U-turns can be convenient – but also risky. When they aren’t done properly, U-turns can easily cause an accident. Additionally, distracted drivers may not see a driver who is doing a proper and legal U-turn. 

These are just some of the factors that make determining fault in a U-turn accident somewhat complicated. If you were in an accident involving a U-turn, fault is not always clear-cut. 

Are U-Turns Legal In Indiana? 

In Indiana, a U-turn on a road is generally legal as long as it can be done safely, in compliance with other traffic laws, and as long as no signage prohibits the maneuver. 

That means that U-turns are illegal in the following circumstances:

• On the interstate or limited access highway
• When the U-turn would require you to cross double yellow lines
• Whenever there is a “No U-turn” sign at an intersection
• In unsafe circumstances, such as blind curves or very hilly areas

What About U-Turns In Residential Areas?

By reviewing the Indiana BMV’s driver’s manual, it is clear that U-turns in residential districts are legal under the same circumstances as any other U-turn. 

Taking all of this into consideration, after a U-turn accident, who is at fault? 

Who Is at Fault After a U-Turn Accident? 

One of the key responsibilities of a car accident attorney is to reconstruct the accident and determine who was at fault. After discovering who was primarily responsible for the accident, they have to make their case to the defendant’s attorneys and/or a jury and judge. 

To determine fault, your attorney will answer the following questions: 

• Who had the right of way at the intersection?
• Did any of the drivers violate traffic signals, traffic laws, or posted signage? 
• Did any of the drivers fail to exercise reasonable care? (Even a legal U-turn could cause an accident if it was not done carefully)
• Were any of the drivers speeding or distracted? 
• Were there any obstructions to visibility? 
• Did one or more drivers violate state law by making an illegal U-turn?

What if More Than One Party Is Responsible? 

Indiana is a “comparative negligence” state.

This means that there may be multiple parties considered at fault for an accident, and responsibility can be assigned accordingly. 

An accident victim has the right to sue another driver as long as their fault does not exceed 50%. If they were 30% responsible for the accident, then their settlement total or court award would likely be reduced by 30%. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Indiana? 

Indiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury accidents is 2 years. You have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, we don’t recommend waiting long, as it is easier to collect evidence and prove a case in the first weeks after the accident rather than in the months and years that follow. 

How to Prove Fault After a U-Turn Accident

When you have a car accident attorney on your side, it is much easier to identify and collect important evidence that proves who was at fault in a U-turn collision. 

This evidence may include:

• The initial police report
• Eyewitness testimony
• Video footage from dash cams, intersection cameras, or nearby security cameras
• Expert witness testimony and accident reconstruction
• Examination of physical evidence (skid marks, debris on the road, damage to the vehicles)

Additional Documentation You Need to Save From Your Accident

After an accident, you need to save every pertinent document you receive. Your attorney will be able to put together a compelling picture of your situation with as much evidence and detail as possible. 

You may be eligible to recover compensation for many different types of damage, including: 

• Lost wages from missed work
• Lost earning capacity if you had to leave your job
• Medical expenses
• Transportation costs to medical appointments
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitation services
• Pain and suffering
• Damaged relationships 
• Loss of consortium
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Permanent disability

Because of this, you should keep every document, receipt, and record related to your accident. That includes: 

• Medical records and bills
• Receipts for transportation
• Property damage estimates and receipts
• Documentation of lost wages 
• Communication with insurance companies 

Poynter & Bucheri – Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

At Poynter & Bucheri, we provide compassionate and knowledgeable support to victims of car accidents in Indianapolis and beyond. 

If you were injured in a U-turn accident, whether you were the driver making the U-turn or someone who was struck by a negligent driver mid-U-turn, we have the knowledge and experience to get you the compensation you deserve to cover the financial and non-economic losses you experienced. 

We work on a contingency basis, which means that there is zero risk in meeting with us to discuss your case. When you retain our services, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case for you, either in the form of a settlement or a court award. 

If we can’t win, you owe us nothing. But we are confident in our track record as one of the most successful law firms in Indianapolis. Determining fault in a U-turn accident can be complicated, but consulting with an experienced car accident attorney can help! 

Contact us for a free case review of your accident – 1-800-265-9881!