Who Is Liable For A U-turn Accident?

U-turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers drivers make while on the road. It is actually advisable for drivers to avoid making a U-turn whenever possible. When drivers cannot avoid making a U-turn, they should make the turn cautiously. An improper U-turn can result in an accident, and U-turn accidents have the ability to cause severe injuries and even death.

You may be eligible to recover compensation if you’ve been injured in a Florida U-turn accident. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to determine who is at fault after a U-turn accident. However, with the help of a qualified car accident attorney, you can determine who is liable for your accident and recover the compensation you deserve.

Are U-turns Legal in Florida?

If you suffered injuries in a U-turn accident, you might be wondering if U-turns are legal in Florida. Generally, in Florida, U-turns are legal. According to Florida law, the only time a U-turn is illegal is if;

• the U-turn cannot be executed safely,
• there are traffic signs prohibiting U-turns, or
• the driver cannot complete the U-turn without interfering with other traffic.

For example, if there is a sign saying “U-turn Prohibited,” then a driver is prohibited from making a U-turn, and if they make the turn, they have violated the law and may face a traffic violation charge.

Who Is Liable for a U-turn Accident in Florida?

As stated earlier, determining liability after a U-turn accident can be challenging. Various things must be considered when determining who is responsible for a U-turn accident. However, in most cases, it is the driver who made the U-turn that is at fault for a U-turn accident.

One factor that is considered when determining liability in a U-turn accident is the Florida statute on U-turns. If a driver breaks the law when making a U-turn, for example, if they make a U-turn despite there being a traffic sign prohibiting U-turns, they have committed a non-criminal traffic violation. Apart from that, if such a driver hits someone, they will most likely be considered at fault for the accident.

Another factor that goes into determining liability after a U-turn accident is who had the right of way. A U-turning driver is required to yield to, among others, pedestrians in the crosswalk and oncoming traffic. If a driver making a U-turn fails to yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalk or oncoming traffic, they are at fault if an accident happens. However, in the event that an oncoming vehicle breaks the law, the driver of that vehicle would also be liable if an accident occurs.

Lastly, when determining liability after a U-turn accident, whether a driver made every reasonable effort to avoid the collision may be taken into consideration. Regardless of who has the legal right of way, drivers have the responsibility to make reasonable efforts to prevent accidents.

In conclusion, you should know that even in the event that you are also to blame for the U-turn accident that caused your injuries, you may still be eligible to recover compensation because Florida is a comparative negligence state.

Legal Help Is Available

Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here for you if you were injured in a Florida U-turn accident. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, and Bradenton areas.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1515.html