Table of Contents
A driver who makes an unsafe or illegal U-turn can be held responsible for the injuries that crash causes. If a U-turning vehicle cuts across your path in Aurora, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
These crashes happen in seconds, and the other driver's insurer may already be arguing that you should have seen the turn coming. An Aurora U-turn car accident lawyer at Conboy Law can investigate how the crash happened, identify the insurance policies that may apply, and handle the claim while you focus on recovery.
Call 312-726-9000 for a free case evaluation.
How Conboy Law Can Help After a U-Turn Car Accident in Aurora
U-turn claims often turn on a few seconds of timing, so the evidence has to be secured before it disappears. We look at the angle of impact, the traffic controls at the scene, and what the U-turning driver could see before starting the turn.
Our firm brings the following to your claim:
- Founding attorney Joseph M. Conboy, who was selected to Rising Stars from 2019 to 2022
- Memberships in the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Illinois State Bar Association
- Auto results that include a $1.5 million settlement for a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk, $2.6 million for a family hurt in a multiple-vehicle crash, and a $250,000 settlement after a rear-end collision
- Personal injury representation typically handled on a contingency fee basis, with phones answered 24/7
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. You can review our case results, and our Aurora car accident lawyer team also handles collisions that did not involve a U-turn.
How Common Are U-Turn Car Accidents in Aurora, IL?
Turning collisions were the second most common crash type in Illinois in 2024, behind front-to-rear crashes. The 2024 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics report shows the following Aurora-area county and statewide figures:
- Kane County: 10,445 crashes, including 29 fatal crashes and 2,589 injury crashes
- DuPage County: 17,323 crashes, including 54 fatal crashes and 3,783 injury crashes
- Illinois turning collisions: 54,608 crashes, including 131 fatal crashes and 13,960 injury crashes
IDOT's collision-type table does not break out U-turns on their own. The turning figures are the closest statewide measure.
When Does a U-Turn Break Illinois Law?
Illinois does not ban U-turns everywhere, but the Illinois Vehicle Code limits when and where drivers can make them. A violation of these rules can help show that the driver failed to use reasonable care.
The Safety Rule in 625 ILCS 5/11-802(a)
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-802, a driver may not turn to travel in the opposite direction unless the move can be made safely and without interfering with other traffic. That standard applies even where no sign prohibits the U-turn.
The 500-Foot Curve and Hill Rule
The same statute bars U-turns on a curve, or on the approach to or near the crest of a hill, when drivers approaching from either direction cannot see the turning vehicle within 500 feet. At 45 mph, a car covers 500 feet in under eight seconds.
Center Turn Lanes and Intersection Turn Controls
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-801, drivers may use a marked two-way left-turn lane to make a U-turn only when the U-turn is otherwise permitted by law. The same section requires drivers to turn as directed by official traffic-control devices placed at or near intersections.
Signaling and Yielding Before the Turn
625 ILCS 5/11-804 requires a continuous turn signal for at least the last 100 feet in a business or residence district and the last 200 feet elsewhere. When a U-turn begins as a left turn at an intersection, 625 ILCS 5/11-902 may also require the driver to yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard.
What Causes Most U-Turn Car Accidents in Aurora, IL?
Many U-turn crashes come down to a driver misjudging time and space. Common causes include:
- Misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming traffic
- Starting a U-turn from the curb or a parking space in the middle of a block
- Swinging wide across more than one lane to complete the turn
- Turning without signaling first
- Ignoring posted turn restrictions at an intersection
- Looking at a phone or GPS instead of the road
When a delivery driver or work vehicle makes the U-turn, the driver's employer may also share responsibility for the crash.
Can I Recover Damages If I'm Being Blamed for a U-Turn Crash in Illinois?
Yes, in many cases. Insurers often argue that the driver going straight was speeding or distracted, even when the other driver made the U-turn.
Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You cannot recover if your fault is more than 50% of the cause of your injuries. If your share is 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a jury valued your damages at $80,000 and found you 25% at fault, your recovery would drop to $60,000.
When More Than One Driver Shares the Blame
U-turn crashes sometimes pull in a third vehicle, such as a car that swerves or rear-ends stopped traffic. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, every defendant found liable is jointly and severally responsible for your past and future medical expenses. A defendant found less than 25% at fault is only severally liable for your other damages.
injured? We’re ready to fight for you
How Do I Prove Negligence After a U-Turn Car Accident in Illinois?
To prove negligence, we need to show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. In a U-turn case, the evidence usually focuses on where the turn started and what the driver could see.
We may gather the following evidence:
- The police crash report and any traffic citation
- Traffic camera, dashcam, and nearby business surveillance video
- Event data recorder information from the vehicles involved
- Statements from witnesses and other drivers
- Photos of the scene, signs, lane markings, and sight lines
- Your medical records and treatment bills
Business surveillance systems often record over old footage. Our team sends preservation requests early so that video is not lost.
Getting Your Aurora Police Crash Report
If Aurora police responded to your crash, you can get a copy of the report from the Aurora Police Department Records Division at 1200 East Indian Trail Road. Copies cost $5 at the counter, and reports can also be requested online. We can request the report for you and review it for errors.
What Is My Aurora U-Turn Car Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and no one can predict a result at the start. The value of a U-turn claim often depends on:
- The severity of your injuries and your long-term prognosis
- Your medical expenses and lost income
- How clearly the evidence shows the other driver's fault
- Any share of fault assigned to you
- The insurance coverage available
For context, the same IDOT report cites National Safety Council estimates that each incapacitating injury in 2024 cost about $171,925 in spending and lost income. That figure is a statewide estimate, not the value of any individual claim.
When the Driver Only Carries Minimum Insurance
Illinois requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash, and $20,000 for property damage under Public Act 98-0519. A serious injury can quickly exceed those limits. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own policy may help, so it is worth understanding your uninsured motorist coverage in Illinois.
What Types of Damages Are Available to U-Turn Crash Clients?
Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses, including future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel to appointments
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
We'll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your U-Turn Accident Injuries
A U-turn puts the turning vehicle directly across the path of oncoming traffic, which can lead to side-impact and head-on collisions. We handle claims involving injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Cuts, burns, and scarring
People on foot face serious risk when a driver swings around without looking. If a U-turning driver hit you while you were walking, our Aurora pedestrian accident lawyer team can review your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a U-Turn Car Accident in Illinois?
Most personal injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within 2 years after the cause of action accrues under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Waiting can also make evidence harder to find.
A shorter deadline applies when a local public entity is responsible, such as when a city-owned vehicle makes the U-turn. Under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, a civil action against a local public entity or its employees generally must be started within 1 year.
If you lost a family member in a U-turn crash, an Aurora wrongful death lawyer can explain the separate rules that may apply.
Why the County Matters in Aurora
Aurora crosses county lines, so the exact crash location can affect which county's court hears your case. We confirm the location early so we can plan where and when to file.
Contact Our Aurora U-Turn Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
A U-turn crash can leave you with injuries, bills, and questions about who is to blame. You do not have to sort through the insurance claim and the Illinois Vehicle Code on your own.
Conboy Law represents people hurt in Aurora crashes, and we can review your U-turn accident with you at no cost. Call 312-726-9000 today to schedule a free case evaluation with an Aurora U-turn car accident lawyer.
Joseph M. Conboy is the founding attorney of Conboy Law and represents victims and families in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases throughout Illinois. He has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar results and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. As the firm’s primary litigator, he works closely with clients to build strategies tailored to the facts of each case.
