Utah’s scenic roads and growing network of bike lanes make it a great place for cycling, whether you’re commuting to work in Salt Lake City, training along the Jordan River Parkway Trail, or riding casually near Liberty Park. But even with safety measures in place, intersections remain one of the most dangerous places for cyclists. A bicycle intersection accident in Utah can leave riders with serious injuries, costly medical bills, and a long road to recovery.
If you’ve been hit in a crosswalk, T-boned in a busy intersection, or sideswiped while riding lawfully through a green light, you’re not alone. These types of accidents happen more frequently than many people realize. Understanding your legal rights and the steps to take after a crash can help you move forward and get the compensation you deserve.
Why Intersections Pose a High Risk for Utah Cyclists
Intersections are complex environments where drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians all converge, and too often, drivers don’t look out for cyclists. Whether you’re navigating busy junctions like 400 South and 900 East in Salt Lake City or riding through intersections near the University of Utah, the potential for a serious crash is high.
Some of the most dangerous intersections for cyclists in Utah include:
- State Street & 3300 South in South Salt Lake, where heavy traffic and poor visibility contribute to frequent accidents.
- Redwood Road & 6200 South in Taylorsville, a major corridor where multiple modes of transport intersect.
- Main Street & 100 North in Logan, a downtown area with both vehicular congestion and pedestrian activity.
Even when cyclists follow the law, use designated bike lanes, and wear high-visibility gear, they remain vulnerable to negligent drivers who fail to yield, misjudge speeds, or ignore traffic signals altogether.
Common Scenarios Leading to Bicycle Intersection Accidents
When a bike crash lawyer investigates a cyclist’s accident, the details often reveal a familiar pattern of driver mistakes. Some of the most common causes of bicycle intersection accidents in Utah include:
- Left-turn collisions: A motorist turning left across an intersection fails to see or misjudges the speed of an oncoming cyclist.
- Right-hook accidents: A vehicle turning right cuts off a cyclist riding straight through the intersection in the bike lane.
- Red light or stop sign violations: Drivers may run a red light or fail to come to a complete stop at a sign, leading to a high-impact crash.
- Distracted or impaired driving: Texting, fatigue, or alcohol use can cause drivers to overlook cyclists, especially at intersections.
In some cases, cyclists are hit in a crosswalk by drivers who treat crosswalks as pedestrian-only zones and fail to recognize a bike crossing legally. Utah law allows cyclists to use crosswalks under certain conditions, and drivers are obligated to yield.
What to Do After a Bicycle Intersection Accident in Utah
If you’ve been struck while riding your bike through an intersection, taking the right steps immediately after the accident is critical to both your health and your legal claim. Even if you feel okay at first, the shock of the event may mask serious injuries.
Here’s what you should do if you’ve been involved in a bicycle intersection accident:
- Call 911 immediately: Get medical assistance on the scene and ensure police respond to document the crash.
- Document everything: Take photos of your bike, the vehicle involved, street signs, traffic lights, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Talk to witnesses: Get contact information from bystanders who saw the crash. Their statements can support your claim.
- Seek medical care: Follow up with a doctor even if your injuries seem minor. Soft tissue injuries, concussions, or internal trauma can develop over time.
- Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting a lawyer. Anything you say may be used to downplay your injuries or deny liability.
Injuries Cyclists Often Sustain in Intersection Accidents
Bicyclists have very little protection compared to motorists, making injuries more severe. A bicycle intersection accident in Utah can result in:
- Broken bones or fractures, especially to the wrists, arms, collarbone, or legs
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (even when wearing a helmet)
- Spinal cord injuries or herniated discs
- Lacerations, road rash, or soft tissue damage
- Internal injuries and organ trauma
In intersections like 1300 South and 300 West, where multiple traffic lanes and turning points converge, these injuries often occur at higher speeds, increasing the risk of long-term disability.
Utah Bicycle Laws and Liability in Intersection Crashes
Under Utah law, bicycles are considered vehicles, and cyclists have the right to use public roads just like motorists. This includes riding through intersections and crossing in crosswalks under certain conditions. When drivers fail to yield or violate traffic laws, they can be held liable for any resulting accident.
However, Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means if you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you may not be eligible to recover damages at all. For example, if a cyclist failed to use proper lighting at night or ignored a traffic signal, they could share fault.
This is one reason why it’s so important to work with an experienced Utah bicycle accident lawyer. Your attorney can gather evidence, review traffic camera footage (common at downtown SLC intersections), and consult accident reconstruction experts to build a case proving driver negligence.
Compensation Available in a Utah Bicycle Accident Case
If you’ve been hit by a car while riding your bike, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the full extent of your losses. Depending on the facts of your case, you could recover damages for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages: Time off work during recovery, plus future lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your bicycle and gear
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving gross negligence or reckless conduct
A bike crash lawyer can assess the value of your claim and fight for the maximum compensation available under Utah law.
Why You Need a Bike Crash Lawyer After a Utah Intersection Accident
Trying to navigate the legal system and negotiate with insurance companies while recovering from an injury is no small task. A qualified attorney can take that burden off your shoulders by handling every aspect of your case.
A Utah bicycle accident lawyer will:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly and determine fault
- Preserve evidence before it disappears, including skid marks, traffic signal timing data, or surveillance video from businesses along the road
- Calculate the full extent of your damages, including future care
- Handle all communications with insurance companies to protect your rights
- Represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial, if needed
Whether your crash happened on North Temple in Salt Lake City, 800 North in Orem, or a rural highway near Spanish Fork, legal help is just a phone call away.
Call Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks for Help Today
If you were hit in a crosswalk or injured in a bicycle intersection accident in Utah, you deserve to be represented by a team that understands Utah law and knows how to fight for your rights.
Call Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks at (801) 500-4000 to speak with our skilled Utah bicycle accident lawyer today. We offer compassionate, aggressive legal representation to help injured cyclists recover physically, emotionally, and financially after a serious crash. Reach out for your free consultation now.
