St. Louis U-Turn Accident Attorney

U-Turn Laws in St. Louis, Missouri

A 180-degree U-turn lets you go back in the opposite direction. Missouri Revised Statute 304.341 says you cannot make U-turns at traffic lights or where police officers direct traffic.

Even when U-turns seem legal, you must complete them safely without blocking other cars. If your U-turn causes a crash, you’re almost always at fault because the accident proves the turn wasn’t safe.

Missouri law requires several things for a legal U-turn:

• Safety first: You cannot put other drivers or walkers in danger
• Clear sight: Ensure you have a clear view in both directions before attempting a U-turn
• No blocking: You cannot stop normal traffic flow
• Signal needed: You must use your turn signal before turning

St. Louis has stricter rules than the rest of Missouri. St. Louis Ordinance 1205.040 completely bans U-turns in the downtown central traffic district. This means you cannot make any U-turns in the busiest part of the city, even if there’s no sign.

The law puts the burden on you to prove your U-turn was safe. If someone hits you during your U-turn, you, or your St. Louis U-turn accident lawyer need to show you followed all the rules and the other driver was at fault.

Where Are U-Turns Prohibited In Missouri?

Missouri bans U-turns in many places to prevent crashes. Business districts are areas with stores or offices for at least 300 feet in a row. You don’t need to see a No U-Turn sign for the turn to be illegal in these areas.

U-turns are forbidden at these locations:

• Any intersection with traffic lights
• Where police officers direct traffic
• All business districts
• Curves or hills where visibility of oncoming traffic is limited
• Near railroad crossings
• Anywhere with No U-Turn signs posted
• On one-way streets
• When emergency vehicles have flashing lights nearby

Even in neighborhoods, you need clear visibility in both directions before making a U-turn. The 300-foot rule means other drivers must be able to see your car from far away. If there’s a hill, curve, or parked cars blocking the view, your U-turn becomes illegal.

Many drivers don’t realize how many places ban U-turns. The safest approach is to find a parking lot or driveway to turn around instead of risking an illegal U-turn on the street.

Who Is At Fault In A U-Turn Accident?

The driver making the U-turn is usually at fault in these crashes. Missouri law says you must make sure your turn is completely safe before you start. If a collision happens, it shows you didn’t meet this legal duty.

But fault isn’t always 100% on one person. Missouri uses pure comparative fault, which means both drivers can share blame. The other driver might be partly responsible if they were speeding, texting, or broke traffic laws too.

For example, if you make an illegal U-turn but the other driver was drunk, you might be 70% at fault and they might be 30% at fault. This affects how much money you can recover for your injuries.

Insurance companies will try to put all the blame on the person making the U-turn. Our award-winning St. Louis car accident lawyers know how to fight back and show when the other driver also made mistakes that caused the crash.

How Do U-Turn Accidents Happen?

The biggest problem is drivers misjudging gaps in traffic. You think you have enough time and space to turn, but you don’t. This mistake happens because cars approach faster than they appear, especially on busy St. Louis streets.

Common causes of U-turn crashes include:

• Wrong gap judgment: You think oncoming cars are farther away than they really are
• Hidden cars: Big trucks or buses block your view of smaller cars coming up behind them
• Illegal spots: Making U-turns at traffic lights or in business areas where they’re banned
• No warning: Not using your turn signal leaves other drivers with no time to react
• Phone distractions: Looking at your phone instead of watching for traffic
• Wide swings: Turning too far into other lanes puts more cars at risk

Weather makes these problems worse. Rain and fog reduce visibility, and wet roads increase stopping distances. What looks like a safe gap in good weather becomes dangerous when conditions are poor.

Many U-turn accidents happen because drivers are in a hurry or unfamiliar with the area. They make quick decisions without fully checking traffic in both directions.

What Injuries Are Common In U-Turn Crashes?

U-turn accidents create T-bone and head-on collisions. These crashes are dangerous because they hit the sides or front of your car where there’s less protection. The impact force concentrates on a small area, causing severe damage.

You might suffer these injuries:

• Whiplash and neck damage from violent head snapping
• Broken bones in arms, legs, ribs, and hips
• Head injuries and concussions from hitting windows or dashboards
• Spinal cord damage that can cause paralysis
• Internal bleeding you can’t see or feel right away
• Deep cuts from broken glass and twisted metal
• Emotional trauma like fear of driving again

Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Internal bleeding or brain injuries can worsen over hours or days. This is why you need medical attention right away, even if you feel okay at first.

The side-impact nature of many U-turn crashes puts passengers at high risk too. The person sitting on the impact side often suffers the worst injuries because there’s less metal and safety equipment protecting them.

What Should You Do After A U-Turn Accident?

Your actions right after a U-turn crash protect your health and legal rights. Stay calm and focus on these important steps that can make or break your case later.

Call 911 And Get Medical Care

Call 911 immediately to report the crash and get medical help. Don’t try to move seriously injured people unless they’re in immediate danger from fire or traffic.

Accept medical treatment at the scene. Some dangerous conditions like internal bleeding don’t cause pain right away. If you refuse the ambulance, insurance companies will argue your injuries aren’t serious.

Photograph Signs, Lanes, And Debris

Take pictures of everything if you can do it safely. Focus on No U-Turn signs, lane markings, traffic lights, and vehicle damage. Get wide shots of the whole intersection, then close-ups of important details.

