Motorcyclist Hit by a Driver Making a Sudden U-Turn? Here’s What You Need to Know

Our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer explains the Potential Legal options for injured motorcyclists

Motorcycle accidents in Tampa occur for many reasons. Last year alone, there were 9,453 motorcycle accidents in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). And many of those motorcycle crashes – 572 to be exact – occurred in Hillsborough County.

One of the most common – and most serious – types of motorcycle accidents is a U-turn collision. Without warning, some drivers quickly turn around and crash into an unsuspecting motorcyclist. These types of crashes happen all too often on Tampa’s busy roads, from Dale Mabry Highway and Kennedy Boulevard to Bayshore Boulevard and Fowler Avenue.

Florida law only allows U-turns when they can be made safely. But when a driver cuts across traffic without looking, the results for motorcyclists can be devastating.

When a driver makes an illegal or unsafe U-turn and crashes into a motorcyclist, the results can be catastrophic. Riders often sustain serious injuries like road rash, broken bones, or head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Knowing what to do next can be confusing. Even knowing what legal options are available might not be clear. That’s why it’s critical that injured motorcyclists talk to a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney right away. That’s why Armando Personal Injury Law wants to help you.

Why are sudden U-turn crashes so dangerous for motorcyclists?

Motorcyclists are far more exposed than drivers inside passenger vehicles. When a car or SUV cuts across traffic to make a U-turn, riders often have no safe escape route and little time to brake or swerve. Even a low-speed impact can throw a rider from their bike or cause severe trauma.

U-turns are particularly risky because they combine two high-risk factors – unexpected movement and blocked visibility. Drivers making U-turns often misjudge distance or fail to notice a motorcycle’s smaller profile until it’s too late.

The result – many unsuspecting motorcyclists sustain serious injuries that require extensive medical care, weeks or months of rest and rehabilitation, as well as follow-up surgical procedures in many cases.

Are U-turns legal in Florida?

The short answer? Yes and no. U-turns are legal in Florida under Florida Statute §316.1515, but only when they can be made safely and without interfering with other traffic. That means a driver must be absolutely sure no approaching vehicles – including motorcycles – are close enough to pose a hazard.

A U-turn is illegal when:

• It blocks or disrupts oncoming traffic.
• It’s made where signs specifically prohibit U-turns.
• It’s performed from the wrong lane or at an intersection without visibility.
• It forces other drivers or riders to brake or swerve suddenly.

In short, just because a driver can make a U-turn doesn’t mean they should do so. If a U-turn causes a collision, that driver can (and should) be held legally responsible under Florida law for failing to yield the right of way.

Who is at fault when a driver hits a motorcyclist during a U-turn?

In most cases, the driver making the U-turn is at fault for failing to check for approaching traffic before turning. Florida law requires drivers to yield to all vehicles – including motorcycles – that are close enough to create an immediate danger.

However, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto motorcyclists. These companies often claim the rider was speeding, riding in a blind spot, or not paying attention. Why? Because these companies want to save money.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under Florida Statute §768.81, insurance companies can reduce how much they have to pay injury victims if they can prove that the other party was somehow at fault.

For example, if your accident expenses total $100,000 in damages and you’re found to be 25 percent at fault, you would receive only $75,000. If you’re 51 percent or more at fault, you won’t receive anything. That’s why proving the driver’s negligence is critical.

What evidence can help prove fault in a U-turn motorcycle accident?

The stronger your evidence, the harder it is for an insurance company to deny your motorcycle injury claim. Key pieces of evidence include:

• Traffic camera or dashcam footage showing the driver’s sudden turn.
• Witness statements confirming the U-turn happened without warning.
• Police reports that cite the driver for an improper turn or failure to yield.
• Skid marks or debris patterns indicating where the impact occurred.
• Medical records linking your injuries directly to the collision.

An experienced Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer knows how to find such evidence and understands the urgency of such legal cases. Evidence is often lost or destroyed within a few weeks or months. So the sooner your attorney starts investigating your crash, the better.

What types of compensation can injured motorcyclists recover?

After a U-turn crash, you should be compensated for all your financial losses, including future anticipated expenses. This includes:

• Medical bills – Emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Lost income – Paychecks you missed while recovering from your injury.
• Reduced future earnings – Many motorcycle accident injuries prevent people from returning to work.
• Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
• Property damage – Repairs or replacement of your motorcycle and riding gear.
• Scarring or permanent disability – For injuries that change your appearance or abilities.

If the at-fault driver’s actions were especially reckless — for example, making a U-turn into moving traffic while drunk, distracted, or speeding — your lawyer may also pursue punitive damages (additional compensation) under Florida Statute §768.72 to punish that conduct.

How does Florida’s insurance system affect motorcycle accidents?

Florida’s no-fault insurance system, governed by Florida Statute §627.736, applies to cars but not motorcycles. That means motorcyclists are not covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP), even if they have PIP coverage on their car.

Instead, injured motorcyclists must file an injury claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage. If that driver doesn’t have enough insurance – or any at all – your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help pay for your injuries.

Because motorcycle insurance coverage works differently from car coverage in Florida, it’s critical that injured motorcyclists have a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer who understands how this type of insurance works and who can advise them on all the available compensation options in such cases.

What if the insurance company denies or undervalues my motorcycle accident claim?

Unfortunately, this is very common, especially among injured motorcyclists. Insurance companies often downplay motorcycle injury claims, arguing that riders routinely take risks and they someone caused the accident. They also often make lowball settlement offers to injured motorcyclists soon after a crash, hoping they’ll accept such an offer and go away.

If this happens to you, your lawyer can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, which handles legal cases involving motorcycle crashes in Tampa. In court, a judge or jury will decide who was at fault and how much compensation should be awarded to you.

Many legal cases settle before going to trial. And by filing a lawsuit, many insurance companies agree to negotiate in good faith and make a better settlement offer. That’s because they see that you’re serious about demanding the money you deserve for your motorcycle crash.

Why you should talk to a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer right away

The sooner you contact a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney, the better your ability to build a strong, compelling legal case. Evidence can disappear fast, and the insurance company often does everything it can to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all.

At Armando Personal Injury Law, we know how to investigate U-turn motorcycle crashes, know what evidence to look for, and how to challenge unfair fault claims. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. Our case results demonstrate this, including a $100,000 settlement awarded to an injured motorcyclist represented by our law firm.

If a driver’s careless actions turned your life upside down, get the law firm that rises to the challenge. Contact us and schedule your free consultation with a Tampa motorcycle accident attorney you can trust. We’re here for you when you need us most.

“Armando and his team are great. I highly recommend. They are fast, extremely efficient, and show compassion to their clients… The case was settled fast. He’s very professional. If you’re looking for a lawyer, he will be your best option to get everything taken care of. He will stay in contact with you at all times and make it a priority to get whatever it may be done in a reasonable time. I give him and his team a 10/10 based on professionalism and the service they provide.” – Ileana C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the Author

Attorney Armando Edmiston is the founding attorney of Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa, Florida, a law firm dedicated to helping people harmed in car, truck, motorcycle, nursing home, and other serious injury cases. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and personal injury lawyer, Armando draws on his real-world courtroom experience and years of representing injured Floridians to write and carefully review the legal content on this website. Every guide is written in clear, straightforward language so injured people and their families can better understand their rights, and is reviewed for legal accuracy before publication.