Making a U-turn on Atlanta’s busy roads may seem like a simple maneuver, but when executed carelessly or without proper judgment, it can lead to life-altering consequences. These types of accidents frequently involve high-speed collisions that result in significant injuries and complicated legal issues for those involved.
Although the driver making the U-turn is often at fault, insurance companies may try to shift blame by claiming you were speeding or could have avoided the crash. These tactics are designed to reduce their payout. An experienced Atlanta U-turn car accident attorney can push back against these arguments and build a strong case using clear, compelling evidence.
If you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who made an unsafe or illegal U-turn, you may have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
To discuss your case with a member of our legal team, contact Hasner Law today at 678-888-HURT (4878) and schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Atlanta U-turn Car Accident Guide
- How an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a U-turn Wreck
- Georgia Laws on U-turns: What Drivers Need to Know
- Most Common Causes of U-turn Accidents in Atlanta
- Severe Injuries Caused by U-turn Car Accidents
- What Damages Can You Recover After a U-turn Crash in Atlanta?
- How Georgia’s Comparative Fault Law Impacts U-turn Accident Claims
- Speak with an Atlanta U-turn Accident Lawyer Today
How an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a U-turn Wreck
If you were hit by a driver making a U-turn, the other driver may try to point the finger at you and their insurance company might work to reduce or deny your claim. At Hasner Law, our Atlanta car accident attorneys are ready to protect your rights and help you move forward with your case.
As soon as you hire our team, we take over the legal responsibilities so you can focus on healing. We begin with a detailed investigation to show how the other driver caused the crash. This goes beyond reviewing the police report.
We work to preserve important evidence before it disappears. That includes requesting nearby traffic camera footage, checking for security video from local businesses, and gathering photos of the scene.
We also examine data from the vehicles’ event recorders, which can show how fast the cars were going and whether the driver hit the brakes before the crash. If there were witnesses nearby, we locate and speak with them to learn what they saw, including the speed, position, and behavior of both vehicles.
In more complex cases, especially those involving higher speeds or poor visibility, we may bring in accident reconstruction experts to create a clear picture of what happened and why the U-turn driver was at fault.
Our legal team handles all communication with the insurance company, so you won’t be asked to give a recorded statement or feel pressured to accept a settlement that falls short of what your case is worth. With more than 80 years of combined experience, our attorneys know how to build a strong, evidence-based claim that clearly supports your position.
Georgia Laws on U-turns: What Drivers Need to Know
U-turns are not always against the law in Georgia, but there are clear rules about when and where they are allowed. A driver must make sure the turn can be done safely and without putting others in danger. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-121, a U-turn is legal only if it can be made without creating a hazard or interfering with other traffic.
This puts the full responsibility on the driver making the U-turn to watch for oncoming vehicles and make the turn only when it is safe. If a U-turn leads to a collision with a car that had the right-of-way, it can serve as strong evidence that the turning driver violated the law and acted negligently. Georgia law does not expect other drivers to anticipate unsafe or illegal maneuvers.
Atlanta Roads Where U-turns Are Illegal and Dangerous
Beyond general safety rules, Georgia law also bans U-turns in certain locations where visibility is limited or traffic conditions make the maneuver unsafe. It is illegal to make a U-turn in the following situations:
- On a Curve: Roads with curves, like parts of Piedmont Road, reduce a driver’s view of oncoming traffic, making it dangerous to turn around.
- Near the Top of a Hill: A driver cannot see vehicles coming from the other side, which increases the risk of a serious crash.
- Where a ‘No U-turn’ Sign Is Posted: Many intersections and busy roads in Atlanta, such as Peachtree Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue, have signs clearly banning U-turns.
If a driver makes a U-turn in any of these spots, they are breaking traffic laws. This type of violation can help support your case through a legal principle called negligence per se, which means the driver is considered at fault simply for violating the law.
Most Common Causes of U-turn Accidents in Atlanta
U-turn accidents usually happen because a driver makes a poor decision, becomes distracted, or takes an unnecessary risk. These crashes involve clear errors that place other people on the road in harm’s way.
Misjudging Speed and Distance
Many U-turn accidents happen when a driver sees a gap in traffic but misjudges how quickly other vehicles are approaching. Estimating speed and distance can be challenging, especially at night or in bad weather. Turning too early can put the driver directly in the path of an oncoming car, giving the other driver little time to slow down or avoid a crash.
Not Seeing Motorcycles or Small Vehicles
Motorcycles and other smaller vehicles are easier to miss, even when a driver is looking ahead. A driver may be scanning for larger vehicles and still fail to notice a motorcycle in plain sight, a phenomenon known as inattentional blindness. If a driver makes a U-turn without seeing a motorcyclist, the results can be severe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists face a higher risk of injury in crashes involving other vehicles.
