Sometimes, when a driver gets turned around, the only recourse is to make a U-turn. This quick 180 maneuver is one of the most dangerous moves a driver can make on the road, however.
If you were injured in an accident involving a U-turn, you need to understand the rules governing them and how a Buffalo car accident lawyer can help determine liability in these accidents.
Legal Definition of the U-Turn in New York State
A U-turn is simply any turn a vehicle makes to reverse its direction of travel. New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law sets clear limitations on when and where this maneuver is permissible, imposing a high degree of care on the driver making the turn. Under the Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1161, U-turns are generally prohibited in the following situations:
- Restricted Visibility: Drivers are prohibited from making U-turns on curves or in areas of hills where the turning vehicle cannot be seen by an approaching vehicle from 500 feet in either direction.
- School Zones: Generally, drivers are prohibited from making U-turns in and around school zones due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic.
- Posted Zones: Drivers are prohibited from making U-turns at intersections posted with No U-Turn signs.
- Specific Lanes: Drivers are only allowed, in areas that do not have restricted visibility, posted signs, or school zones, to make U-turns from the lane nearest to the center divider of the roadway. Turning from a lane requiring the driver to cross another lane of traffic is prohibited due to the risk it entails.
Any driver who disobeys these laws and causes an accident typically will be found negligent.
Determining Liability in Buffalo, NY U-Turn Injury Accidents
Establishing liability is key to any personal injury claim. In New York, liability is determined based on whether the driver acted with negligent or reckless behavior. For example, if a turning driver violates the law and makes a U-turn in a prohibited area, they may be found to be negligent per se. This legal term indicates that, due to the driver turning and ignoring the law itself, there is evidence that they were driving negligently.
Other situations of obvious fault could include blocking the lane, failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians, or attempting to make a U-turn from the wrong lane. All of these situations dramatically increase the risk of collision, thereby showing negligent behavior and a lack of care for other drivers on the road.
Seeking Compensation After a U-Turn Accident in Buffalo
Anyone injured by a negligent driver while they were executing a U-turn has the right to seek compensation. This includes other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, regardless of their direction of travel.
Even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you may still be able to seek compensation. Under New York State Law, if you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you can pursue compensation from the other party involved, even if you are deemed 99% at fault. Whatever percentage of fault you are determined to have will simply reduce the damages you are able to recover by that percentage.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to a dangerous or illegal U-turn in the state of New York, you need to consult with a Buffalo U-turn accident attorney. At Towey Law PLLC, our Buffalo injury lawyers are dedicated to helping injury victims recover the compensation they are owed for their injuries.