Have you been injured in a U-turn car accident in Philadelphia, PA? If so, you may be unsure whether you or the other driver is responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. We can help.
The Philadelphia U-turn car accidents attorney of Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers have experience handling these types of personal injury cases.
Our lawyers have over 80 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. Contact our office or call (215) 875-7030 to schedule your free consultation with a car accident attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
How Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a U-Turn Accident
Since 1985, the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys of Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers have been helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.
We are passionate about victims’ rights, and it shows in our commitment to our clients. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in awards for our clients.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Provide an honest and compassionate attorney-client relationship
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to gather evidence
- Communicate with your doctors to document your injuries
- Work with you to document damages to increase the value of your claim
- Handle all communication with the insurance company
- Negotiate aggressively for the maximum compensation available in your case
- Monitor deadlines for filing claims and personal injury lawsuits
We are aggressive and talented negotiators. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers are prepared to file a lawsuit to protect your best interests.
Call our law office or use the contact form online to request your free consultation with an accident lawyer to discuss your case.
How Common Are U-Turn Car Accidents In Philly?
Improper turning, including U-turns, is a common cause of car accidents. According to the 2019 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics, improper turning resulted in 13,065 accidents that year, including 51 fatal crashes.
Overview of U-Turn Car Accidents
U-turns are sharp 180- degree turns to create a “U” shape that allows the driver to turn the car to travel in the opposite direction.
They are different from a three-point turn because the turn is a smooth, fluid motion that does not require the driver to stop, back up, and then proceed in the opposite direction.
A U-turn may be made from a turning lane or a straightaway lane. Pennsylvania law prohibits U-turns whenever there is a sign that indicates “No U-turns.”
Otherwise, U-turns are only allowed under the following circumstances:
- The U-turn does not interfere or disturb traffic
- Oncoming traffic from all directions are at least 500 feet away, and drivers can clearly see the vehicle turning
U-turns are not allowed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike or other major intrastate highways. Drivers may be issued citations for illegal U-turns. Improper U-turns can result in fines and other penalties.
What Are Common Causes of U-Turn Car Accidents?
The most common cause of a U-turn accident is a left turn in front of traffic that is not far enough away to avoid a collision. Another common cause of U-turn car accidents is turning into a lane when a car is making a right turn into the same lane.
Drivers often engage in illegal U-turns when they miss a turn, or they may be lost. Distracted driving and speeding can contribute to the need to make a U-turn.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by U-Turn Crashes
Car accidents caused by U-turns can result in severe injuries. Common injuries that victims sustain in U-turn crashes include:
- Brain injuries
- Chest injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Airbag injuries and seatbelt injuries
- Lacerations and scarring
If you are injured in an accident, seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Some accident injuries may not present symptoms for a few hours or days after an accident.
Prompt medical attention can help avoid a more serious condition. It also improves your chance of recovering compensation for damages after a car crash.
Who is Liable for a U-Turn Accident?
In most cases, the driver making the U-turn is liable for damages caused by a U-turn accident. The driver making the turn has the duty of care to ensure that traffic is clear for the turn.
However, there could be cases in which both drivers share liability for a U-turn accident.
For example, the accident victim may have been speeding through an intersection at the time of the crash. A jury might find that the speeding driver was partially to blame for the cause of the collision.
If so, the insurance company for the other driver may raise allegations of comparative negligence. The law states that a person’s fault in a car accident can reduce their compensation for damages by their percentage of fault.
In other words, you may not receive full value for your accident claim if you are partially at fault for the auto accident. In Pennsylvania, there’s a 51% bar to recovery, which means that compensation is unavailable when your share of the blame exceeds 50%.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Crash Lawyers in Philadelphia
If another driving turns into oncoming traffic, that driver could be liable for damages caused by the accident. Turn accidents and illegal U-turns can cause substantial damage. Our legal team provides advice, support, and guidance as you continue to heal from your injuries.
Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a Philadelphia U-Turn car accident attorney to discuss how we can help you fight for compensation after a U-turn accident.
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