U-turn crashes can cause major disruptions in people’s lives. They happen for many reasons, such as poor visibility, impatience on the road, or confusion with traffic signals. In Hawaii, these incidents often result in serious injuries, property damage, and emotional challenges that can last for years.
At Recovery Law Center, our legal team understands how tough these moments are. Our Honolulu car accident lawyer is ready to help families who have suffered loss or life-altering harm. We will stand by your side and seek compensation for your losses. If you are in this situation, reach out to Recovery Law Center and schedule a consultation.
Consult Our U-Turn Accident Lawyer at Recovery Law Center
U-turn accidents can be frightening and stressful. When these crashes occur, it is wise to work with an injury lawyer who knows car accident laws, including those related to U-turns in Hawaii. At Recovery Law Center, we look at every detail of your accident to determine who should be held liable. Our approach involves the following steps:
- We start by reviewing police reports, photos, and eyewitness accounts. We also check your medical treatment records to see how the accident has affected your life.
- We collect supporting information, such as traffic camera footage, to show driver negligence. This includes distracted driving, driving under the influence, ignoring traffic signals, or failing to yield.
- We talk to the insurance companies on your behalf. Insurers often try to minimize payouts or deny liability, but we push back by showing documentation of your damages, including lost wages and medical costs.
- We look for a fair settlement that covers your economic damages (like medical bills and property damage) and noneconomic damages (including pain and suffering).
- If insurers do not cooperate, we will bring your claim to court. We pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses, working to protect your rights every step of the way.
We believe that families deserve consistent legal counsel from start to finish. That is why we provide a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your accident. You can then decide if you want to work with us, without pressure or hidden fees. Our track record includes many personal injury cases where we secured the damages clients deserve.
How We Build a Strong Case
Building a solid U-turn accident case involves several steps. When you partner with our firm, we:
- Review All Records: We look at your medical files, police reports, and any relevant traffic camera footage to confirm what happened.
- Gather Evidence of Negligence: This can include phone records if we suspect distracted driving, or data on the driver’s blood alcohol level if a drunk driver caused the crash.
- Talk to Witnesses: Eyewitness accounts help us paint a clear picture of the collision and show the other party’s negligence.
- Work With Experts: We may bring in specialists such as accident reconstruction analysts and medical professionals to explain complicated details.
- Prepare for Trial: While we often resolve cases through settlements, we prepare for court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
We believe each client deserves dedicated support. We tailor our approach based on your case facts, so you get the best possible outcome.
Handling Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often seek to minimize their payouts. They might blame you for part of the collision or push for a quick settlement that does not cover all your expenses. When serious injuries require lengthy medical treatment, the last thing you need is a drawn-out fight with an insurer.
Our approach includes:
- Building a solid case
- Calculating the full extent of your economic damages
- Considering non-economic damages
- Negotiating with insurers for a settlement that recognizes your short-term and long-term needs
A fair settlement includes coverage for property damage, immediate treatment costs, future rehab, and other needs. If negotiations break down, we can file a lawsuit to protect your rights in court.
Car Accident Laws in Hawaii: Key Points for U-Turn Cases
In Hawaii, car accident laws govern how to establish negligence, liability, and damages. The driver making a U-turn must follow traffic signals, check all directions, and ensure it is safe to complete the turn. If the court finds a driver acted carelessly or broke traffic rules, that driver may be responsible for harm caused. However, Hawaii is also a comparative negligence state. This means:
- Each driver’s share of fault is weighed.
- Damages are reduced if the injured party is partially at fault.
- Compensation may be possible if the injured person’s fault is not greater than the other party’s.
This system affects personal injury claims by assigning each driver a percentage of responsibility. For instance, you might be found 20% at fault if you were speeding while the other driver was 80% at fault for making an illegal U-turn. You could still recover 80% of the total damages award in that scenario.
The Risks of U-Turn Accidents
A U-turn usually involves reversing direction in the middle of traffic. If any driver misjudges speed or distance, a crash may occur. In Hawaii, the laws allow or prohibit U-turns on certain roads, and traffic signals often indicate when such turns are permitted. Yet these signals can be missed or misread. Even a moment of distraction can cause an accident, with drivers traveling at higher speeds on busy roads.
Some common causes of these collisions include:
- Distracted driving: A text message or phone call can take a driver’s eyes off the road at the worst possible time.
- Speeding: Trying to beat oncoming traffic increases the risk of a collision.
- Poor visibility: Nighttime conditions, fog, or heavy rain make it hard to see oncoming vehicles.
- Traffic congestion: Crowded roadways can reduce available space, making a U-turn unsafe.
In some personal injury cases, the court finds that a U-turn driver was at fault for failing to yield or obey traffic signals. However, comparative negligence laws in Hawaii may adjust liability if more than one driver was responsible.
Injuries From U-Turn Crashes
After a U-turn accident, injuries range from mild to severe. Some individuals bounce back within weeks, while others face a life-altering experience. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even minor head injuries can lead to lasting symptoms. More serious harm might mean extensive medical treatment and therapy.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A blow to the back can cause partial or complete paralysis, with treatments that can include surgeries and ongoing care.
- Broken Bones: Impact with another vehicle or hitting the pavement can result in fractures, which might require physical therapy or surgery.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Sprains, strains, and ligament tears are common after a motor vehicle accident.
- Internal Organ Damage: Internal bleeding can be fatal if not treated quickly.
These injuries often bring huge medical costs. They may also lead to lost wages if you cannot work during recovery. In extreme cases, victims face wrongful death, which leaves families trying to manage final expenses and grief. Our Honolulu car accident lawyer offers support for those who have suffered injuries or lost someone. We help with personal injury claims and wrongful death actions to hold the driver at fault accountable.
Compensation You Can Seek
Victims of U-turn car accidents in Waipahu can seek a variety of compensations to cover their losses. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the accident. These damages are straightforward to calculate and essential for covering the immediate financial impact of the accident.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are more subjective but equally important in recognizing the broader impact of the accident on a victim’s life. In certain cases, courts in Hawaii may also grant punitive damages aimed at deterring gross negligence.
Seeking both economic and non-economic damages ensures victims receive maximum compensation for their suffering and losses. This approach helps cover a U-turn accident’s full spectrum of impacts.
When a U-Turn Accident Leads to Wrongful Death
In the most tragic outcomes, a U-turn accident can lead to death. Family members of the victim may be left to pick up the pieces, dealing with funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional trauma. Hawaii law permits a wrongful death claim in cases where a driver’s negligence causes a fatal collision. Through such a claim, loved ones may recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost financial support that the victim would have provided
- Loss of love, guidance, and companionship
- Medical expenses incurred before death
Though compensation cannot fill the void left by a tragic loss, it can ease the financial burdens left behind. Our law firm offers a free consultation to discuss these sensitive matters. We handle each wrongful death case with empathy and commitment.
Move Forward with Recovery Law Center
At Recovery Law Center, our goal is to lighten that load. Our Honolulu car accident lawyer offers a caring approach that addresses your concerns, answers your questions, and supports you through every phase of the legal process.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a U-turn collision, do not wait. You deserve a legal team that treats you with respect, keeps you informed, and works tirelessly on your behalf. Contact us today and let us help you focus on what matters most—your healing and your life.
