Liability Determination for U-turn Collision with Straight-going Vehicle?
2 Answers
When a straight-going vehicle collides with a vehicle making a U-turn, the U-turning vehicle bears full responsibility. If the vehicle has already completed the U-turn and is proceeding normally forward, resulting in a rear-end collision, the straight-going vehicle assumes full liability. More details are as follows: 1. Legal Basis: According to Article 49 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China: Motor vehicles are not allowed to make U-turns at locations with no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings, as well as at railway crossings, crosswalks, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or sections prone to danger. 2. Additional Notes: Motor vehicles can make U-turns at locations without no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings, but must not obstruct the passage of other normally traveling vehicles and pedestrians.
I encountered a similar case just a few days ago. When a U-turning car gets hit by a straight-going vehicle, normally the U-turning driver bears primary or even full responsibility. The reason is simple: making a U-turn counts as a turning maneuver, and you must ensure it doesn't interfere with vehicles proceeding straight. However, if the straight-going car was speeding or ran a red light, the liability ratio might be adjusted. Remember, traffic laws clearly state that turning vehicles must yield to through traffic—this is a fundamental rule. In daily driving, whenever I see a car making a U-turn ahead, I always slow down early to avoid it, because safety comes first. Post-accident liability determination also relies on dashcam footage or intersection surveillance—clear evidence is crucial for accurate fault allocation.
