Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont advocate on behalf of motorcycle accident victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a U-turn motorcycle accident in Fremont, our team of accident attorneys are here to get you the compensation you need to fully recover your damages. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Fremont?
U-turn accidents in California happen more often than you think. According to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation, U-turn accidents are one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States. This is due to how unexpected U-turns can be for a motorcyclist traveling at a high speed. Oftentimes, the U-turn is performed illegally, making the driver completely liable for the accident.
To prove liability in a U-turn motorcycle accident, it is recommended to partner with a personal injury attorney. The unfortunate reality of pursuing an injury claim without an attorney is that insurance companies will try to take advantage of injured motorcyclists. They will offer “low-ball” settlements, or even attempt to blame you for the accident. This is not how anyone involved in a horrific accident should be treated, but it is a sad truth of personal injury claims.
However, victims do not need to deal with the insurance companies alone. An attorney will speak to the insurance company on your behalf, as well as to other attorneys who may attempt to place blame for the accident on you. An attorney is there to protect you from undeserved liability and your right to compensation. With legal representation, an attorney can maximize your compensation by suing for the following:
- Medical expenses, including medical procedures, medical equipment, ambulance rides, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering, which covers the mental stress and trauma you’ve endured as a result of the accident
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
Illegal U-Turns are Covered By California Law
According to California Vehicle Code 22100.5, drivers are not allowed to make U-turns when approaching green light signals, and green arrow signals if there is no sign that prohibits a U-turn. The statute states:
“No driver shall make a U-turn at an intersection controlled by official traffic signals except as provided in Section 21451, and then only from the far lefthand lane that is lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel from which the turn is commenced. No driver shall make a U-turn at an intersection controlled by official traffic control devices except from the far lefthand lane that is lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel from which the turn is commenced.”
In the event of a driver causing your motorcycle accident by making an illegal U-turn, you will not have to prove the driver’s conduct was careless. Instead, you can prove Negligence Per Se, which means the driver broke the law, which directly caused your injuries. In this situation, you would be a person the law is meant to protect. The driver violated the law, putting you and others in harms way.
Illegal U-turns typically come with citations, which will make proving “Negligence Per Se” fairly easy in court if your lawsuit goes to trial. Proving Negligence Per Se is much easier than proving carelessness. Proving carelessness usually involves an investigation to obtain video footage or witness statements. Sometimes there is no available evidence and your case becomes one person’s word over another. For this reason, it is important to report your accident to law enforcement the moment it happens and speak with a reputable accident attorney.
When are U-Turns Illegal?
California Law addresses when U-turns can and cannot be made. While some places may seem like an accessible spot to make a U-turn, you might be violating the law if you attempt to change directions in these areas. U-turns are prohibited in the following spaces:
- Controlled intersections: drivers in California are not allowed to make U-turns at intersections with traffic control devices unless they do not have signs that prohibit them.
- Business districts: drivers going through business districts are not allowed to make U-turns at controlled intersections of business districts unless they do so from the left-most lane. This is covered in California Vehicle Code 22102.
- Residential districts: drivers may not make U-turns in residential districts unless vehicles that are approaching from the opposite direction are at least 200 feet away.
- Firestation driveways or parking lots: drivers may not use the driveways and parking lots of fire stations for the purpose of turning their vehicle around to drive in the opposite direction.
- Highways: To make a U-turn on a highway, you must have an unobstructed view before doing so. It is illegal for drivers to make U-turns on highways unless they can see for a minimum of 200 feet in both directions.
What is the Typical Settlement for U-Turn Motorcycle Accidents in California?
No two motorcycle accidents are the same, so there is a wide range of settlement amounts for step van accident cases. However, there are common factors for every case, which can indicate the amount of compensation you could receive. These factors include:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
In most cases, the more severe your injuries and the longer they impact your life, the greater your compensation will be.
Contact a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fremont
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, the Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont can help you obtain the compensation you need to get your life back. We know how traumatic and overwhelming a motorcycle accident can be, but our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will be here to support you every step of the way. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Fremont today for a free consultation and case evaluation today.