Do you remember your road test for your driver’s license? You might have needed to study the Pennsylvania driver’s manual and master the art of parallel parking. Despite the nervous anxiety, most prospective drivers pass the test the first time around.
Every time a driver gets behind the wheel of a car, they are expected to follow all of the rules contained in the lawbooks, most, if not all, of which are also included in the driver’s manual. There would be a lot less accidents if that happened.
Those rules address whether you can make a U-turn in Philadelphia.
The Official U-Turn Rule
Here is the official U-turn rule provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles:
“U-turns are permitted only if they can be made without endangering other traffic. In choosing a place to make a U-turn, make sure drivers coming from all directions are at least 500 feet away from you and they can see you clearly. U-turns are not allowed on curves or when you are approaching or nearing the crest of a hill.”
It is important to note that 500 feet is close to the length of two football fields. Even though you give yourself that much space, you must always be alert for approaching cars.
Those drivers need to be made aware of your intentions. They could accelerate to avoid a red light.
The exception to the above U-turn rule is when locations are marked with a “no U-turn” sign. Additionally, you cannot make a U-turn on a divided highway with a curb or two sets of double yellow lines.
Breaking the Rules Means Points On Your Record
The day you are approved for a driver’s license, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will start a record containing your future driving record. Any time a driver is found guilty of a moving violation, they will be assigned points. The more points added to your record, the more penalties can be handed down.
For instance, a driver who accumulates six points has to take a written point exam.
If they ignore the notification or fail the exam, their driver’s license can be suspended until they pass. The good news is that passing the test automatically removes two points from your record.
Being found guilty of making an illegal U-turn will mean three points on your record. Three points are removed from your driving record every twelve months.
Types of U-Turn Accidents
U-turns often occur at intersections, and this is where nearly half of all accidents occur, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The following are some of the common types of accidents associated with making a U-turn:
Sideswipe Accidents
A U-turn involves a sharp turn. The driver making the turn needs to stay in the lane. A slight miscalculation can cause them to sideswipe a car approaching from the same direction they are now headed.
Rear-End Collisions
A driver who misjudges how much space is needed to complete the U-turn could find themselves backing up. That can cause a rear-end collision with an approaching car.
Although most rear-end accidents are the fault of the driver colliding from the rear, the person making the U-turn could be held accountable in this scenario.
T-Bone Crashes
Making a U-turn means being aware of approaching traffic from multiple directions.
Once the driver has completed the turn arc, they could be surprised by a car crossing through the intersection and hitting them in a T-bone accident.
Head-On Collisions
Another misjudgment of approaching traffic can result in a head-on collision, especially if the U-turn is made on a narrow road.
Pedestrian Accidents
When drivers execute a U-turn, they focus on the cars and complete the turn. As with the approaching vehicle, a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk will not know the driver’s intentions.
That can lead to an accident with the pedestrian, especially in an area like downtown Philadelphia, where many individuals who frequent the area travel by foot.
Establishing Liability When a U-Turn Crash Happens
As with many serious motor vehicle accidents, our Philadelphia car wreck attorneys often find that a U-turn crash can happen in an instant and from a simple but devastating miscalculation.
If you find yourself the victim of this type of accident, you should have the police prepare a report documenting the incident. This could potentially be an invaluable piece of evidence to show that a turning motorist was liable for any injuries you suffered.
Thus, you should definitely bring any such report to your first consultation with Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco.
We are a team of experienced lawyers with a track record of success in helping our clients secure fair compensation for their losses due to an accident. We would be happy to discuss what happened to you and advise you about the next steps during a free initial consultation.
Call to schedule that meeting today.
