In Minnesota, car crashes related to illegal turns happen frequently. Though wrong-way turns don’t get as much attention as other road-related dangers like distracted or drunk driving, it can be just as harmful to anyone on the road.
FindLaw starts by looking at the illegal U-turn, one of the most commonly-known instances of dangerous illegal turning practices. Illegal U-turns can contribute to crashes because they put a driver in the direct path of oncoming traffic flows. Other drivers may not be able to see them or stop in time to avoid them, leading to sideswipe or rear-end crashes.
In other instances of illegal turning, a driver could end up going down a road that has become one-way only with the traffic flow heading directly toward them. This increases your chances of being hit head-on.
Intersections can be especially dangerous since cars are coming from all directions. Taking an illegal turn here greatly increases the chance of a driver being sideswiped or rear-ended as well. There’s an additional risk of multiple vehicles becoming involved simply due to the proximity of cars in an intersection and the speed at which they are traveling.
On top of everything else, turning illegally increases a driver’s chance of hitting joggers, bicyclists, and anyone attempting to use the crosswalk. Illegal turns are a common reason for crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s illegal turn, you may want to seek the aid of an attorney. They can help you protect yourself and seek compensation.