Britt Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Who Is at Fault in a Britt Car Accident Involving a U-Turn?

It is not uncommon to wonder who is at fault for a car accident involving a U-turn. Fault will depend on a variety of circumstances, including whether the U-turn was made legally, if it was done safely, and if there were other contributing factors. When it comes to U-turns and left-turn accidents, fault often lies with the driver making the turn, although this is not always the case.

Legality of a U-Turn

The first consideration is whether the U-turn was legal. Unless there is a sign that explicitly indicates a U-turn is illegal, it is generally not against the law. One scenario in which a U-turn may be illegal even without a sign prohibiting it is when it is performed from the wrong lane, such as making a U-turn from a middle or right lane.

Safety of a U-Turn

The other issue is whether the U-turn was made safely. Turning in a tight area can make it unsafe. Not waiting for big enough gaps in traffic or making the turn slowly can also make it unsafe. Another example of an unsafe U-turn is making one and then failing to keep up with the flow of traffic, since a sudden stop or slowing down could cause an accident. A motorist who makes a U-turn and blocks traffic presents a danger to other drivers as well, which could lead to a crash.

Other Contributing Factors

There could be other factors that weigh into who is at fault for a car accident involving a U-turn. For instance, a legal U-turn could still result in the driver being at fault if he or she was texting at the time or did not yield to other vehicles, such as drivers turning right with a solid green light or a green arrow. There can be several extenuating circumstances that impact U-turn or left-turn accident fault, and it may require seeking legal counsel to sort them out.

How Is Fault Determined in a Britt Car Accident?

Generally, under Iowa law, fault is also known as negligence. Iowa follows what is called comparative fault, which means the fault of the parties involved in an accident is compared against each other. For example, if someone strikes you from behind while you are waiting at a red light or waiting in traffic, chances are the other driver is entirely at fault. However, if you are driving down the road and another driver pulls out in front of you while you are speeding or looking at your phone, you may be found partially at fault for the accident. Any percentage of fault assigned to you reduces your compensation by that same percentage.

Common Scenarios and How Fault Is Assigned

The determination of fault is based on the Rules of the Road, which are laws passed over the years by the Iowa Legislature covering speed limits, the duty to yield, following traffic devices, and the requirement to wear a seatbelt. In a rear-end collision, there is a rule requiring drivers to maintain control of their vehicle so as not to strike others, so if you are legally stopped and are struck from behind, there is a good chance the other driver will be found entirely at fault. Failure to obey stop signs or traffic lights, and failure to yield in a roadway or at an uncontrolled intersection, are other common violations that factor heavily into fault determinations, with the general rule at an uncontrolled intersection being that you must yield to the driver on your right.

How a Seatbelt Affects Fault

Iowa law allows a driver or passenger to be assessed up to 25 percent fault for not wearing a seatbelt when required to do so, even if the other driver was clearly at fault for the accident itself. Whether or not this seems fair, the best advice is to always wear your seatbelt.

Avoiding Mistakes When Dealing With Doctors After a Britt Car Accident

Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with the doctor are when treating an injury. Common mistakes can make a real difference in your case. Not reporting pain or explaining how an injury is affecting your work limits what gets documented in your medical records, which can affect the doctor's opinion of your injury and how your case is ultimately evaluated.

See a Doctor Immediately

It is your responsibility to prove that you were injured by the accident. If you have any pain or problems, you need to seek medical care right away. Insurance companies and juries often believe that if you did not seek immediate medical attention, your condition may not be related to the accident. Even relatively minor pain can lead to bigger problems later, so it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Be Careful What You Discuss With Medical Providers

The job of your medical providers is to focus on your injuries and provide treatment. They do not need to know the details of your legal claim, and your concerns about the case should be kept separate from your medical visits. Anything you tell your medical providers becomes part of your medical records, which the insurance company and potentially a judge or jury may see. You will, however, need to explain how you were injured so your providers understand the connection between the accident and your symptoms.

Be Honest About Your Health History

Doctors will usually ask if you have previously had any injury to the same area of the body. It is important to be honest rather than try to hide prior problems, since your full medical history will eventually be available to the insurance company. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can affect the quality of your care and can also hurt your legal case. Be equally honest when describing the accident itself, since insurance company lawyers will look for any inconsistency to attack your credibility.

Attend Every Medical Appointment

Missed appointments show up in your medical records, and repeated missed visits can make it appear as though you did not care about your treatment. If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, call at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

Pain should be reported accurately and consistently, since doctors are trained to look for inconsistencies. Take medications as prescribed, and contact your doctor if you experience unwanted side effects rather than stopping treatment on your own. Avoid stopping medical treatment too soon, and avoid long gaps between appointments, since insurance companies and juries often interpret gaps in treatment as a sign that an injury has healed. Keep copies of business cards, bills, work excuses, and other medical records, since your attorney will need this documentation. If pain, limited activity, or disability leads to anxiety or depression following an injury, follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment, since these conditions can also be part of a properly documented and compensated injury claim.