Car Accident Lawyers in Utah

Most states let a crash victim sue the at-fault driver right away. Utah makes every driver go through their own insurer first. Under the state’s no-fault system, a $3,000 minimum personal injury protection (PIP) benefit pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the wreck — and a claimant cannot sue for pain and suffering until medical expenses clear that $3,000 threshold or a qualifying serious injury shows up in the records, under Utah Code § 31A-22-309.

The No-Fault Threshold, and How to Clear It

Every Utah auto policy carries at least $3,000 in PIP coverage, with no deductible allowed on that benefit. That money pays first, no matter whose fault the crash was. To reach the at-fault driver’s liability coverage for pain and suffering, a claimant needs medical bills that exceed $3,000, or a documented serious injury — a bone fracture confirmed by X-ray, permanent disfigurement, or a permanent impairment rating from a treating doctor. Getting that documentation right early is often the difference between a claim that stays capped at PIP and one that reaches full compensation.

Four Years to File, With Shorter Exceptions

Utah Code § 78B-2-307 gives a personal injury claimant four years from the crash date to file suit — longer than many states allow. Property damage claims carry a three-year deadline, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years, and a claim naming a city, county, or state agency requires a notice of claim within one year under the Utah Governmental Immunity Act, far shorter than the general deadline.

Less Than 50% at Fault, or Nothing

Utah applies a modified comparative negligence rule under Utah Code §§ 78B-5-817 to 823. A claimant can recover only if their own fault is 49% or less; at 50% fault or above, recovery is barred entirely. Below that line, any award is simply reduced by the claimant’s own percentage of fault — which puts real weight on how fault gets argued once a case clears the no-fault threshold.

No Damage Cap Once a Claim Clears the Threshold

• No cap on economic or noneconomic damages in a car accident claim.
• The state’s $450,000 noneconomic cap applies only to medical malpractice cases.
• Punitive damages carry no statutory cap, but are rare in ordinary crash claims.
• Half of any punitive award above $50,000 goes to the state, not the claimant.

Once a claim documents medical bills past $3,000 or a qualifying serious injury, Utah does not limit how much a jury can award for pain and suffering, lost future earnings, or ongoing medical care.

A 30/65/25 Insurance Floor

Utah raised its minimum liability coverage to 30/65/25 effective January 1, 2025 under HB 113 — $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, plus $25,000 in property damage coverage, up from 25/65/15. A serious injury claim along a busy Wasatch Front corridor can still exceed those limits quickly, which is where a claimant’s own underinsured motorist coverage often becomes relevant.

Finding a Car Accident Lawyer in Utah

The Lawyer Atlas is a directory, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice about your specific crash. Look for an attorney who can explain how the no-fault threshold applies to your medical bills, how the 49% fault bar plays out on your facts, and who works on contingency so a free consultation costs nothing upfront. Browse the Salt Lake City page above to reach attorneys serving the Wasatch Front.