Our Wilmington car accident lawyers see the consequences of dangerous U-turns on a regular basis. A U-turn may seem like a quick fix for a missed turn, but on Wilmington’s congested streets, it can trigger a head-on collision, strike a cyclist, or sweep through a crosswalk full of pedestrians. According to the Delaware State Police 2022 Annual Traffic Statistical Report, there were 27,830 traffic crashes in Delaware that year, resulting in 165 deaths and nearly 8,000 injuries. If you have been injured in a Wilmington car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
What Delaware Law Says About U-Turns
Delaware Code Title 21, Section 4153 prohibits “turning a vehicle to proceed in the opposite direction on any curve or near the crest of a grade where the vehicle cannot be seen by approaching drivers within 500 feet.” More broadly, any U-turn that cannot be made safely without interfering with other traffic is unlawful. Delaware also specifically bars U-turns on controlled-access highways unless a designated opening is provided. Violating these rules is a moving violation and constitutes evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Why U-Turns Are Especially Dangerous in Wilmington
Wilmington’s street layout makes U-turns particularly hazardous. The city’s corridors include narrow lanes, heavy on-street parking, frequent bus stops, and intersections where multiple roads converge at irregular angles. On Market Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Lancaster Avenue, traffic moves quickly, and oncoming gaps close faster than drivers anticipate. A vehicle completing a U-turn on any of these roads must cross multiple lanes of moving traffic, leaving a substantial window of exposure to approaching cars and delivery vehicles.
Cyclists traveling in the same direction as a turning vehicle face a serious threat when a driver swings left without checking mirrors or blind spots. Pedestrians crossing legally at an intersection can walk directly into the path of a U-turning vehicle that enters the crosswalk unexpectedly. Both groups are severely underprotected in these collisions compared to vehicle occupants.
High-Risk Intersections in Wilmington
Several Wilmington intersections see a disproportionate number of crashes that involve turning errors. King Street at 5th Street recorded 10 personal injury crashes in one recent study period, placing it among the most dangerous intersections in the state. Kirkwood Road at Centre Road logged 27 total accidents in the same analysis. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near King Street combines high pedestrian activity with multiple converging roads, making it especially unforgiving when a driver misjudges a U-turn. Market Street through downtown Wilmington has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years, and GPS-directed U-turns from unfamiliar drivers on this corridor are a persistent problem.
Who Bears Liability After a U-Turn Crash?
In most U-turn collisions, the turning driver bears primary responsibility. Delaware follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule: A driver found to be more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages from other parties. If a U-turn driver violated Section 4153, failed to signal, or did not yield to oncoming traffic, those facts strongly support a negligence finding. If a law was broken, you may even be able to rely on the legal concept of “negligence per se” to prove liability.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are U-turns ever legal in Wilmington?
Yes, when the movement can be made safely without interfering with other traffic, and no posted sign prohibits it. Even a technically permitted U-turn can form the basis of a negligence claim if it was executed without adequate caution in a busy urban setting.
What should I do in the days after a U-turn crash?
You should do the following:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries.
- Report the accident to your own insurance company.
- Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
- Hire a Wilmington car accident lawyer.
How long do I have to file a claim in Delaware?
Delaware’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically eliminates your right to compensation, so contacting a lawyer promptly after the crash is important.
Our Seasoned Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, Fight to Get You the Compensation You Seek if You Were Injured in a U-Turn Related Crash
If you were injured in a U-turn accident in Wilmington or anywhere in Delaware, our Wilmington car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 302-888-1221 or contact us online. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.