By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Utah's no-fault system means your own policy pays first: at least $3,000 per person in PIP medical benefits, plus lost income of the lesser of $250 a week or 85% of gross income for up to 52 weeks, up to $1,500 in funeral costs and a $3,000 death benefit. You can sue the other driver for pain and suffering only if your injury meets the legal threshold.
Liability minimums rose to 30/65/25 for policies issued or renewed from January 1, 2025, up from 25/65/15. Injury and vehicle damage claims generally have 4 years under the catch-all limitations period, while wrongful death claims have 2. Claims against a government entity require a written notice of claim within 1 year, followed by a wait for the entity to respond (or 60 days), and damages against government entities are capped. Fault works on a 50% bar: you recover only if the other parties' combined fault exceeds yours. Drivers must notify police immediately after crashes with $2,500 or more in apparent property damage. Utah recorded 277 traffic deaths in 2024.
Key rules at a glance
| Personal injury filing deadline | Generally 4 years from the date of injury, under Utah's catch-all limitations period. Because Utah is a no-fault state, you can only sue for pain and suffering if your injury meets the legal threshold. Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4) |
|---|---|
| Property damage deadline | Generally 4 years for damage to your vehicle or other personal property in a motor vehicle accident Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-307(3) |
| Wrongful death deadline | Generally 2 years, usually counted from the date of death Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-304(3) |
| Claims against a government entity | Under the Governmental Immunity Act, you generally must file a written notice of claim within 1 year after the claim arises. You then have to wait for the entity to respond (or 60 days) and file suit within the separate deadline that follows. Damages against government entities are also capped. |
| Fault rule | Modified comparative fault (50% bar): Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can recover only if the other parties' combined fault is greater than yours. At 50% or more, you recover nothing. Source: Utah Code § 78B-5-818 |
| Insurance system | No-fault · At least $3,000 per person in PIP medical benefits is required, plus lost income (the lesser of $250 a week or 85% of gross income, up to 52 weeks), up to $1,500 for funeral costs and a $3,000 death benefit (Utah Code § 31A-22-307). |
| Minimum liability insurance | $30,000 per person / $65,000 per accident bodily injury; $25,000 property damage Source: Utah Code § 31A-22-304(2) |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Not required (usually offered; you may reject it in writing) |
| Damage caps | No general cap on damages in car accident cases against private drivers. Claims against government entities are capped by statute (Utah Code § 63G-7-604), and the amounts are adjusted every two years. Medical malpractice has separate noneconomic damage caps. |
| Reporting a crash | If a crash causes apparent property damage of $2,500 or more, the driver must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement office by the quickest means available. In crashes with injury or death, drivers must stop at the scene and give information and help. Police reports are filed by the investigating agency. |
Getting your crash report in Utah
For Utah Highway Patrol crashes, request the report through the Department of Public Safety's GovQA records portal. You need to create an account to verify your identity, then enter the date, location and case number if you have it. You get an email when it is ready. For city police or sheriff crashes, ask that agency. Official request page
Checking a Utah lawyer
Before you sign anything, confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the official state search, and ask for the fee agreement in writing. Our guide on choosing and verifying a lawyer lists what to ask.
- License search: Utah State Bar – Member Directory
- Lawyer referral: Utah State Bar – Licensed Lawyer referral
277 people died in motor vehicle crashes in Utah in 2024, according to NHTSA FARS – State crashes and all victims.
Frequently asked questions
›What does Utah PIP pay after a crash?
At least $3,000 per person in medical benefits, plus lost income (the lesser of $250 a week or 85% of gross income, up to 52 weeks), up to $1,500 for funeral costs and a $3,000 death benefit (Utah Code § 31A-22-307). Your own insurer pays these regardless of fault.
›What did Utah's 2025 insurance change do?
For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, minimum liability limits are $30,000 per person, $65,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage (Utah Code § 31A-22-304(2)). Before that, the minimum was 25/65/15. A $90,000 combined single limit is also allowed.
›How long do I have to file suit after a Utah crash?
Generally 4 years for injuries (Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4)) and 4 years for vehicle damage (§ 78B-2-307(3)). Wrongful death claims generally have 2 years, usually from the date of death (§ 78B-2-304(3)).
›What is the notice of claim rule for Utah government entities?
Under the Governmental Immunity Act, you generally must file a written notice of claim within 1 year after the claim arises (Utah Code § 63G-7-401, 63G-7-402). You then wait for the entity to respond, or 60 days, and file suit within the separate deadline that follows. Damages against government entities are capped (§ 63G-7-604).
›When must I call police after a property-damage-only crash?
If the crash causes apparent property damage of $2,500 or more, the driver must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement office by the quickest means available (Utah Code § 41-6a-401). In crashes with injury or death, drivers must stop at the scene and give information and help.
Sources
- Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 2, Part 3 (Limitations)
- Utah Code § 78B-5-818 (Comparative negligence)
- Utah Code § 31A-22-307 (PIP benefits)
- Utah Code § 31A-22-309 (Limitations on tort actions)
- Utah Code § 31A-22-304 (Justia, 2025)
- Utah Code § 63G-7-402 (Notice of claim deadline)
- Utah Code § 41-6a-401 (Accident reporting)
- Utah Highway Patrol – Get a crash or police report
- Utah State Bar – Find a Lawyer
- NHTSA FARS – State crashes and all victims