Illegal U-Turn Uber Crashes in Maryland

If you were struck by a rideshare driver who made an illegal U-turn in Maryland, you might be struggling with all kinds of financial, medical, and psychological issues. A car accident can lead to serious healthcare bills, and you might face months of lost wages as you recover. Car accidents are also highly traumatic events, and you might be shaken by this near-death experience. Can you take legal action after this type of car accident in Owings Mills? Could an auto accident lawyer help you pursue compensation?

Rideshare Vehicles Are More Likely to Make Illegal U-Turns 

Drivers of Lyft and Uber vehicles may be more likely to make illegal U-turns. Often, these drivers are unsure of their surroundings. When approaching a particular intersection, they may not know where the passenger is waiting for pickup. If they approach the intersection from the wrong side, they may need to quickly turn across multiple lanes and double back. A U-turn is the obvious way to deal with this situation, even if this maneuver is illegal.

Rideshare drivers may also make illegal U-turns during drop-offs. A passenger might be unsure of where a particular restaurant or bus stop is located. As a result, they might ask their rideshare driver to get on the other side of the road before drop-off. The rideshare driver might agree, even if the U-turn is illegal.

One has to remember that rideshare drivers make more money depending on how many trips they can complete within a given shift. These drivers may feel they have no time to search for a legal, safe place to make a U-turn. Those valuable seconds and minutes could eat into their profits, and they may feel that it’s worth the risk to disobey traffic laws.

Are U-Turns Legal in Maryland?

 Generally speaking, U-turns are legal in Maryland if there are no signs that specifically prohibit this maneuver. But even if a U-turn is legal, drivers must only attempt one if it is safe to do so. In some residential neighborhoods, it is illegal to make a U-turn if there is traffic within 200 feet. The specific laws on U-turns vary depending on the specific municipality, and an accident lawyer can help you determine whether the rideshare driver broke the law.

Can I Sue a Rideshare Driver for Making an Illegal U-Turn? 

If you were injured by a rideshare driver who made a U-turn, you may be able to pursue compensation directly from Uber or Lyft. These billion-dollar tech companies are heavily insured against accidents, and it should be relatively easy to negotiate a settlement. You do not necessarily need to prove that the rideshare violated a traffic law, and you can simply establish that they were driving recklessly.

Can an Uber Accident Lawyer in Owings Mills Help? 

If you were injured in a Maryland Uber accident, a Baltimore personal injury lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation. Whether the rideshare driver made an illegal U-turn or any other unlawful maneuver, you are fully within your rights to consider legal action. If you’re serious about pursuing compensation, contact Furman Honick Law today and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.

Sources: 

casetext.com/statute/code-of-maryland/article-transportation/title-21-vehicle-laws-rules-of-the-road/subtitle-4-right-of-way/section-21-402-vehicle-turning-left-or-making-u-turn

route-fifty.com/management/2018/09/red-light-speed-cameras/151663/