U-turn accidents in Missouri happen when drivers make illegal 180-degree turns or fail to complete legal U-turns safely. Missouri law prohibits U-turns at traffic-controlled intersections and requires drivers to ensure clear visibility of at least 300 feet in both directions before turning.
When accidents occur during U-turns, the turning driver is typically presumed at fault because the crash itself suggests the maneuver was unsafe.
These accidents often result in serious T-bone or head-on collisions that can cause severe injuries and significant property damage. If you’ve been hurt in a U-turn accident, understanding Missouri’s traffic laws, fault determination rules, and working with our experienced Missouri auto accident law firm is crucial.
What Are Missouri U-Turn Laws?
A U-turn is a driving maneuver where you turn your vehicle around to travel in the opposite direction on the same road. You make this turn to go back in the opposite direction on the same road.
RSMo 304.341 makes it illegal for drivers to make U-turns at intersections with traffic lights or where police officers direct traffic. Even when U-turns seem legal, you must make them safely without interfering with other cars.
The key rule is simple: if your U-turn causes an accident, you’re likely at fault. This is because the crash proves the turn wasn’t safe.
For a U-turn to be legal in Missouri, you must meet these requirements:
- Safety first: Your turn cannot put other drivers or walkers in danger
- Clear visibility: Other drivers must see your car from at least 300 feet away in both directions
- No interference: You cannot disrupt normal traffic flow
- Signal required: You must use your turn signal before making the U-turn
Where Are U-Turns Prohibited in Missouri?
Missouri law bans U-turns in many places to prevent crashes. Business districts are one major restricted area. A business district means any area with 300 feet or more of stores or offices in a row.
You don’t need to see a “No U-Turn” sign for the turn to be illegal. Drivers must know these rules to keep everyone safe.
U-turns are illegal in these locations:
- At any intersection with traffic lights
- Where police officers direct traffic
- In business districts
- On curves or hills where you can’t see 300 feet ahead
- Near railroad crossings
- Anywhere “No U-Turn” signs are posted
- On one-way streets
- When approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights
When making a U-turn in a neighborhood, you should only proceed if you have clear visibility in both directions and can do so safely. If you can’t see far enough in both directions, the U-turn is illegal.
Who Is At Fault in a U-Turn Crash?
The driver making the U-turn is usually at fault when an accident happens. This is because Missouri law puts the responsibility on you to make sure your turn is safe. If a crash occurs, it shows you didn’t complete this duty properly.
However, fault isn’t always 100% on one person. The other driver’s actions matter too. If they were speeding, texting, or ran a red light, they might share some blame.
Missouri uses “comparative fault” rules. This means both drivers can be partially responsible for the same crash. We’ll explain exactly how this affects your compensation later in this article.
How U-Turn Accidents Happen
Most U-turn crashes happen because drivers misjudge the time and space they need. They think they have enough room when they don’t. This single mistake can cause a serious collision.
The most common causes include:
- Misjudging gaps: You think the space between cars is bigger than it really is
- Blind spots: Large trucks or buses hide oncoming cars from your view
- Illegal turns: Making U-turns where they’re not allowed increases crash risk
- No signal: Other drivers can’t prepare when you don’t signal your intentions
- Distracted driving: Texting or phone calls take your attention away from checking traffic
- Wide turns: Swinging too far into other lanes creates more danger
Bad weather makes these problems worse. Rain, snow, or fog reduces visibility and makes it harder to judge distances safely.
Common U-Turn Car Accident Injuries
U-turn accidents often cause T-bone or head-on collisions. These crashes are dangerous because they hit the side or front of your car where there’s less protection. The impact force concentrates on a small area, causing severe injuries.
Even at low speeds, the angle of impact can seriously hurt you. Common injuries from U-turn crashes include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries from sudden jerking motions
- Broken bones in arms, legs, and ribs from side impacts
- Head injuries and concussions when your head hits something inside the car
- Spinal cord damage that can cause paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Deep cuts from broken glass and metal
- Emotional trauma like anxiety or fear of driving
Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. That’s why you need medical attention even if you feel okay after the crash.
What Should You Do After a U-Turn Accident?
Your actions right after a U-turn crash can protect your health and strengthen your legal claim. Stay calm and focus on these important steps.
Call 911 And Get Medical Care
Call 911 immediately to report the accident and get medical help. Some serious injuries like internal bleeding don’t cause pain right away. A doctor needs to check you even if you feel fine.
Don’t refuse the ambulance if paramedics recommend it. Insurance companies often use refusal of medical care to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
Photograph Signs, Lanes, And Debris
Take pictures of everything if you can safely do so. Focus on “No U-Turn” signs, lane markings, vehicle damage, and debris on the road. These photos prove how the crash happened and who broke traffic laws.
