A U-turn is one of the most dangerous traffic maneuvers, requiring a driver to cross multiple traffic lanes through oncoming traffic. Speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer in Marysville is crucial after an accident like this.
Under Washington traffic law RCW 46.61.295, U-turns are legal except at traffic signals, including under green lights; however, the law states the following:
“The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.” The text of the law goes on to stipulate:
“No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet.”
Contact Wells Trumbull for a free consultation today.
What Causes Washington U-Turn Car Accidents?
Although Washington law allows U-turns when a driver can see safely in both directions, it’s important to note that some cities in Washington have local ordinances prohibiting U-turns or limiting the places where drivers can make U-turns by posting “No U-turn” signs in areas where a U-turn is dangerous or could interfere with traffic flow.
Common causes of U-turn accidents in Washington include the following:
- Making a U-turn in a place with an incline, curve, or other visual obstruction (an illegal U-turn under Washington law)
- Failure to yield to a vehicle with the right of way while making a U-turn
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic when making a U-turn
- Making an illegal U-turn where it’s prohibited, since this is often in places where a U-turn is a dangerous maneuver
- Aggressive driving, or recklessly making a U-turn into traffic
- Making a U-turn in poor weather conditions, such as limited visibility or icy, slippery roads
The driver who made an unsafe U-turn is most often the party at fault in an accident, particularly drivers who make U-turns in places where they are prohibited by signage or local laws. This is why it’s important to consult a personal injury lawyer in Marysville for legal guidance.
Proving Liability In a Washington U-Turn Car Accident Claim
Car accidents often cause more than property damage to the involved vehicles. A U-turn accident can cause serious injuries. Under Washington’s fault-based car accident laws, an injury victim may file a compensation claim against a driver who causes their accident and injuries, including a driver who makes an unsafe and/or illegal U-turn. Proving liability requires demonstrating that the at-fault driver’s actions meet the following standards of legal liability:
- The driver owed a duty of care to the injury victim and others on the road, such as the duty to follow traffic law and take reasonable actions to avoid causing an accident
- They violated this duty of care through careless or reckless actions
- The violation of duty directly caused the accident and injuries
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Injuries in Washington U-turn accidents range in severity from mild, fully recoverable injuries with limited financial damages to grave injuries with catastrophic damages such as life-long disability or death.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Attorney Help My U-Turn Car Accident Case?
It takes compelling evidence of the at-fault driver’s liability and a careful calculation of an injury victim’s damages to recover the maximum compensation available for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call Wells Trumbull for a free case consultation and experienced legal representation that gets results.