Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

I was making a U turn on a street outside my house.

When I was in the middle of the road negotiating the U, a vehicle behind me came and hit me on the driver side passenger door - almost like a T-Hit. His front bumber was damaged.

VC 21801 states one has to yield to the vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

This vehicle was behind me approaching in the same direction.

who is at fault here?

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V C Section 21801 Left Turn or U Turn

Left-Turn or U-Turn

21801. (a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.


Asked on 7/28/10, 1:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joe Marman Law Office of Joseph Marman

You are likely at fault, since you shoudl not attemtp a turn until it can be made safely. A person going straight always has the right of way, and those turning in a way to obstruct the straight person's right of way, cannot turn until it can be safely done.

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Answered on 8/02/10, 2:39 pm


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