are not at fault.
There are certain roads where it is perfectly legal to make a U-turn. In this case, fault is not determined by which driver was making the U-turn, instead, by who had the right-of-way, and whether either driver was distracted. If you had a green arrow while making your U-turn and a driver coming from the other direction T-boned your car, that driver was negligent by not stopping at their red light. A driver who is turning right on red and hits you during a U-turn, especially if they turn out into the lane farthest from them, has not yielded the right-of-way.
The Safety of the U-Turn
Even if the U-turn is legal, the driver executing the turn must be aware of the speed of traffic in the lane they’re entering. If they are struck by another car that is going with the flow of traffic, the U-turning driver may be to blame. For example, if the driver executes a wide turn, hits the far curb, and has to back up to get in their lane, their sudden stop may be to blame for an accident.
U-Turn Accident: Who’s at Fault Under Minnesota Law?
If you were hit while making a turn, determining fault requires looking at more than which vehicle struck the other. Minnesota law requires a driver making a U-turn to make sure the movement can be completed safely and without interfering with other traffic. U-turns are also prohibited on certain curves and near the crest of a grade when approaching drivers cannot see the turning vehicle from the distance required by law.
That means the answer to “U-turn accident: who’s at fault?” depends heavily on what happened immediately before the collision. Investigators may consider traffic signals and signs, each vehicle’s location and speed, whether the U-turning driver yielded when required, whether either driver was distracted, and whether the drivers had enough time to see and react to one another.
Fault can also be shared. Minnesota uses a comparative fault system, so more than one driver may potentially bear responsibility for a collision. An insurance company’s initial determination of fault does not necessarily resolve the issue.
What If You Are Rear-Ended While Making a U-Turn?
Being rear-ended while making a U-turn does not automatically establish which driver is responsible. A driver approaching from behind has a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely, but the U-turning driver must also make the maneuver safely and provide the appropriate signal.
Evidence becomes especially important in these cases. Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, witness accounts, traffic or surveillance video, and information about where each vehicle was positioned may help establish how the collision occurred.
If you are injured, a U-turn accident lawyer can investigate the crash and evaluate the evidence rather than relying solely on the other driver’s or insurance company’s version of events.
U-Turn Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks
U-turn crashes can become particularly serious when a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle is involved. Large trucks require considerably more space to maneuver, and a truck attempting a U-turn may temporarily occupy multiple lanes or create an unexpected obstruction for approaching traffic.
Determining responsibility in a commercial vehicle crash can also involve evidence that isn’t present in a typical passenger-vehicle accident. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may examine driver logs, electronic data, dashcam footage, company safety policies, vehicle maintenance records, and information about the driver’s training and conduct.
A U-turn truck accident attorney can also investigate whether responsibility may extend beyond the individual driver. In some cases, a trucking company or another party may potentially share liability. Identifying all responsible parties can be especially important when a collision results in catastrophic injuries, extensive medical treatment, lost income, or other significant damages.
Right On Red Driver vs. U-Turn Driver
This common type of accident occurs when a driver at a red light decides to turn right on red without properly yielding to a driver who is making a legal U-turn. The driver who is making the U-turn has a green light, so the right-of-way should be yielded to this driver. Anyone who chooses to make a right turn on red must do so safely by ensuring there are no cars, bicycles, or pedestrians in the street before they turn.
But what about roads where there is no traffic light? If a driver at a stop sign is making a right turn, they must still yield to the driver making the legal U-turn. The fact remains that the driver making a right turn must be vigilant to safely make their turn without striking a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. If you were struck by a right-turning driver, a Minnesota U-turn accident attorney can help you quickly determine who was at fault and how to proceed.
After the Accident: Your Next Steps
In most situations, an accident that occurs during a legal U-turn is not the fault of the U-turning driver. If you were struck by another vehicle during a U-turn, speak to a Minnesota U-turn car accident attorney before claiming responsibility for the accident or accepting money from insurance.
Sieben Edmunds Miller is a Minnesota car accident law firm with decades of combined experience helping our clients pursue personal injury claims. Our Minnesota U-turn car accident lawyers can quickly determine who was at fault for the accident and what you can do to recoup the cost of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial hardships.
Were you injured in a U-turn accident and believe you are not at fault? Our Minnesota U-turn accident lawyers are eager to get started on your personal injury case.