Photograph skid marks, debris, and where the cars ended up. This evidence shows how the crash happened and proves who broke traffic laws. Take pictures before tow trucks move the vehicles.

Save Dashcam And Request Camera Footage

Preserve video evidence right away. If you have a dashcam, save that footage immediately. Look around for businesses, homes, or traffic cameras that might have recorded the crash.

Ask store managers or homeowners for copies of their security footage. Most places delete recordings within a few days to save storage space. Acting fast is crucial because this evidence disappears quickly.

Identify Witnesses And Plate Numbers

Talk to anyone who saw the accident happen. Get their names, phone numbers, and a brief description of what they observed. Independent witnesses are valuable because they have no reason to lie.

Write down the other driver’s license plate number and description. If they seem drunk, angry, or try to leave, this information becomes critical evidence.

Avoid Statements About Fault

Be very careful what you say to everyone involved. Don’t say I am sorry or I did not see you because insurance companies use these as admissions of guilt.

Stick to basic facts when talking to police and insurance adjusters. Let your attorney handle detailed discussions about who caused the crash and why.

How Do We Prove An Unsafe Or Illegal U-Turn?

Building a strong case requires the right evidence and investigation methods. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we use proven strategies to show the other driver was negligent and caused your crash.

Statutes, Ordinances, And Signs

We start by proving the driver broke specific traffic laws. If they made a U-turn at a traffic light, we show they violated Missouri statutes. Photos of No U-Turn signs provide clear proof of illegal behavior.

Breaking traffic laws designed to protect people establishes negligence per se.

Signal Timing And EDR Data

We get technical data that shows exactly what happened. Traffic signal timing records from the city prove who had the right of way when the crash occurred.

We download information from the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder, which is like a car’s black box. This device records EDR data such as speed, braking, and steering just before crashes. The data often proves drivers lied about what they were doing.

Video, Photos, And Witness Accounts

Visual evidence and witness statements provide the strongest proof. We work fast to get surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras before it gets erased.

We interview independent witnesses who saw the crash. Their accounts carry more weight than statements from people involved in the accident because they have no reason to be biased.

What Compensation Can You Recover After A U-Turn Crash?

U-turn accidents can leave you with serious injuries and overwhelming bills. When another driver’s negligence causes your crash, you can recover several types of damages to cover your losses.

Your compensation falls into three categories of damages:

• Economic damages: Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and future medical care
• Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment
• Punitive damages: Extra money to punish extremely reckless drivers (rare cases only)

We calculate your total damages by reviewing your medical records, pay stubs, and repair estimates. We also consider how the injuries affect your daily life, relationships, and ability to work.

Economic damages are easier to prove because they have specific dollar amounts. Non-economic damages require more work to establish, but they’re often worth more than your medical bills.

We fight for compensation that covers both your current losses and future needs. If your injuries require ongoing treatment or prevent you from working, we make sure those costs are included.

How Long Do You Have To File A U-Turn Accident Claim?

Missouri provides the five-year filing window from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This seems like plenty of time, but you shouldn’t wait to take action.

Some situations have shorter deadlines. Claims against government entities for dangerous roads might require action within months, not years. Insurance policies often demand notification within days or weeks of the crash.

What If You Were Partly At Fault?

Missouri’s pure comparative fault system lets you recover compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. Your total compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but you don’t lose everything.

Here’s how it works: If your damages total 100k damages and fault and you’re 10% at fault, you can still recover $90,000. Even if you’re 70% at fault, you can still recover $30,000 under the 70-30 fault split.

Insurance companies will try to shift as much blame as possible onto you to reduce their payout. We know their tactics and fight back to minimize any fault assigned to you.

Dont Wait – Contact Our Auto Accident Attorneys in St. Louis Today

At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers we handle everything so you can focus on healing:

• Investigation: We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts
• Insurance battles: We deal with adjusters so they can’t twist your words
• Medical bills: We coordinate with providers and negotiate liens
• Court preparation: We’re ready for trial if insurance companies won’t pay fairly

As a family firm, we treat every client personally. You won’t get passed off to different people or feel like just another case number.

Our consultations are always free, and we only get paid if we win your case. Contact us today to get started.

FAQ

Can I Make A U-Turn At A Green Light In St. Louis?

No, U-turns are illegal at any intersection with traffic signals in Missouri, including St. Louis, regardless of the light color.

Are U-Turns Allowed In Residential Neighborhoods In Missouri?

U-turns may be legal in neighborhoods if you can make the turn safely with clear visibility for at least 300 feet in both directions.

Will Getting A Ticket Automatically Make Me At Fault For The Accident?

A traffic ticket is strong evidence of fault, but it doesn’t automatically determine who’s responsible in a personal injury claim.

Can I Still Get Money If I Hit Someone Making An Illegal U-Turn?

Yes, Missouri’s comparative fault system allows you to recover damages even if you’re partially responsible for the accident.

How Long Do St. Louis Area Businesses Keep Security Camera Footage?

Most businesses delete security footage within a few days to a month, so you need to act quickly to preserve this evidence.

Does Missouri Follow No-Fault Insurance Laws?

No, Missouri is an at-fault state where the person who caused the accident pays for damages using pure comparative negligence rules.