U-Turn Accident: Who’s At Fault In Michigan?

In Michigan, when determining who’s at fault for a U-turn accident, drivers making the turnaround maneuver are usually considered responsible when a crash occurs, as they are legally required to yield to oncoming traffic. Fault can be shared if the other driver contributed through actions like speeding, ignoring traffic signals, or unsafe lane changes. Determining responsibility depends on a full investigation of all the circumstances. Many cities, townships, and villages have laws and local ordinances prohibiting or restricting U-turns.

Our state law does not specifically make U-turns illegal. That said, drivers should still try to avoid using this turnaround maneruver because they are one of the most dangerous things a driver can do when operating a motor vehicle.

It is very common for a U-turn crash to occur because the turning driver failed to accurately estimate the time, distance and speed of oncoming traffic before making his or her turn.

Another reason why this turnaround maneuver is so dangerous and cause so many automobile crashes is because the vehicles traveling in the same direction as the driver making the U-turn will not be expecting it. Often the vehicle behind the car making a U-turn is not able to safely reduce their speed to safely accommodate the U-turning driver.

Does Michigan law say who’s at fault for a U-turn accident?

In Michigan, who’s at fault in a U-turn accident is generally determined by who violated traffic laws and failed to yield the right of way. Drivers executing a turnaround must do so safely and legally; unsafe or illegal turnarounds—like on curves, hills, or prohibited intersections—typically make the driver at fault. However, our state’s comparative negligence rules mean fault can be shared if the other driver’s actions contributed to the crash. Each crash is evaluated based on the circumstances, traffic laws, and evidence at the scene.

Keep in mind that more than one party can be at-fault, however, and if the car that strikes the vehicle is speeding or otherwise not paying attention and driving carelessly, then another driver can also be found simultaneously at fault for a U-turn crash.

How is it determined who’s at fault in a U-turn accident in Michigan?

In Michigan, determining who’s at fault in a U-turn accident is done by evaluating the actions of all drivers involved and whether traffic laws were followed. Police reports, witness statements, and other evidence are used to assess each driver’s level of responsibility. Key factors that determine liability include:

• Right-of-way: The driver performing the turnaround maneuver must yield to oncoming traffic and ensure the path is clear. State law requires that a turn to proceed in the opposite direction can only be made safely and without interfering with other traffic.
• Safety of the turn: Fault may arise if the turnaround maneuver was unsafe, such as in a tight area, against a “no U-turn” sign, or in a way that blocked traffic.
• Negligence of the other driver: The other driver may share fault if they were speeding, running a red light or stop sign, failing to signal a lane change, driving recklessly, distracted, or impaired.
• Evidence: Police reports, witness accounts, and other documentation help determine how the crash occurred and which driver(s) were negligent.

Why is it important to know who’s at fault for a U-turn accident in Michigan?

In Michigan, Ii’s important to know who’s at fault for a U-turn accident in because reponsiblity determines both insurance coverage and legal rights after a crash. Our state’s no-fault system covers your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, but recovering pain and suffering or other non-economic damages requires a third-party claim against the at-fault driver. Additionally, knowing fault affects how damages are calculated under our state’s comparative negligence rules, which can reduce or eliminate recovery if you are partially responsible. Fault also influences who is responsible for property damage and can impact negotiations with insurance companies.

How do Michigan’s comparative fault laws impact who’s at fault for a U-turn accident?

In Michigan, comparative fault laws (also called modified comparative negligence) can impact who’s considered responsible for a U-turn accident by allowing responsibility to be divided between drivers based on their respective actions. Even if the driver making performing this turnaround maneuver is primarily responsible for causing the crash, the other driver can be assigned a percentage of responsibility if they were also negligent—for example, by speeding, running a red light, or driving distracted. Our state follows a “51% rule,” meaning a driver cannot recover damages if they are more than 50% at fault for the accident. In practice, this means that damages can be reduced proportionally according to each driver’s share of fault.

Can a moving violation determine who’s at fault for a U-turn accident in Michigan?

A driver who has committed a moving violation is likely the party who’s also at fault for a U-turn accident because moving violations can be considered evidence of negligence under Michigan law. Additional moving violations when a driver is making a U-turn may include reckless or careless driving, impeding traffic, not turning safely and failure to yield the right of way.

Does state law prohibit U-turns?

State law does not specifically prohibit this turnaround maneuver and, thus, they are technically legal – even though they are very dangerous. However, cities, villages and townships that have adopted Rule 434 of the Uniform Traffic Code may pass laws that prohibit or restrict drivers’ use of U-turns.

Can I recover compensation if I was injured in a U-turn crash?

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident during a U-turn in Michigan, then you may be able to recover pain and suffering compensation from the driver who’s at fault if you meet our state’s serious impairment of body function threshold. You may also be able to recover No-Fault benefits to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.

Does Michigan law say who’s at fault for an illegal U-turn accident?

Generally, the person who’s at fault for an illegal U-turn accident is the driver who performed the U-turn: (1) unsafely; (2) while committing a moving violation under the Michigan Vehicle Code; and/or (3) while violating a city/township/village ordinance prohibiting or restricting U turns.

In Michigan, does a pain and suffering compensation claim depend on who’s at-fault for causing the U-turn accident?

Yes. You must always prove who caused the crash (i.e., who is negligent) in any lawsuit in Michigan or in any other state, and that certainly includes a U-turn crash. In our state, in order to be able to recover pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, you also must show that your injuries from the car crash have caused you to suffer a “serious impairment of body function.”

No-Fault benefits do not depend on who’s responsible for causing the automobile crash

Your legal rights to recover auto No-Fault insurance benefits, however, do not depend on who’s at fault for a U-turn accident. Michigan law ensures that auto accident victims receive No-Fault PIP benefits to cover medical bills and lost wages “without regard to fault.” (MCL 500.3105(2))

To protect your right to recover No-Fault benefits after an automobile crash, you must file an application for No-Fault benefits – which is also called a “written notice of injury” – with the responsible auto insurance company within one (1) year after the crash. (MCL 500.3145(1) and (4))

Generally, the insurance company that is responsible for paying your No-Fault benefits will be your insurer or the insurer of your spouse or a relative living in your home. If no coverage is available through those sources, then you will need to apply for No-Fault benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

If you do not file your application on time, then the auto insurance company will use this to deny your No-Fault PIP claim and refuse to pay any and all of the No-Fault benefits you would have otherwise been entitled to.

What are the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit?

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit after a crash depends on the type of claim:

• Personal injury claims: You generally have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
• Property damage claims: Typically, you have 3 years from the date of the crash to pursue damages.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: Must be filed within 3 years from the date of the deceased person’s death.
• Claims against a government entity: Often have a shorter deadline, typically 6 months, so prompt action is required.

If a lawsuit is filed after the statute of limitations has expired, the court will usually dismiss the case, and the right to recover damages may be lost.

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If you’ve been injured in a crash, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference. Our law firm specializes exclusively in motor vehicle crash cases, giving clients decades of experience navigating the state’s complex no-fault system and auto crash litigation.

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In short, our attorneys specialized expertise, proven results, and exceptional client care, ensuring you have skilled advocates fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Questions about who’s at fault after being injured in a U-turn accident? Call the auto accident attorneys at Michigan Auto Law

If you are injured in a U-turn crash in Michigan and have question on who’s at-fault and how that impacts your case, call now (888) 818-3775 for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

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