Who is at fault when a driver making a U-turn causes a Georgia crash?

· 3 min read

The driver executing the U-turn usually bears the fault, because Georgia law places strict conditions on when and where such a turn is allowed and requires it to be completed without endangering other traffic. A U-turn that triggers a collision generally means at least one of those conditions was ignored.

The rules that govern a U-turn

Georgia limits U-turns through O.C.G.A. § 40-6-121, which prohibits turning to proceed in the opposite direction on a curve, near the crest of a grade where the vehicle cannot be seen by approaching drivers, where the turn cannot be made safely and without interfering with other traffic, or where a sign prohibits it. A driver who reverses direction in any of those situations, and then collides with another vehicle, has typically violated the statute. Because that is a breach of a traffic safety law, it is generally negligence per se.

The turning driver also takes on the burden of judging oncoming and following traffic. The very nature of a U-turn means crossing or merging into lanes of traffic that had the right of way, so the duty to wait for a clear, safe opening rests on the driver making the maneuver.

When another driver may share responsibility

U-turn liability is not always one-sided. O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 expresses each person’s blame as a percentage, so the oncoming or following driver can shoulder part of it when their own driving played into the wreck. That might include a driver who was speeding well over the limit and could not stop, who was distracted or impaired, or who ran a signal that should have stopped them before they reached the turning vehicle. A driver whose own percentage climbs to 50 walks away with nothing.

A driver completing a lawful, visible U-turn at a permitted location, struck by a speeder who had ample time to react, may carry less fault than the position alone suggests.

Establishing what happened

Because U-turn disputes often hinge on visibility and timing, evidence matters:

  • Where the turn was attempted, including any posted prohibition or a curve or hillcrest that limited sight lines.
  • The point of impact, showing how far into the maneuver the turning driver was.
  • Speed data, dashcam or surveillance video, and witness accounts.
  • The police report and any citation for an improper U-turn.

The bottom line

When a U-turn causes a crash in Georgia, the turning driver is usually at fault, because the law restricts where such turns are legal and demands they be made safely. Another driver’s speeding, distraction, or signal violation can still shift part of the blame under the comparative-fault rules, with location and visibility evidence driving the result.

This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, and Georgia law may change. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia personal injury attorney.

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