Are U-Turns Legal in Texas?
Sometimes drivers need to turn around quickly or unexpectedly. You may see a driver in front of you abruptly make a U-turn and nearly cause a serious accident, or you may be hit by a driver who was attempting a U-turn. You may be left wondering whether the U-turn was legal or if you were hurt, you might be left wondering what you’re going to do about your accident injuries.
The driver who is making the U-turn has a responsibility to exercise reasonable care for other motorists and pedestrians, and must comply with all Texas traffic laws.
Generally, drivers may make a legal U-turn if:
- They make the U-turn from the left lane.
- They wait for any traffic on the left side to go before making a U-turn on a green traffic arrow.
- They yield to traffic when making a U-turn on a solid green light or at an intersection where there isn’t a traffic light.
A driver may not make a U-turn if there are any signs prohibiting U-turns, or if the driver is unable to comply with any of the requirements described above.
What to Do If You’re Hurt in a U-Turn Accident
As is the case with any car crash, a U-turn crash should be thoroughly investigated to determine who was at fault and which driver is responsible for the accident damages. Often, the driver who was attempting a U-turn bears the legal responsibility for the crash.
If you have been hurt in a U-turn wreck, we encourage you to contact the law firm of Steven M. Lee, PC for a free consultation. You may be able to recover compensation for your past and future healthcare costs, lost income, physical pain, emotional suffering, and other accident-related damages. Our experienced attorneys would be happy to talk to you about your rights and about the actions that you should take to protect your financial recovery.