Have you been injured in a U-turn car accident in St. Petersburg, FL? You may be eligible for compensation. The St. Petersburg U-turn car accident lawyers at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to assist you.
U-turn accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida, can cause significant physical injuries, emotional stress, and financial burdens, including property damage, medical expenses, and lost income. It’s especially frustrating when the accident could have been avoided if not for another driver’s negligence.
Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 314-5988 for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg U-turn car accident attorney to discuss your case and explore the next steps.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a U-Turn Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL
Florida laws require drivers to practice caution when making U-turns. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore these cautions, resulting in U-turn car crashes in St. Petersburg, FL, and throughout the state.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we have nearly 120 years of collective experience in successfully handling personal injury cases for injured victims. We stop at nothing to help our clients get the justice and financial awards they need to recover and get their lives back on track.
If you choose our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers to represent you in your car accident case, you can expect that we will:
- Conduct an investigation into the accident
- Review evidence from police reports, medical records, and footage from the accident site
- Identify eyewitnesses and contact them for statements
- Consult with experts who can testify on your behalf
- Stand up to the insurance companies so they don’t try to take advantage of you with a lowball offer
- Take your case to court if necessary
Our St. Petersburg, Florida firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we’re able to secure a financial award on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about how our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers can help.
What Are Florida’s U-Turn Laws?
In St. Petersburg, drivers are permitted to make U-turns anywhere they aren’t explicitly prohibited. However, they must exercise caution while doing so, including yielding to oncoming traffic and ensuring the turn can be safely executed.
Drivers are also expected to stay in the appropriate lane and make sure there is sufficient time to complete the turn, even where U-turns are allowed.
If drivers cause an accident while making a U-turn, they may be held responsible for any resulting damages. This is because those making U-turns must not interfere with other vehicles, as the rest of the traffic has the right of way.
What Are the Causes of U-Turn Car Accidents?
U-turns are inherently risky because they require drivers to cross multiple lanes of traffic. These turns can often fail when the vehicle is unable to make a sharp enough turn, leading to collisions with oncoming traffic.
Other common reasons for U-turn accidents include:
- Turning into the wrong lane
- Performing the turn in an area where it is prohibited
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to yield
- Adverse weather conditions
Poor visibility caused by heavy rain, fog, or other weather issues can also increase the likelihood of an accident. Additionally, driver errors related to drug or alcohol impairment are often contributing factors.
What Injuries Are Caused by U-Turn Car Crashes?
More than 200,000 individuals are injured each year on Florida roads. These incidents often result in severe physical, emotional, and financial burdens for the victims.
Common injuries from car accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Bruises and lacerations
- Whiplash
- Damage to internal organs
- Severe head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a U-turn car crash, a personal injury lawyer can assist you. Reach out to Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers today to discuss your case.
Liability in U-Turn Accidents
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that after an accident, you typically file a claim with your own insurance provider. Florida law mandates that all drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers medical expenses regardless of fault.
However, if your damages surpass your PIP coverage limits, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the driver at fault. To recover compensation in such a case, you must establish that the other driver acted negligently.
Determining fault in a U-turn accident can be complicated. Various factors need to be assessed to identify liability. The driver making the U-turn may be at fault if they were reckless, made the turn in a prohibited zone, or were otherwise engaging in unsafe behavior.
On the other hand, the driver not performing the U-turn may also bear partial responsibility if they were speeding, ran a traffic signal, or were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation is based on the percentage of fault assigned to each driver. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you determine how liability should be divided in your case.
Contact a St. Petersburg U-Turn Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a U-turn car accident in St. Petersburg, FL, reach out to Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for assistance. Our legal team is highly experienced in personal injury law and understands how to effectively navigate the courts and the legal system. You can trust that your case will be handled with skill and expertise.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg U-turn car accident lawyer. With our contingency fee arrangement, you won’t pay any fees unless we secure a win for you, so don’t hesitate to call.