Car accident claims: what to do next in Utah

Who pays first: PIP

Every Utah policy must have personal injury protection, or PIP. The state insurance office calls it no-fault coverage that you must have. For each person hurt, your own policy pays the first $3,000 in medical bills. Then you can claim from the other driver's insurer.

Source: Utah Insurance Department: Third-party auto claim · as of Oct 5, 2026

PIP also pays lost income of up to $250 a week, or 85 percent of your pay if that is less, for up to 52 weeks. The first 3 days may not be paid for short injuries. It pays up to $20 a day for help at home, for up to 365 days. It also pays up to $1,500 for a funeral and a $3,000 death benefit.

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-307: PIP benefits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-307: PIP benefits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-307: PIP benefits · as of Oct 5, 2026

PIP benefits are late if not paid within 30 days after the insurer gets proof of your costs.

Claiming against the other driver

If you have PIP, you can sue for pain and suffering only after certain injuries. They are death, losing a body part, a broken bone, lasting scars or other permanent disfigurement, or medical bills over $3,000. A permanent disability or impairment, based on objective findings, also counts. This test does not apply to an uninsured motorist claim.

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-309: Limits on suits and PIP conditions · as of Oct 5, 2026

How fault is shared

Utah uses comparative fault. Your own fault does not bar your claim by itself. But you can collect only if you are less than 50 percent at fault, and your money is cut by your share. Each person found at fault pays only their own share.

Coverage drivers must carry

For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, the minimums are $30,000 per person and $65,000 per crash for injuries you cause. Property damage coverage is $25,000. A combined limit of $90,000 can be used instead. Some state pages still show the older, lower limits.

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-304: Minimum liability limits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-304: Minimum liability limits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Utah Code 31A-22-304: Minimum liability limits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Uninsured motorist coverage is part of your policy, usually at your liability limits. You can buy less or turn it down in writing. It helps when the driver at fault has no insurance.

Utah's insurance laws can change each year. The state insurance office lists the bills that passed in 2026. They took effect May 6, 2026, unless a bill said otherwise.

Reporting the crash

The state insurance department says to call the police after a crash. Officers who look into a crash with an injury, a death or larger damage must file an electronic report with the state. It is due within 10 days after they finish.

The state can also ask a driver in a crash with an injury, a death or damage that looks like $2,500 or more to file a report. It is due within 10 days of the request. A driver who does not file can lose their license. You can ask for a Utah Highway Patrol report through its online records portal.

Source: Utah Code 41-6a-402: Crash reports · as of Oct 5, 2026

Deadlines

The state insurance department says injury claims must be settled or filed within 4 years of the crash. That matches Utah's 4-year limit for claims the law does not list elsewhere. A claim for a death has 2 years. A lawsuit under your uninsured motorist coverage must start within 4 years of the loss.

Utah has different limits for injury, death and insurance claims, and exceptions can apply to each one. People's Justice is not a law firm. We do not review your crash or recommend a lawyer. If you want, you can use the form on this page to ask to be connected with a law firm that pays us to advertise.