If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a driver making an illegal U-turn in California, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Making an illegal U-turn is a traffic violation and can lead to dangerous situations, especially if the driver fails to yield to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or other vehicles.
In such cases, the driver who made the illegal U-turn may be held liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the crash.
đźš— What Is an Illegal U-Turn in California?
Under California Vehicle Code § 22100, drivers must make U-turns only when it’s safe and legal to do so. An illegal U-turn may occur in a number of situations, including:
- U-turns in intersections where they are prohibited by signs or traffic control devices.
- U-turns on curves or hills where the driver’s view of oncoming traffic is obstructed.
- U-turns in areas marked with a “no U-turn” sign, or in areas that are not legally designated for U-turns.
- Making a U-turn without yielding to pedestrians, bicyclists, or oncoming vehicles.
- U-turns made at a signal light when the driver does not have a green light or when it’s illegal to do so (e.g., at an intersection with a red signal).
🧩 What Evidence is Needed to Prove Liability?
In order to prove liability and strengthen your personal injury case after an illegal U-turn accident, you’ll need to gather evidence that demonstrates the other driver’s negligence. This could include:
- Police Report: The officer’s report may contain key information about the accident, including whether the driver was cited for making an illegal U-turn.
- Witness Statements: Eyewitnesses who saw the illegal U-turn or the accident can provide valuable testimony to help prove fault.
- Traffic Camera Footage: In some cases, traffic cameras at intersections may have recorded the illegal U-turn, providing clear evidence of the driver’s violation.
- Accident Scene Photos: Photos of the accident scene can show the location of the vehicles, the damage, and any road signs or markings indicating the U-turn was illegal.
- Dashcam or Surveillance Video: If you have a dashcam in your vehicle, it could have captured the illegal U-turn and the accident. Similarly, nearby businesses or traffic lights may have surveillance footage that can be helpful.
- Expert Testimony: In complex cases, an accident reconstruction expert can help determine the specific cause of the crash and confirm that the illegal U-turn was a factor in the accident.
đź’° What Compensation Can You Recover?
If the driver who made the illegal U-turn is found to be at fault, you may be entitled to several types of compensation:
âś… Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses: All costs related to medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future care needs.
- Lost wages: If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can recover lost wages, as well as future wages if your ability to work is impacted long-term.
- Vehicle repair/replacement: The costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Any other costs you incurred as a result of the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments or hiring help around the house.
âś… Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If the accident caused you to miss out on important activities or hobbies, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
- Emotional distress: Psychological harm resulting from the trauma of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Scarring or disfigurement: If the accident led to permanent scarring or disfigurement, you may receive compensation for these long-term effects.
👨‍⚖️ Do You Need a Lawyer?
Yes. It’s highly recommended to hire an experienced California personal injury lawyer if you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an illegal U-turn. A lawyer can help you:
- Establish liability: Proving that the driver made an illegal U-turn and is at fault.
- Gather evidence: A lawyer can help you obtain key evidence such as the police report, witness statements, and any video footage.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to settle claims for less than they are worth. A lawyer will ensure that you are fairly compensated.
- File a lawsuit: If negotiations don’t lead to a fair settlement, a lawyer can take your case to court.
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].