Gainesville U-Turn Car Accident Lawyer
U-turn accidents occur on all types of roads in Gainesville, FL. While U-turns are common at intersections, a driver might decide to do a U-turn in the middle of a busy road or on a highway. While U-turns are legal in some situations, they can be dangerous and cause horrific head-on collisions, side-impact crashes, and rollover accidents.
Our experienced Florida car accident attorneys have won hundreds of millions in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. Attorney Bill Allen has devoted his legal career to personal injury law and has been helping accident victims since 1992. He protects the rights of injured victims and their families throughout North Central Florida.
Contact our personal injury law firm at (877) 255-3652 to discuss your case with one of our Gainesville U-turn car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Gainesville U-Turn Car Accident
Florida drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely. They must obey traffic laws and take reasonable steps to avoid an accident. When they breach their duty of care, they can be held liable for an accident victim’s financial losses, emotional distress, pain, and suffering.
Experience matters when you are fighting for compensation after a car accident. Our legal team at Allen Law Firm, P.A. includes current and former insurance claims managers and adjusters. Their unique knowledge of how insurance companies work is a considerable asset for our clients.
As top-rated Gainesville personal injury lawyers, we have earned members in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. American Institute of Personal Injury listed us among the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction, and we have an AV-Preeminent Rating from our peers through Martindale-Hubbell.
When you hire award-winning Gainesville car accident attorneys, you can expect us to:
- Gather evidence proving the other driver was at fault for the cause of your car crash
- Verify insurance coverage, file insurance claims, and handle the insurance company for you
- Work with highly-skilled expert witnesses as necessary to strengthen your case
- Document the extent of your damages to calculate how much your case is worth
- Aggressively represent your best interests and rights during settlement negotiations and at trial
You deserve to be compensated for your damages when a driver causes an accident because of negligence or an illegal U-turn. Call us to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced U-turn car accident lawyer in Gainesville, FL.
Are U-Turns Legal in Gainesville, Florida?
Florida traffic laws allow U-turns under specific circumstances. A driver can make a U-turn to travel in the opposite direction on a street if:
- There are signs prohibiting U-turns;
- The U-turn can be executed safely; and,
- The U-turn does not interfere with other vehicles or traffic.
Drivers who violate traffic laws governing U-turns can be charged with a moving violation. If they cause an accident while making a U-turn, they could also be liable for damages caused by the crash under Florida’s personal injury laws.
Who Is At Fault for a U-turn Accident in Gainesville?
In most cases, the driver at-fault for a U-turn accident is the driver who did not have the right of way. If a driver makes a U-turn on a stretch of road and an oncoming vehicle hits the car, the U-turn driver is likely at fault for failing to yield the right of way.
Most drivers have the right of way at a green light. However, the U-turn must be done safely. Therefore, if there is insufficient room to execute the U-turn or there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk, a driver could be at fault for an accident.
Determining the fault for a U-turn crash can be challenging. Different traffic laws could apply, in addition to the duty to make reasonable efforts to avoid accidents. Our legal team at Allen Law Firm, P.A. investigates the crash to identify each factor that contributed to the cause of the crash and who is responsible for those factors.
Compensation for a Gainesville U-turn Accident
If you prove the other driver caused your car crash because they executed an unsafe or illegal U-turn, you could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. The damages you receive depend on many factors, including your injuries from a U-turn accident.
The types of damages available in U-turn car accident cases include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Impairments and disfigurements
- A decrease in earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
After a U-turn car accident in Gainesville, call 911 to report the accident to the police. Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Then, call our office for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you with your claim.
What Happens if Both Drivers Are Responsible for Causing a U-Turn Accident in Florida?
Florida recently changed its contributory fault laws. The state now follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard with a 51% bar to recovery. So long as you weren’t mostly to blame for your accident, you can still recover damages.
However, your damages can be adjusted according to your percentage of shared responsibility. If you were 15% at fault, for instance, your damages can be reduced by 15%. Note that this does not apply to claims against your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy, only claims against the at-fault driver.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Gainesville U-turn Car Accident Lawyers
We are available 24/7 to discuss your case. Visit our office in Dowtown Gainesville or call us at (877) 255-3652 or contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. online to schedule a free case review with a Gainesville U-turn car accident attorney. Our legal team is here to help you as you try to get your life back together after a tragic car accident.