Take wide shots showing the whole intersection, then close-ups of important details. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case becomes.
Save Dashcam And Request Camera Footage
Preserve any video evidence immediately. If your car has a dashcam, save that footage right away. Look for nearby businesses or homes with security cameras that might have recorded the accident.
Ask store managers or homeowners for copies of their camera footage. This evidence often gets deleted within days, so act quickly.
Identify Witnesses And Plate Numbers
Talk to anyone who saw the crash happen. Independent witnesses provide unbiased accounts of what occurred. Get their names, phone numbers, and a brief statement about what they observed.
If the other driver seems impaired or aggressive, write down their license plate number and description. This information helps police and your attorney investigate the case.
Avoid Statements About Fault
Be careful what you say to everyone involved. Don’t say “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you” because these can be twisted into admissions of guilt. Stick to basic facts about what happened.
When talking to insurance companies, only provide necessary information. Let your attorney handle detailed discussions about fault and damages.
How We Prove an Unsafe or Illegal U-Turn
Building a strong case requires the right evidence and investigation methods. Our award-winning car accident lawyers in St. Louis use several approaches to prove the other driver was at fault.
Statutes, Ordinances, And Signs
We start by showing the driver broke specific traffic laws. If they made a U-turn at a traffic light or in a business district, we can prove they violated Missouri statutes. Photos of “No U-Turn” signs provide clear evidence of illegal behavior.
Breaking traffic laws designed to protect other drivers establishes negligence per se. This means the law violation itself proves the driver was negligent.
Signal Timing And EDR Data
We can get technical data to prove exactly what happened. Traffic signal timing records from the city show who had the right of way. We can also download information from the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder, which tracks speed, braking, and steering before crashes.
This “black box” data often contradicts what the other driver claims happened. It provides objective proof of their actions leading up to the collision.
Video, Photos, And Witness Accounts
Visual evidence and witness testimony often provide the strongest proof. We work to secure surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras that recorded the crash.
We also interview witnesses to get detailed accounts of what they saw. Independent witnesses carry more weight than statements from people involved in the accident.
Do J-Turns And ThrU Turns Affect Safety And Fault?
Missouri has created special intersection designs called J-turns and ThrU Turns to reduce accidents. These designs eliminate dangerous left turns and U-turns at busy intersections.
A J-turn forces you to turn right onto the main road, then use a designated U-turn area to go your intended direction. A ThrU Turn works similarly in urban areas with heavy traffic.
These designs prevent many T-bone crashes by keeping cars from crossing high-speed traffic lanes directly. However, drivers can still be at fault if they use these intersections improperly.
You can be held liable if you make an improper U-turn outside the designated area, fail to yield when merging, or ignore traffic signals at these intersections.
Missouri Auto Accident Law… It’s All We Do
Time matters after a U-Turn accident. While Missouri gives you five years to file a lawsuit, important evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses move away, security footage gets erased, and memories fade.
We are Missouri’s only law firm that focuses exclusively on auto accident cases. This specialization gives us deep knowledge of how insurance companies handle U-turn accident claims. With decades of experience, we have helped countless injured clients secure the compensation they deserve.
Getting an attorney involved early protects your rights and strengthens your case. We serve clients throughout Missouri, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, and surrounding communities.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and explain your legal options with no obligation.
FAQ
Are U-Turns Legal in Missouri Residential Areas?
U-turns may be permitted in residential neighborhoods in Missouri, but you should only attempt them if you have clear visibility in both directions and can make the turn safely without disrupting other traffic. You must still signal and yield to oncoming vehicles.
Can I Make a U-Turn at a Green Traffic Light in Missouri?
No, U-turns are illegal at any intersection controlled by traffic signals in Missouri, regardless of the light color or whether you see a “No U-Turn” sign.
Will a U-Turn Traffic Ticket Make Me Automatically Liable for an Accident?
While a traffic ticket can be important evidence of fault, it does not by itself determine the outcome of a civil case, as the actions of all drivers involved are taken into account.
Can I Still Get Compensation if I Hit Someone Making an Illegal U-Turn?
Yes, under Missouri’s comparative fault system, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
Do J-Turn and ThrU Turn Intersections Change U-Turn Laws?
The designated U-turn areas at J-turn and ThrU Turn intersections are legal turning points, but you must still follow all safety rules including yielding and signaling.
What is Missouri Statute 304.015 and How Does it Apply to U-Turn Accidents?
This law governs safe lane changes and staying in your lane, which often applies to U-turn accidents since the maneuver typically involves crossing multiple traffic lanes.
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