Utah Car Accident Lawyer

When can you step outside Utah's no-fault system?

You can bring a claim against the at-fault driver for pain, suffering and other general damages once your reasonable medical expenses exceed 3,000 dollars, or if you suffer a permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, dismemberment or death. Until then, your own personal injury protection is the main source of payment.

That threshold is lower than in many no-fault states, and serious crashes pass it quickly. An emergency room visit, imaging and a few weeks of therapy can be enough. The key is that the expenses must be reasonable and related to the crash, so stopping care early or waiting weeks to see a doctor can make the threshold harder to prove.

Property damage is never part of the no-fault system. You can always pursue vehicle repair or replacement from the at-fault driver's insurer.

What does Utah PIP actually cover?

Utah PIP pays medical expenses, a portion of lost income and certain other benefits up to your policy limits, regardless of fault. Every Utah auto policy must include at least 3,000 dollars of coverage per person.

PIP is designed to keep bills paid while the bigger claim develops. It usually covers you, household relatives and passengers. Many drivers buy higher limits. Once PIP runs out, health insurance often takes over, and any reimbursement claims are sorted out at settlement. Your PIP insurer may also seek repayment from the at-fault driver's insurer, but that should not reduce what you recover for pain and suffering.

How does the 50% bar play out at a Utah intersection?

Utah reduces your damages by your share of fault and bars recovery entirely if you are 50 percent or more responsible. Many Utah intersections use flashing yellow arrows and wide multi-lane roads, which leads to frequent disputes about who had the right of way.

Picture a left-turn crash in West Valley City. You turn on a flashing yellow arrow, and an oncoming driver running a late yellow light hits you. Your damages, beyond PIP, total 90,000 dollars.

• If the jury finds you 20 percent at fault, you recover 72,000 dollars.
• If the jury finds you 49 percent at fault, you recover 45,900 dollars.
• If the jury finds you 50 percent at fault, you recover nothing.

Signal timing records, traffic cameras and the other car's event data recorder can settle these disputes. Our team requests them before they are overwritten, and we also look for dashcam footage from other drivers and nearby businesses.

Which Utah driving conditions cause serious crashes?

Serious Utah car crashes often involve winter canyon roads, fast and crowded Wasatch Front freeways, and long rural highways where fatigue sets in.

• I-15 and Bangerter Highway see heavy commuter traffic, frequent construction and high-speed merges.
• Canyon roads such as those leading to ski resorts bring sudden snow, tight curves and drivers without proper tires.
• Inversions and winter fog reduce visibility in valleys.
• Long stretches near the national parks bring tired drivers, rental cars and RVs.

Rideshare cars are common around Salt Lake City, the airport and ski areas. Which policy covers a rideshare crash depends on the app status, as explained on our rideshare and taxi accidents page. If a semi was involved, see our Utah truck accident page.

What extra coverage can help after a serious Utah crash?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is often the most important coverage after a serious crash. It pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your losses.

Utah auto policies include this coverage unless it is waived in writing, and many families carry higher limits than the minimum. If a pedestrian or bicyclist was hit, their own PIP or a household member's policy may also apply. Our pedestrian accident page explains how those claims work.

What should you do after a Utah car crash?

Open a PIP claim, get medical care and keep track of expenses. Then protect your evidence and mark your deadlines.

1. Notify your insurer and submit PIP forms promptly.
2. Follow your treatment plan and keep every bill.
3. Photograph vehicles, road conditions and weather.
4. Check whether a government vehicle or road defect was involved, which triggers the 1-year notice rule.
5. Avoid signing releases until you know your full injuries.

For broader state rules, visit our Utah injury law hub. We offer a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.