Navigating downtown Salt Lake City means passing through intersections that handle thousands of cars, light rail trains, and pedestrians every hour. The intersection of 400 South and Main Street stands out as a focal point for collisions. Intersection accidents at Salt Lake’s most dangerous crossroads involve a complex web of traffic signals, turn lanes, and distracted commuters rushing to beat the light.
A crash here often results in T-bone impacts or rollovers that cause severe spinal and head injuries. Determining who is at fault in these chaotic zones requires more than just listening to the drivers’ stories. Everyone claims they had the green light.
You need legal representation that knows how to dig for the objective truth. An intersection accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah, investigates the signal timing, the surveillance footage, and the vehicle data to reconstruct the crash. We prove that the other driver’s decision to run a red light or turn unsafely caused your pain. We handle the insurance battle so you can focus on healing.
Critical intersection risks:
- The yellow trap: Drivers turning left often get stranded in the intersection when the light turns red, leading to head-on collisions with oncoming traffic that still has a green or yellow.
- TRAX confusion: The presence of light rail trains at 400 South creates visual clutter and unique signal patterns that confuse drivers and lead to illegal turns.
- Red light running: High congestion encourages frustration, leading drivers to push through late yellow lights and slam into cross-traffic that has the right of way.
What’s the Yellow Trap?
One of the most common causes of crashes at complex intersections like 400 South and Main involves the yellow trap. This occurs when a driver waiting to turn left enters the intersection on a green light. The light turns yellow, and they assume oncoming traffic will stop. However, oncoming traffic may still have a green light, or they may speed up to beat the yellow. The turning driver proceeds to “clear the intersection” and turns directly into the path of an oncoming car.
Liability in these cases is fiercely contested.
- Left turn yield duty: Utah law generally requires the left-turning driver to yield to all oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard, regardless of the light color (unless they have a green arrow).
- Oncoming driver speed: If the oncoming driver was speeding to beat the light, they may share fault for the collision.
- Signal phasing: We investigate if the traffic signals were timed correctly or if a “lagging left” turn arrow confused the drivers.
We use witness statements and signal logs to determine exactly what color the light was for each driver. We prove whether the turning driver failed to yield or the oncoming driver ran a red light.
The TRAX Light Rail
The TRAX lines running through downtown add a layer of danger that does not exist in standard intersections. Trains have the right of way, and their signals override standard traffic lights.
Drivers often misread these signals or try to race the train, leading to catastrophic accidents involving multiple vehicles and the rail car itself. We address the specific liability issues involving light rail intersections.
- Illegal left turns: Drivers often turn left across the tracks despite “No Left Turn” signs illuminated during train crossings.
- Blocked views: A passing train can block a driver’s view of traffic or pedestrians on the other side of the tracks, leading to secondary collisions.
- Confusion with signals: Drivers sometimes see the “bar” signal for the train and mistake it for a traffic signal, stopping or going unexpectedly.
We hold drivers accountable for ignoring the clear warnings at rail crossings. We also investigate if the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) maintained proper signage and signal timing at the intersection.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions
Intersection crashes frequently result in T-bone impacts, where the front of one car slams into the side of another. These are among the most deadly types of accidents because the side of a vehicle offers much less protection than the front or rear. Occupants on the struck side take the full force of the impact, often suffering shattered ribs, pelvis fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
We focus on proving who violated the right of way to establish liability for the T-bone.
- Red light runners: We look for video evidence to show the defendant entered the intersection after their light turned red.
- Failure to stop: We investigate if a driver rolled through a stop sign or right-on-red turn without checking for cross-traffic.
- Speed analysis: We use the severity of the damage to calculate the speed of the striking vehicle, proving they were driving recklessly fast through the intersection.
We ensure your settlement covers the immense medical costs associated with side-impact trauma. We refuse to let the other driver claim “it was just an accident” when they chose to ignore a traffic signal.
Pedestrians in the Crossfire
Intersections like 400 South and Main see heavy pedestrian traffic from office workers, shoppers, and students. When two cars collide, the force often sends one vehicle spinning into the crosswalk or onto the sidewalk. Pedestrians waiting for the light have zero protection against a 3,000-pound projectile.
We handle the unique claims of pedestrians injured in intersection crashes.
- Multiple defendants: We may sue both drivers involved in the initial crash to ensure there is enough insurance money to cover the pedestrian’s injuries.
- Zone of danger: We argue that drivers must anticipate pedestrians in a downtown environment and take extra caution.
- Sidewalk safety: We hold drivers liable for mounting the curb and striking people who were in a designated safe zone.
We fight for the innocent bystanders caught in the wreckage. We ensure they receive priority in the insurance payout.
