Who Is at Fault in a U-Turn Accident in Nevada?

Determining who is at fault in a U-turn accident depends on where the turn happened, whether it could be made safely and what each driver did before the collision.

Nevada allows U-turns in some circumstances, but not everywhere. A driver attempting the turn must comply with posted restrictions and Nevada’s rules governing when and where a U-turn may safely be made.

When one driver says the U-turn caused the crash and the other says the approaching vehicle was speeding or otherwise contributed, the liability analysis can become more complicated. That is where having an experienced personal injury attorney investigate the evidence can be especially important.

Who Is at Fault in a U-Turn Accident Under Nevada Law?

The driver making the U-turn may be an important focus of the investigation, but fault is not determined solely by the type of maneuver.

Under NRS 484B.403, a U-turn may generally be made on a road when the turn can be completed safely, except where Nevada law or an official traffic-control device prohibits it. The statute also restricts U-turns in business districts except at intersections or appropriate openings or crossing places on divided highways.

So the first questions often include where the turn occurred and whether it could reasonably be made safely under the circumstances.

Are U-Turns Legal in Nevada?

Yes, in some locations.

Nevada does not prohibit every U-turn. NRS 484B.403 generally permits the maneuver where it can be made safely unless another provision, traffic-control device or applicable local restriction prohibits it.

Nevada also places additional restrictions on certain roads.

For example, NRS 484B.227 generally prohibits crossing or turning through the dividing space or barrier of a divided highway except at an authorized opening, crossover or intersection.

The legality of the maneuver therefore depends on the location and circumstances rather than a blanket rule that U-turns are always legal or always prohibited.

What If the U-Turn Happened Where Drivers Could Not See Each Other?

Visibility matters.

Under NRS 484B.407, a vehicle may not be turned to proceed in the opposite direction on a curve or near the crest of a grade when the vehicle cannot be seen by another driver approaching from either direction within 500 feet.

That rule can become particularly important when a driver begins a U-turn where approaching traffic has limited time to see and react to the vehicle.

Visibility can also be affected by traffic, roadway design and other conditions even when that particular statute is not the central issue.

Is the Driver Making the U-Turn Always at Fault?

No.

An unsafe or prohibited U-turn can be strong evidence in a liability investigation, but the actions of the approaching driver may also matter.

For example, evidence could raise questions about whether the other driver was speeding, failed to react reasonably to an observable hazard or otherwise contributed to the collision.

Nevada’s speed law does more than prohibit driving above a posted limit. NRS 484B.600 also prohibits driving faster than is reasonable or proper considering traffic, the roadway, weather and other highway conditions.

That does not excuse an unsafe U-turn. It means the conduct of both drivers may need to be evaluated when the evidence supports a shared-fault argument.

Can Both Drivers Share Fault for a U-Turn Accident?

Potentially.

Nevada uses a modified comparative-negligence system. Under NRS 41.141, an injured person’s comparative negligence does not bar recovery when that negligence is not greater than the negligence of the party or combined parties from whom recovery is sought. When recovery is allowed, damages are reduced according to the injured person’s percentage of negligence.

That can become important when one driver is accused of making an unsafe U-turn while the other is accused of speeding or contributing to the crash in another way.

This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can matter when liability is disputed. An attorney can evaluate the traffic laws and evidence together rather than assuming one maneuver automatically determines the entire case.

What Evidence Can Help Determine Who Caused the Crash?

The evidence will depend on where and how the collision occurred, but useful information may include:

• photographs of the roadway and vehicle positions;
• signs prohibiting or regulating U-turns;
• roadway markings and medians;
• dashcam or surveillance video;
• witness statements;
• vehicle damage;
• police observations and reports; and
• evidence concerning the speed and movement of the vehicles.

Hale’s guide to what to do after a car accident in Las Vegas explains why preserving scene photographs, witness information and other accident evidence can be important when questions about liability arise.

If the drivers give conflicting accounts, Hale also explains what happens when the other driver says you were at fault and why the accusation itself does not determine responsibility.

What If the Other Driver Received a Ticket?

A citation can be relevant evidence, but it does not automatically resolve every issue in a personal injury claim.

The civil liability analysis can still involve how the collision happened, whether another driver also contributed and whether the claimed injuries resulted from the crash.

That distinction becomes especially important when significant injuries or disputed fault are involved.

An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate the citation alongside the rest of the evidence rather than treating it as the entire case.

Why Can U-Turn Accident Claims Become Complicated?

Because determining who is at fault in a U-turn accident may require answering several questions at once.

Was the U-turn permitted at that location? Could the maneuver be completed safely? Was visibility limited? How fast was the approaching vehicle traveling? Did either driver have enough time to avoid the collision?

The answers may affect how Nevada’s traffic and comparative-negligence rules apply.

If you were injured in a U-turn collision in Las Vegas, Henderson or elsewhere in Southern Nevada, Hale Injury Law can review the circumstances and help you understand your options.

Every accident is different. This information is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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