U-Turn Car Accidents

It is not uncommon for people to realize they missed a turn or are traveling in the wrong direction and make sudden U-turns to reverse their course. U-turns are often made hastily without proper regard for other people on the road, and as such, commonly lead to accidents. Car crashes often cause significant injuries and drivers that recklessly cause collisions should be held accountable. If you suffered harm due to a U-turn car accident, you might be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The knowledgeable Cape Cod lawyers of The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, can advise you of your rights and help you to pursue the maximum compensation recoverable under the law. We have more than fifteen decades of collective experience representing parties in car accident lawsuits in Cape Cod and Plymouth, and our dedicated advocacy has enabled us to recover several multi-million dollar damages awards for our clients.

A U-turn involves a driver who is traveling in one direction turning into the opposing lane of traffic to go in the opposite direction, forming the shape of a U. In most cases, people make U-turns because they missed a turn or determined they are traveling the wrong way. Regardless of the circumstances that lead to a U-turn, all motorists must check for oncoming traffic before making a turn and must comply with the speed limit and any posted signs. Frequently, though, people making U-turns are frustrated or in a hurry and fail to abide by the rules of the road. Thus, they are likely to strike or be hit by people approaching from the opposite direction. Such collisions often happen at a high rate of speed and cause significant injuries, like concussions, hemorrhages, fractures, and torn ligaments and tendons.

Massachusetts law generally permits drivers to make U-turns unless there is a sign expressly prohibiting them. U-turns, like all other driving maneuvers, must be made safely, however. If a U-turn is performed recklessly and the turning driver collides with another motorist, he or she may be held liable for damages in a civil lawsuit. Generally, in a case arising out of a car accident, the plaintiff will assert the defendant is negligent. Under Massachusetts law, a plaintiff must prove each element of negligence by a preponderance of evidence to present a winning case.

The first element of negligence is duty. In other words, the plaintiff must show the defendant owed him or her a duty. The duty owed may be to act with reasonable care under the given circumstances or to comply with a motor vehicle law. Next, the plaintiff has to prove the defendant’s behavior constitutes a breach of the duty owed. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate causation and damages. This means that the plaintiff has to establish that the defendant’s breach of the standard of care caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable harm, such as physical injuries, property damage, or economic losses.

It is not uncommon for defendants in car accident cases to argue that the plaintiff caused the accident, and therefore, should not be awarded any damages. Under Massachusetts law, though, plaintiffs are only barred from recovery if they are more at fault than the defendants. As such, if a plaintiff is deemed fifty percent or less at fault, the defendant’s liability will merely be reduced.

While U-turns are permissible in Massachusetts under certain circumstances, they must be carefully executed, and when they are not, accidents are likely to occur. If you were hurt in a U-turn car accident, you should meet with an attorney about your options for pursuing compensation. At The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our skilled Cape Cod car accident attorneys are adept at helping people harmed by the negligence of others seek redress for their losses, and if we represent you, we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. We are proud to uphold a record of successful results, including multiple settlements and verdicts that surpass one million dollars. We represent people in lawsuits arising out of car crashes on Cape Cod, and we are available to meet with clients in Hyannis and Plymouth as well. You can reach us via our form online or at 888-262-6664 to set up a conference.