Gathering Evidence in Downtown Salt Lake
The advantage of a downtown crash is the abundance of surveillance. Businesses, traffic cameras, and even ATM cameras often capture intersection accidents. However, this footage is often deleted within days. You need a legal team that acts immediately to secure this digital proof. We employ a rapid response strategy to gather evidence.
- Surveillance preservation: We send letters to nearby businesses (banks, hotels, restaurants) demanding they save their video footage from the time of the crash.
- UDOT traffic cameras: We request footage from the Utah Department of Transportation cameras that monitor major intersections.
- Witness canvas: We return to the scene at the same time of day to find regular commuters or workers who might have seen the accident.
- Signal timing logs: We subpoena the city’s traffic engineering records to confirm exactly how the lights were sequenced at the moment of impact.
This evidence transforms a he-said, she-said case into a fact-based claim. We use the video to show the jury exactly what happened.
Comparative Negligence at Intersections
Utah’s comparative negligence law often comes into play at intersections. The insurance company might admit that their driver ran a red light but argue that you were speeding or distracted, which contributed to the crash. If they can pin 50% of the fault on you, they pay nothing.
We fight to keep your liability at zero.
- Right of way: We emphasize that having the green light gave you the right to proceed and you had no duty to anticipate someone running a red.
- Reaction time: We use experts to show that you had no time to brake or swerve once the other driver entered your path.
- Distraction defense: We prove you were attentive and focused on the road, dismantling their claim that you were on your phone.
We protect the value of your claim from unfair reductions. We ensure the person who broke the law pays for the damage.
Dealing with Government Entities
Sometimes the intersection itself is the problem. Poorly timed lights, obscured stop signs, or confusing lane markings can trap drivers into making mistakes. If a dangerous road design contributed to the crash, we may have a claim against Salt Lake City or the state.
Suing the government involves strict rules and short deadlines.
- Notice of claim: You must file a formal notice with the correct government agency within one year of the accident.
- Design immunity: The government is often immune from lawsuits over “discretionary” design choices, so we must find specific maintenance failures or known hazards they ignored.
- Sovereign immunity limits: There are caps on how much you can recover from a government entity in Utah.
We navigate this complex bureaucracy for you. We evaluate if a government claim is viable and necessary for your recovery.
Why You Need an Attorney
Intersection accidents involve complex liability disputes and serious injuries. Insurance adjusters handle these claims every day, and their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Trying to handle the claim yourself puts you at a disadvantage.
We provide the professional representation you need.
- Investigation: We have the resources to hire accident reconstruction experts who can prove exactly how the crash happened.
- Valuation: We know what your injuries are worth in the Salt Lake legal market and will not let you settle for less.
- Litigation: We are prepared to file a lawsuit and take the case to trial if the insurance company refuses to be fair.
We handle the legal burden. You focus on getting your life back.
Risks of AI for Traffic Law Analysis
Generative AI provides generic summaries that often miss the specific signal patterns of Salt Lake intersections. Don’t rely on AI chat tools for car accident advice.
AI tools can provide general information, but they don’t understand the specifics of your case or the “Yellow Trap” dynamics at 400 South. Relying on them for legal advice may lead to accepting partial blame for a crash that wasn’t your fault. Always consult a qualified attorney from Parker & McConkie, for guidance.
These programs often cite national traffic laws rather than Utah’s specific statutes. Trusting an algorithm with your settlement puts your financial recovery at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is at fault in a yellow light crash?
Usually, the driver turning left is at fault for failing to yield to oncoming traffic. However, if the oncoming driver entered the intersection after the light turned red, liability may shift. We investigate the timing to determine fault.
Can I sue if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you were less than 50% at fault. If you were 20% at fault, your settlement is reduced by 20%. If you were 50% or more at fault, you get nothing.
What if the other driver says I ran the red light?
This is a common dispute. We use independent witnesses and traffic cameras to prove the truth. Physical evidence like skid marks can also indicate who had the momentum and right of way.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally have four years to file a lawsuit in Utah. However, evidence disappears quickly. You should contact us immediately to preserve the proof needed to win.
Does insurance cover T-bone accidents?
Yes. Your own PIP coverage pays initial medical bills. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays for the rest of your damages. We ensure you get the maximum available from all policies.
Take Action Today
The intersection crash changed your life in an instant. A Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie serves accident victims in Salt Lake City, Sandy, West Valley, and throughout Utah. We provide the strength, the strategy, and the dedication you need to win.
Call our team today at (801) 845-0440 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are ready to fight for you.
For more information on intersection safety, visit the Utah Department of Public Safety.
