If you have been injured in an accident and someone had made an illegal U-turn in front of you, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. The best thing that you can do to help yourself after being injured in a U-turn car accident in New Jersey is to contact us right away as we will only offer you advice that is in your best interest.
About U-Turns in New Jersey
A U-turn is one of the most dangerous maneuvers that a driver can make. U-turns might be made from the side of a road, on a straight road, or even in an intersection with traffic control devices.
Recently, the New Jersey Herald reported that a 52-year-old Newark, NJ tractor-trailer driver was attempting to make a U-turn on State Route 206 near its intersection with Halsey Road when he struck and killed a 25-year-old motorcyclist. U-turns in New Jersey aren’t necessarily illegal, but New Jersey Annotated Statute 39:4-125 doesn’t allow U-turns if they’re prohibited by a sign. You must also be able to see 500 feet in front of you or behind you. The truck driver was ticketed for careless driving and making an improper U-turn.
The 500 Foot Rule in NJ
You want other vehicles to see you before you begin executing a U-turn. Making a U-turn is dangerous with less than 500 feet of visibility, especially in an area with a curve or a hill where drivers ahead of you or behind you simply can’t see you.
Types of U-Turn Accidents in NJ
Even if a driver is making a U-turn in an area where he or she is permitted to do so, the driver must still use due care and caution for the safety of others who are on or about the roadway. Here are some examples of the possible consequences of unsafe U-turns:
- Colliding with an oncoming vehicle.
- Colliding with a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- Causing a multiple vehicle pile-up.
- Striking a motorcycle or bicycle.
TIP: If you were in an accident, make sure you get a copy of your NJSP accident report or other police report.
Who is at Fault in a U-Turn Accident in NJ?
The driver who was trying to make the U-turn is usually considered to be at fault for an accident in New Jersey. Here are four reasons why:
- The turning driver had limited visibility when making a wide turn.
- Their vehicle might not be highly visible to oncoming motorists at night or in adverse topographic or weather conditions.
- The turning driver might block a lane of traffic to make that U-turn.
- U-turns generally take longer to make than left or right turns.
Regardless of the fact that the driver making the U-turn pulled out in front of you, it is recommended that you contact us before giving any type of written or recorded statement to the opposing insurance company. New Jersey law doesn’t require you to do that. The opposing insurer will probably try to shift some or all of the blame over to you. Your own words will only be used against you in the future in attempts to attack your credibility and devalue or otherwise damage your case.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer
Rather than talking with the opposing insurer, you can Contact us to arrange for a free and confidential case consultation and evaluation. We’ll listen to you carefully, assess the facts of the case, and advise you of your legal options. You don’t even need to pay us any money in advance in order to retain us either. Since we take these cases on a contingency fee basis, no legal fees even need to be paid unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you.