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Utah accident law

Utah car accident settlement calculator

Utah is a no-fault state that uses modified comparative negligence, 50% bar. You generally have 4 years to file an injury lawsuit. The calculator below applies these rules to your numbers.

Checked against official sources November 5, 20264 cited sourcesHow we calculate

Injury lawsuit deadline4 yearsUtah Code 78B-2-307(3), (4); 78B-2-305(1)(c)(ii) (as reenacted by 2026 H.B. 260); 78B-2-304(2); 63G-7-402
Fault ruleModified (50% bar)Utah Code 78B-5-818(2)
Insurance systemNo-faultPIP required
Minimum liability30/65/25thousands of dollars

Utah settlement estimate

How serious is the injury?
Moderate: months of treatment, full recovery. Typical multiplier 2 to 3.
Applied to your medical bills. Set by the injury above, adjust if you like.
Leave at 0 if unknown.
Lawyer fee, costs and liens
Estimated amount to you
$46,500

Likely range depends on the injury

Economic damages
$16,500
Pain and suffering
$30,000
Injury claim value
$46,500
After your share of fault
$46,500
Attorney fee and costs
$0
Liens repaid
$0

Utah: Modified comparative negligence, 50% bar, no-fault state.

An estimate, not legal advice. Deadlines can be shorter in some situations, for example for claims against a city or state agency. Talk to a Utah attorney about your case.

Utah filing deadlines

ClaimDeadline
Personal injury lawsuit4 years
Vehicle and property damage4 years
Wrongful death2 years
Notice of a claim against a governmentNotice of claim against a governmental entity or employee must be filed within one year after the claim arises (Utah Code 63G-7-402)
Utah Code 78B-2-307(3), (4); 78B-2-305(1)(c)(ii) (as reenacted by 2026 H.B. 260); 78B-2-304(2); 63G-7-402. Counted from the accident date in most cases.

Personal injury from negligence falls under the 4-year catch-all of 78B-2-307(4) (no specific personal injury section).

If you were partly at fault

Utah follows modified comparative negligence, 50% bar. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you were at least as much at fault as the other side (50% or more).

  • With $100,000 in damages and 30% of the fault, you would recover $70,000.
  • With 55% of the fault, you would recover $0, because the rule bars your claim.

Defendants' combined fault must EXCEED the plaintiff's, so a plaintiff at 50% recovers nothing.

Source: Utah Code 78B-5-818(2). Compare all states in the comparative negligence table.

No-fault state

Your own personal injury protection pays your medical bills and lost wages first, with a required minimum of $3,000 per person medical expenses (plus lost income up to the lesser of $250/week or 85%, $20/day household services, $1,500 funeral, $3,000 death benefit). The threshold to claim pain and suffering from the at-fault driver: Can sue for general (pain and suffering) damages only with death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment based on objective findings, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or medical expenses over $3,000

Listed exceptions in 31A-22-309(1)(a): death; dismemberment; permanent disability or permanent impairment based upon objective findings; permanent disfigurement; a bone fracture; or medical expenses in excess of $3,000. The threshold does not apply to uninsured motorist claims.

Minimum car insurance in Utah

$30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage, effective January 1, 2025. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional or can be rejected in writing.

Many drivers carry only the minimum, so the bodily injury limit is often the most the at-fault driver's insurer will pay one person. (ii) $65,000 per accident and (iii) $25,000 property damage, or $90,000 combined single limit. Previously 25/65/15 for policies issued or renewed on or before Dec 31, 2024.

Damage caps

Utah does not cap pain and suffering in ordinary car accident cases.

Dog bite law

Strict liability statute. Covers any injury caused by the dog; damages apportioned under comparative fault (78B-5-818). Exceptions for certified law enforcement dogs and certain other situations in 18-1-1(2)-(3).

Source: Utah Code 18-1-1. Estimate a claim with the dog bite calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Utah?

4 years from the accident for an injury lawsuit and 4 years for vehicle damage (Utah Code 78B-2-307(3), (4); 78B-2-305(1)(c)(ii) (as reenacted by 2026 H.B. 260); 78B-2-304(2); 63G-7-402). Insurance claims should be reported much sooner, and claims against a government agency can have shorter notice deadlines.

Is Utah a no-fault state?

Yes. Your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and lost wages first, whoever was at fault. To sue for pain and suffering: Can sue for general (pain and suffering) damages only with death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment based on objective findings, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or medical expenses over $3,000

What happens if I was partly at fault in Utah?

Utah follows modified comparative negligence, 50% bar (Utah Code 78B-5-818(2)). Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you were at least as much at fault as the other side (50% or more).

What is the minimum car insurance in Utah?

$30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage (30/65/25), effective January 1, 2025.

Does Utah cap pain and suffering damages?

Not in ordinary car accident cases.

Sources

Checked against official Utah sources November 5, 2026.

  1. Utah statute of limitations: Utah Code 78B-2-307(3), (4); 78B-2-305(1)(c)(ii) (as reenacted by 2026 H.B. 260); 78B-2-304(2); 63G-7-402
  2. Utah comparative fault: Utah Code 78B-5-818(2)
  3. Utah insurance system: Utah Code 31A-22-302 (required PIP), 31A-22-307(1)(a), 31A-22-309(1)(a)
  4. Utah dog bite liability: Utah Code 18-1-1