Are U-Turns Legal in California?

If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash in California after another driver made a U-turn, the legality of the maneuver could play a crucial role in your ability to recover compensation. In California, U-turns are permitted under certain circumstances. If the driver made an illegal U-turn, however, they might be liable for the crash and the resulting injuries and property damage.

When you have been the victim of an accident caused by another driver making an illegal U-turn in California, turn to Demas Law Group for help. For more than 25 years, our Sacramento car accident attorneys have worked diligently to help our clients pursue financial compensation for their injuries and losses. We provide attentive client service and maintain close working relationships with our clients based on respect.

We strive for the best possible results for our clients and pursue flexible and innovative approaches to seek favorable outcomes. When you choose us to initiate your car wreck claim, we’ll work to earn your trust by understanding your needs and goals. Let us handle the legal details so that you can focus your energy on your physical and emotional recovery.

If you have been the victim of a car accident in California caused by a driver making an illegal U-turn, contact us today for a free initial case evaluation. We can explain your legal rights and options for pursuing financial compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Is a U-turn?

A U-turn refers to a maneuver in which a vehicle turns around to travel in the opposite direction. The path of the vehicle makes a shape that resembles the letter U. Under California’s U-turn laws, U-turns are permissible under certain conditions. In other conditions, U-turns are considered illegal maneuvers.

When Are U-turns Legal in California?

While U-turns are legal in California, the state vehicle code places various restrictions on their use. Familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid traffic violations or causing a car crash.

Understanding legal vs. illegal U-turns

As a general rule of thumb, U-turns may be legally performed:

• Across a double yellow line where safe and legal to do so
• In a residential district, if no vehicles are within 200 feet and when traffic signs or lights control approaching traffic
• At intersections with a green light or arrow, unless a sign prohibits U-turns
• On highways, when an opening is provided in the center divider to allow motorists to perform U-turns

In California, U-turns are not permitted in the following circumstances:

• At or on railroad crossings
• On divided highways, if crossing a dividing section, curb, a strip of turf, or two sets of double yellow lines
• On one-way streets
• In business districts, except at intersections or openings were otherwise not prohibited
• When other vehicles might collide with your vehicle
• If you do not have an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic stretching at least 200 feet in both directions

When Is a U-Turn Illegal Under California Law?

California’s Vehicle Code restricts U-turns or makes U-turns illegal under certain circumstances:

• U-turns at intersections controlled by traffic signals – Under California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 3, §21451 and California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, §22100, a driver may make a U-turn at a traffic light when facing a green light, unless signs at the intersection prohibit U-turns. Drivers performing a U-turn must also yield the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians in the intersection or crosswalk.
• U-turns in business districts – California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, §22012 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn in a business district, except at an intersection or on a divided highway where an opening to perform a U-turn is provided. On roads with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, drivers must initiate the U-turn from the leftmost lane.
• U-turns in residential districts – Under California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, §22013, drivers may not perform a U-turn in a residential area when another vehicle is within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is subject to a traffic control device.
• U-turns at or near fire station driveways – California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, §22014 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn in front of the driveway or approach a fire station or to use a fire station’s driveway to make a U-turn.
• U-turns at or near parking lots – Pulling into a parking space and backing out to drive in the opposite direction generally does not constitute a U-turn.
• U-turns on California highways – California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, §22015 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn on a highway if the driver does not have an unobstructed view of the roadway and traffic in each direction of at least 200 feet.

What Happens If I’ve Been Injured by Someone Making an Illegal U-turn?

If someone made an illegal U-turn and you were injured in a crash, you might be entitled to compensation from that driver. You will need to prove that the other driver committed an act of negligence or recklessness and caused the accident and your injuries to do so. In a claim involving an illegal U-turn, your lawyer may be able to prove the other driver’s negligence either under ordinary negligence principles or by establishing negligence per se.

In an ordinary negligence claim, your claim will need to show that the other driver breached a duty of care owed to you by making the U-turn and that this breach of a duty caused the accident and your injuries. An attorney can help you make that argument. In a negligence per se claim, your lawyer won’t have to establish that the other driver owed a duty to you. When the driver broke the law immediately before the accident, and their violation caused the accident, they are presumed negligent.

U-turn Accident Statistics

According to data from the California Highway Patrol, in one recent year, 2,825 U-turn accidents across the state of California resulted in physical injuries. In that same year, 37 fatal U-turn crashes occurred in California.

Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Sacramento

If you have been injured by a driver who made an illegal U-turn, call or contact Demas Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers will be ready to discuss your rights and options for holding the reckless driver accountable.