CAR CRASHES IN ST. GEORGE, UTAH IN JANUARY 2026
Every month in St. George, we see crashes that could have been avoided with just a little more patience and awareness.
Andrew Spainhower with McMullin Injury Law reviews several real accidents that happened around St. George in January 2026. While each collision was different, they all shared a common theme: preventable mistakes.
Let’s walk through what happened — and what drivers in Southern Utah can learn from these crashes.
Parking Lot Left Turns: If You Can’t See, Don’t Go
The first crash took place near the Wells Fargo parking lot by Red Cliffs Drive and the mall.
A vehicle attempted to make a left-hand turn out of the parking lot and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The result? A completely avoidable collision.
This is one of the most common types of crashes we see in St. George — especially near busy commercial areas.
Left-hand turns from parking lots are risky because:
Visibility is often limited
Traffic may be moving faster than expected
Drivers underestimate how quickly cars approach
If you cannot clearly see both directions of traffic, the safest option is simple: don’t make the left turn. Turn right, find a safe place to turn around, and avoid putting yourself and others at risk.
The few extra seconds it takes to go the long way are nothing compared to the consequences of a crash.
The “Courtesy Trapper” Problem
Another crash we reviewed involved what I call a “courtesy trapper.”
This is when a driver stops in traffic to “wave” another vehicle through — even though there are multiple lanes of traffic involved.
In this situation, a white vehicle stopped in one lane to let a truck make a left-hand turn across three lanes. While the driver thought they were being helpful, they were actually setting the truck up for danger.
When you wave someone across lanes of traffic:
You cannot control or guarantee safety in other lanes
You may block visibility
You create uneven traffic flow
You increase the risk of rear-end collisions
In this case, traffic backed up unevenly, and a vehicle in the rear ended the truck.
While the rear driver was ultimately responsible for following too closely, the “courtesy trapper” contributed to the unsafe situation.
Being polite on the road is good. But being predictable is better.
Follow traffic laws, move forward when it’s your turn, and let drivers make their own safe decisions when they have clear visibility.
Following a Bus Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe
One of the more serious incidents occurred near 700 South and Bluff, by Arby’s.
A bus was making a left-hand turn. A car followed behind the bus, assumed the path was clear, and failed to see a bicyclist in the bike lane.
The driver swerved from the turning lane into the far right lane and then into a parking lot without properly checking for pedestrians or cyclists.
This resulted in a painful collision with the bicyclist.
There are a few important lessons here:
Never assume the vehicle in front of you has cleared all hazards.
Large vehicles like buses block visibility.
You are still responsible for ensuring your lane is clear before entering it.
Even if a cyclist may be traveling in a less-than-ideal position, drivers still carry the greater responsibility. The vehicle is the heavier and more dangerous machine.
Failing to properly check for cyclists or pedestrians before turning is one of the leading causes of injury accidents in urban areas like St. George.
Left-Hand Turns at Intersections: A 100% Preventable Crash
Another crash we reviewed occurred near 100 South and River Road, by Red Rock Commons.
Again, the issue was a left-hand turn.
A driver followed a bus, assumed the way was clear, and turned directly into oncoming traffic that had a green light.
In Utah, left-hand turners are almost always at fault when they fail to yield to oncoming vehicles with the right of way.
Left turns are dangerous because:
They require judgment of speed and distance
Visibility may be limited
Drivers often feel pressured to “go now”
Patience matters. If you can’t clearly see oncoming traffic, wait.
The Bigger Pattern: Failure to Yield
If there was one theme throughout January’s crashes, it was this:
Failure to yield.
Whether it was:
Pulling out of a parking lot
Turning left across traffic
Following a bus without checking
Waving someone through multiple lanes
Each crash stemmed from someone moving before it was truly safe to do so.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a St. George Crash
Even careful drivers can become victims of someone else’s mistake.
If you’re involved in a crash in St. George or anywhere in Southern Utah:
Seek medical attention immediately.
Document the scene if it’s safe to do so.
Avoid making recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance.
Speak with a car accident attorney before accepting any settlement.
Insurance companies evaluate liability, causation, and damages carefully — and they often look for ways to minimize what they pay.
Understanding your rights early can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
Let’s All Drive Smarter in Southern Utah
St. George continues to grow, and with that growth comes more traffic.
A few seconds of patience at a left turn.
Not waving someone into danger.
Double-checking before entering a lane.
These small habits can prevent serious injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash and have questions about what comes next, our team at McMullin Injury Law is here to help.
