Deadly Utah Intersection: State Street in Sandy

Deadly Utah Intersections

You can do everything right and still be involved in a crash. However, you can help keep even the most dangerous Utah intersection safe by respecting the rules of the road and being mindful of the motorists around you. Staying alert, patient, and cautious at every Utah intersection can make a real difference in preventing accidents and protecting lives.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the four most common causes of motor vehicle crashes in Utah include following too closely, failure to yield the right-of-way, driving too fast for conditions, and making unsafe lane changes.

Help improve the safety of our roadways by committing to the following.

Look twice–save a life

One of the most common causes of motorcycle and bicycle accidents is motorists failing to see the bikers around them. Before changing lanes or making turns, look twice. This could mean the difference between life and death for you, your passengers, and the biker.

Slow down

Speed is one of the top contributing factors in fatal accidents. Not only does breaking the speed limit decrease your reaction time, it increases the risk of serious injuries and death in the event of a crash.

Keep in mind that in a head-on collision, the speeds of both vehicles contribute to the force of the accident. By keeping to the

speed limit, you can help diminish the severity of an accident, should one occur.

Graphic of car pulling up to a crosswalk with a pedestrian

Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks

Pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks have the right-of-way in Utah. Do not attempt to “beat” a pedestrian through the crosswalk.

Pedestrians should yield to motor vehicles when indicated by traffic lights or at any non-crosswalk location.

Give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of room

Though bicyclists should ride near the rightmost side of the road, both motorcyclists and bicyclists are entitled to the full use of a lane. When passing, give bikers at least three feet of space.

When parking on the side of the road, always take a moment to carefully check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before opening your door. Cyclists often ride close to parked cars, and opening your door without looking could cause a serious “dooring” accident, putting both you and the biker at risk of injury. Make it a habit to open your door slowly and only when you’re sure the lane is clear. This small act of caution not only protects cyclists but also helps keep everyone on the road safer. Practicing awareness and patience in these moments is an easy yet powerful way to prevent avoidable accidents.

How a Utah Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Whether you’ve been injured in Draper, Provo, or elsewhere in Utah, an attorney with The Advocates can help. We have been representing accident victims in the state for more than 30 years, so we understand what you’re going through.

In addition to being skilled negotiators and fierce litigators, our personal injury lawyers are also compassionate members of the community who truly care about the people we serve. We understand that an accident can turn your life upside down, and our team will go above and beyond to ensure your needs are fully met. Whether you need help accessing medical care, assistance with property damage repairs, or guidance navigating insurance claims, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to make the recovery process as smooth and stress-free as possible so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.

For your convenience, we have offices all throughout Utah, including in downtown Salt Lake City, Murray, American Fork, Odgen, Logan, and St. George. We are available 24/7, and if you can’t make it into one of our offices, we’ll come to you.