Driving While Distracted
Safely making a U-turn requires a driver’s full attention to traffic, signage, and the surrounding environment. A driver who is focused on a phone or navigation system may miss an approaching vehicle or overlook a “No U-turn” sign. Even a momentary distraction can lead to a poor decision that results in a serious crash.
Impatient or Aggressive Behavior
In some situations, a driver may see an oncoming vehicle but still attempt the U-turn, hoping to complete it before the other car reaches the area. This kind of impatient or aggressive decision-making often results in a T-bone collision, one of the most dangerous types of crashes due to the angle and force of impact. Because these incidents unfold so quickly, neither driver typically has enough time to react or avoid the collision.
Severe Injuries Caused by U-turn Car Accidents
U-turn accidents often result in T-bone or side-impact collisions, which tend to cause particularly severe injuries. When the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, the occupants of the impacted vehicle are exposed to significant force with minimal protection.
Unlike the front or rear of a car, the sides offer only a thin door and window, which do little to absorb the energy of a collision involving thousands of pounds of force.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Side-impact crashes can cause the head to strike the window or door frame, leading to concussions or more serious brain injuries. These can affect memory, coordination, and other functions, sometimes with lasting or permanent effects.
- Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries: Broadside collisions may result in herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or spinal cord damage. Lateral whiplash is common and can cause serious impairment, including partial or full paralysis in severe cases.
- Chest and Torso Injuries: A direct hit to the side of the vehicle can break ribs, collapse lungs, or damage internal organs such as the liver or spleen. These injuries are often life-threatening and may require surgery.
- Pelvic and Hip Fractures: Impact at door level can transfer force to the hip and pelvis, causing complex fractures. These injuries often need surgery and long-term rehabilitation, with some resulting in chronic pain or reduced mobility.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars each year in medical care, lost productivity, legal expenses, and property damage. In serious U-turn accidents, victims may face extended hospital stays, missed time from work, and long-term medical costs, all of which can place a significant financial burden on individuals and families.
What Damages Can You Recover After a U-turn Crash in Atlanta?
If you were injured in a U-turn crash, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for the losses caused by the other driver’s negligence. These damages are meant to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially from the effects of the collision. Depending on the specifics of your case, your claim may include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers both current and future medical care, including emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Ability: If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, you may be able to recover lost income as well as future earnings if your ability to work has been affected.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, including both short-term and long-term effects.
- Emotional Distress: Serious crashes often lead to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other mental health challenges. These emotional harms may be included in your claim.
- Property Damage: If your vehicle was damaged or totaled in the crash, you may be compensated for repair or replacement costs.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Some injuries limit your ability to participate in daily activities, hobbies, or routines you once enjoyed. This type of loss can be considered in your case.
- Future Medical Costs: Long-term or permanent injuries may require extended medical care. These expected future costs can be factored into your claim to help you plan for ongoing treatment.
Calculating the full value of your damages requires a careful review of your medical records, employment history, and how the accident has impacted your daily life. Our legal team works with medical experts, financial professionals, and life care planners when needed to make sure your claim reflects the full extent of your losses.
How Georgia’s Comparative Fault Law Impacts U-turn Accident Claims
If you were injured in a U-turn crash, your ability to pursue compensation is shaped by specific Georgia laws. Insurance companies are familiar with these rules and often use them to limit what they pay. Working with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and avoid common legal pitfalls.
Deadline to File a U-turn Accident Claim in Georgia
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Missing it will likely prevent you from filing a lawsuit, regardless of how strong your case might be. Because U-turn accidents can involve detailed investigations and time-sensitive evidence, it’s important to speak with a lawyer as early as possible.
How Georgia’s Comparative Fault Rule Can Affect Your Recovery
Even if the other driver made an unsafe or illegal U-turn, their insurance company may still try to place part of the blame on you. Common arguments include claims that you were speeding, distracted, or failed to avoid the crash.
Georgia follows a modified comparative fault system, outlined in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This means you can recover compensation only if you are found to be less than 50% at fault.
If you share any portion of the blame, your total award will be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are found 10% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 10%. If your share of the fault reaches 50% or more, you are not allowed to recover anything at all.
A key role of your attorney is to present strong evidence that shows the other driver was fully responsible, pushing back against attempts to shift blame and limit your financial recovery.
Speak with an Atlanta U-turn Accident Lawyer Today
At Hasner Law, we understand the legal and practical challenges that come with U-turn accident cases. Our team has the experience, tools, and determination to investigate your crash, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you need. From start to finish, we are here to guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf.
When another driver makes a careless decision that puts you in danger, you should not be left to face the consequences alone. Call our Atlanta office at 678-888-HURT (4878) to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. We are ready to listen and help you take the next step forward.
Hasner Law: Atlanta Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
