U-Turn Car Accidents

Most drivers have executed a U-turn at some point. We miss a turn or have incorrect directions. Instead of pulling over to turn around, we quickly whip the car around. However, if drivers aren’t cautious, they could cause a car accident while making a U-turn.

Our Miami car accident attorneys at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience working for injury victims. Since 2007, our law firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We work diligently on each case because we believe injured victims deserve to be fully compensated for the damages caused by another party’s negligence.

If you’ve been injured in a U-turn car accident, contact our law office or call us at (305) 937-0191 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Miami car accident lawyers.

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How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a U-Turn Car Accident

Drivers who fail to obey traffic laws or take reasonable care to avoid accidents breach their duty of care to other people using the road. The negligent driver can be held liable for damages, but first, you must prove the legal elements of negligence. Our Miami U-turn accident lawyers will handle everything for you.

When you hire Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case, you can expect us to:

Investigate the accident to determine the cause
Identify all parties who could be liable for your damages
Confirm insurance coverage and file insurance claims
Document your damages to calculate an accurate value for your injury claim
Work with expert witnesses, as necessary
Aggressively negotiate a settlement for your personal injury claim
Prepare and file a lawsuit to argue the case in court if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement amount

Our law firm accepts most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you do not owe anything for our legal services until we recover money for your auto accident claim.

If you or a family member were injured in an auto accident, reach out to our office for a free case evaluation with an experienced Miami car accident lawyer.

Are U-Turns Legal in Miami, FL?

A U-turn maneuver creates a “U” shape as the driver makes a sharp left turn to head in the opposite direction. The driver making the U-turn has a duty of care to ensure that they are not placing others in danger.

For example, the driver should not cross multiple lanes of traffic to make a U-turn. Also, the driver must check for oncoming vehicles to ensure that they can complete the U-turn with plenty of distance between them and oncoming traffic.

Florida Statute §316.1515 permits drivers to make U-turns if:

The U-turn can be executed safely;
There are no traffic signs prohibiting U-turns; and
The driver can complete the U-turn without interfering with other traffic.

Drivers who disobey the law can be charged with a traffic violation. However, drivers can also face civil liability for damages caused by a U-turn accident.

Who Is At Fault for a Miami U-Turn Accident?

The driver making the U-turn is generally at fault for a crash.

Common reasons why the driver might be at fault include but are not limited to:

The driver made an illegal U-turn
The driver did not have the right of way, such as turning left in front of oncoming traffic
The driver made an unsafe U-turn, even though they had the right of way
The driver crossed multiple lanes of traffic to make the U-turn
The driver failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian while making a U-turn

It can be challenging to determine who is at fault for the cause of a U-turn accident. Our legal team will investigate the crash to gather evidence of fault. We may also work with accident reconstructionists and other expert witnesses to recreate the accident to determine which driver caused the crash or contributed to the cause of the crash.

Contributory Fault and U-Turn Accidents in Florida

If both drivers contributed to the cause of the crash, Florida’s modified comparative fault law proportionally reduces compensation based on liability. However, you cannot receive compensation for your damages if your share of fault exceeds 50%.

For example, if you were 40% to blame for a U-turn accident, the other driver would be liable for 60% of your damages. If you were 51% or more to blame, you couldn’t receive compensation from another party.

What Compensation Can I Receive for a Miami U-Turn Accident?

U-turn accident claims are like other car accident claims in Florida.

Once you prove that you sustained serious injuries caused by the accident and the other driver caused the crash, you can recover compensation for damages, including:

Medical expenses
Physical pain and suffering
Property damage
Permanent impairments and disabilities
Lost wages, benefits, and earning potential
Decrease in quality of life and enjoyment of life
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Out-of-pocket expenses

The value of your accident claim depends on your economic damages, the severity of your injuries, comparative negligence, and other factors. We’ll work to get you the best possible settlement for your personal injury case.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for U-Turn Accident Cases in Florida?

The Florida statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits is two years from the accident date. However, there may be exceptions, so talk with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, you’ll be barred from recovering damages.

Note that the statute of limitations used to provide Florida victims four years to pursue a lawsuit. However, the law was changed on March 24, 2023. If your U-turn accident occurred after that date, you need to follow the two-year deadline.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Miami, FL Auto Accident Lawyer

U-turns can be dangerous. If a reckless driver caused your car wreck, let’s work together to hold the driver liable for your damages. We also provide legal representation if you were involved in any type of car accident in Miami-Dade County including:

Call our law firm to speak with a member of our legal team. Your initial consultation with a Miami car accident attorney is free.