The short answer
- You generally have 4 years to file a lawsuit. Utah Code §78B-2-307; 3 years for property damage.
- Utah uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. Found 50% or more at fault, and you recover nothing.
- Utah is a no-fault state. PIP pays first, and minimum insurance recently increased.
Last checked 1 July 2026
Utah’s four-year deadline is unusually generous, and its no-fault system recently got a meaningful insurance-minimum increase worth knowing about if you’re relying on older information.
Four years to file sounds like plenty of room. The insurance minimums that actually determine what's available to you just changed — that's the detail worth double-checking.
Utah car accident laws at a glance
| Rule | What applies in Utah | Statute | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline to file an injury lawsuit | 4 years | Utah Code §78B-2-307 | Read more |
| Fault rule | Modified comparative negligence, 50% bar | Utah Code §78B-5-818 | Read more |
| Insurance system and minimums | No-fault PIP, 2025 minimum increase | Utah Code §31A-22-309 | Read more |
| Notice to a government body | Varies by body, see the section | See the section | Read more |
Last checked 1 July 2026. Each row links to the section that explains it, with the statute.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Utah?
Under Utah Code §78B-2-307, you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit — among the longer deadlines in the country. Property damage claims have a shorter, three-year window. Claims against a government entity require notice within just one year (Utah Code §63G-7-402).
What if I was partly at fault in Utah?
Under Utah Code §78B-5-818, you can recover damages if you’re found less than 50% at fault, reduced by your percentage. At 50% or more, you recover nothing.
What car insurance does Utah require?
Utah is a no-fault state — PIP (minimum $3,000) pays your medical costs first, regardless of fault, until your injuries meet a severity threshold that lets you sue the at-fault driver. Effective January 1, 2025, Utah’s minimum liability limits rose to 30/65/25: $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
RelatedNo-fault states explainedHow the broader no-fault concept works nationally.
How this plays out in a real claim
Take an intersection collision where fault is genuinely disputed. If an insurer or court assigns you 40% of the blame, Utah’s rule still lets you recover 60% of your damages. But if that assessment creeps to 50% or above, the claim is barred entirely under Utah’s rule — not reduced, eliminated. That single threshold is exactly why insurers have a real incentive to push a borderline case just over the line rather than simply discount what they pay.
What mistake should I avoid after a crash in Utah?
Because a single percentage point at the 50% threshold can be the entire difference between a reduced payout and nothing at all, careless statements at the scene or to an adjuster carry more weight here than in a pure comparative state. Avoid speculating about fault, even casually, until the full picture — police report, witnesses, any available footage — is in front of you.
What if a government vehicle or agency was involved?
Utah requires written notice of claim within one year under the Governmental Immunity Act (Utah Code §63G-7-402) — separate from, and much shorter than, the four-year deadline for an ordinary negligence claim. After filing notice you must wait at least 60 days before suing, and the overall deadline to file suit is two years from when the claim arose (§63G-7-403).
What is the deadline if the crash caused a death?
Utah sets a separate two-year deadline for wrongful death, measured from the date of death rather than from the date of the accident (Utah Code §78B-2-304(2)) — distinct from the four-year window that applies to an ordinary injury claim in this state.
Beyond the deadline and the fault rule
The statute of limitations and the fault rule above decide whether you have a claim and how much of it survives — they don’t decide what the claim is actually worth, or whether it’s worth handling yourself. For that, see our guides on what affects a settlement, who pays your medical bills while a claim is pending, and whether Utah law makes a lawyer worth it for your specific situation.
When should I talk to a lawyer in Utah?
If your injuries might clear the threshold to step outside no-fault, a conversation with a qualified lawyer can help clarify what’s available.
- 4-year deadline to file; 3 years for property damage — generous by national standards.
- Modified comparative negligence: 50% at fault or more bars recovery.
- No-fault: PIP pays first ($3,000 minimum), with a severity threshold to sue.
- Minimum liability insurance rose to 30/65/25 effective January 1, 2025.
Common questions
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Utah?
Generally four years from the date of the accident (Utah Code §78B-2-307). Property damage claims have a shorter, three-year deadline.
What happens if I was partly at fault in Utah?
You can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault, as long as you're found less than 50% at fault. At 50% or more, Utah law bars you from recovering anything.
Is Utah a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own PIP coverage (minimum $3,000) pays first regardless of fault. To sue the at-fault driver, your injuries need to meet a severity threshold.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Utah?
As of January 1, 2025, Utah requires 30/65/25 liability coverage: $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
What if a government vehicle or agency caused the crash in Utah?
Utah requires written notice of claim within one year under the Governmental Immunity Act (Utah Code §63G-7-402) — separate from, and much shorter than, the four-year deadline for an ordinary negligence claim. After filing notice you must wait at least 60 days before suing, and the overall deadline to file suit is two years from when the claim arose (§63G-7-403).
How long do I have to bring a wrongful death claim in Utah?
Utah sets a separate two-year deadline for wrongful death, measured from the date of death rather than from the date of the accident (Utah Code §78B-2-304(2)) — distinct from the four-year window that applies to an ordinary injury claim in this state.
What mistake should I avoid after a crash in Utah?
Because a single percentage point at the 50% threshold can be the entire difference between a reduced payout and nothing at all, careless statements at the scene or to an adjuster carry more weight here than in a pure comparative state. Avoid speculating about fault, even casually, until the full picture — police report, witnesses, any available footage — is in front of you.
How does the Utah fault rule work in a real claim?
Take an intersection collision where fault is genuinely disputed. If an insurer or court assigns you 40% of the blame, Utah's rule still lets you recover 60% of your damages. But if that assessment creeps to 50% or above, the claim is barred entirely under Utah's rule — not reduced, eliminated. That single threshold is exactly why insurers have a real incentive to push a borderline case just over the line rather than simply discount what they pay.
When is it worth talking to a lawyer in Utah?
If your injuries might clear the threshold to step outside no-fault, a conversation with a qualified lawyer can help clarify what's available.
Sources
Written by The Accident Advisory editorial team from the sources below.
- Utah Code §78B-2-307 — four-year statute of limitations.
- Utah Code §78B-5-818 — modified comparative negligence, 50% bar.
- Utah Code §31A-22-309 — no-fault injury-severity thresholds.
- Utah Code §31A-22-304 (as amended, eff. 1 Jan 2025) — minimum liability insurance limits.
The Accident Advisory provides free, general information and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page reflects Utah law as of the "last checked" date shown below and may not reflect subsequent changes. Always confirm current law or speak with a licensed Utah attorney before relying on this for a decision.