Car accidents can happen virtually anywhere at any time. Drivers can even get hit from the rear while going straight at a safe speed. However, U-turns are particularly dangerous because of the time and space needed to execute them. Moreover, U-turn accidents in Birmingham, Alabama, may cause serious injuries, depending on the circumstances.
Alabama law gives accident victims the right to seek damages from negligent drivers. A Birmingham car accident lawyer from Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue fair compensation following a U-turn collision. Call (205) 973-6417 to schedule a free consultation.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A U-Turn Accident In Birmingham, AL
Our Birmingham car accident attorneys have over 90 years of combined experience managing personal injury claims for accident victims. We have a strong reputation in Birmingham, AL, for success, with hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and damage awards to our name.
When you suffer an injury in an automobile collision caused by another driver’s negligence, our Birmingham personal injury lawyers can help by:
- Reviewing your accident and identifying the legal claims you can assert
- Investigating your accident and building a case against the at-fault driver
- Negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurer
- Taking your case to court if the insurer refuses a just resolution of your case
A U-turn crash can raise complex legal and factual questions, including whether the drivers shared responsibility for the collision. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Birmingham personal injury attorney and find out how we can fight to recover your injury-related losses.
Alabama Laws on Making U-Turns
Alabama doesn’t have a statute that specifically addresses U-turns. Instead, U-turns fall under the state’s general turning rules. Specifically, all turns, including U-turns, are only allowed when a driver can execute them with reasonable safety after giving the appropriate signal. The turn signal must be displayed for at least 100 continuous feet before the turn.
Implicitly, this law means that drivers can make a U-turn anywhere except where a sign prohibits it or where it can’t be performed with reasonable safety. For example, the law’s phrasing would prohibit U-turns on high-speed highways or roads where you would need to cross a median or island.
Common U-Turn Crash Scenarios in Birmingham
U-turn collisions usually happen in one of two specific ways:
A Vehicle Going Straight Hits a Vehicle Making a U-Turn
Many U-turns occur at intersections. In many cases, a driver who intends to make a U-turn at an intersection typically signals a left turn and moves into the left-turn lane. When they have the right of way, they turn sharply so they can execute the U-turn without reversing to make a three-point turn. A vehicle traveling in the opposite direction may hit the turning vehicle.
A Turning Vehicle Hits a Vehicle Making a U-Turn
When a driver executes a U-turn at an intersection, another motorist making a right turn at an adjacent red light might hit them. These collisions generally occur because the driver turning right assumes that the other driver was making a left turn rather than a U-turn.
Liability for U-Turn Accidents Under Alabama Law
The liability for a U-turn accident depends on which driver was negligent. A driver acts negligently when they fail to drive with reasonable caution. This is an objective standard that compares the driver’s actions to those of an idealized “reasonable driver” in the same circumstances.
If a driver fails to yield to a vehicle with the right of way while making a U-turn, they may be liable for any resulting injuries. Thus, in many cases, the liability for a collision with a vehicle going straight will fall on the driver making the U-turn because they failed to yield.
The analysis is reversed when a driver turns right on a red light and hits a vehicle making a U-turn. The driver making the U-turn technically has the right of way, which means the other driver should have yielded before turning right.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a U-Turn Accident in Alabama?
In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit for damages. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover any compensation. Exceptions can change the deadline, so it is critical that you consult a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to protect your rights.
Contact Our Birmingham Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Car accident injuries can negatively affect your health and financial state. If you’ve been involved in a crash in Birmingham, contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our Birmingham car accident lawyers will explain the compensation you may be entitled to seek under Alabama law.