Utah car accident statute of limitations: four years, one big catch
The Utah car accident statute of limitations gives four years. Call free to see if you can sue.
Utah gives you four years to sue, longer than most states. The catch is no-fault insurance. You cannot sue for pain and suffering unless your medical bills pass $3,000 or the injury is serious, under section 31A-22-309.
The deadlines in Utah
| What | Time limit | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Injury lawsuit | Four years | Utah Code 78B-2-307(4) |
| Car or property damage lawsuit | Four years | Utah Code 78B-2-307(3) |
| No-fault threshold to sue for pain | Over $3,000 in medical bills or a serious injury | Utah Code 31A-22-309 |
| Shared fault | Barred at 50 percent or more | Utah Code 78B-5-818 |
| Minimum liability cover | $30,000 / $65,000 / $25,000 | Utah Code 31A-22-304 |
| Notice of claim to a government body | One year | Utah Code 63G-7-402 |
How Utah’s no-fault rule shapes your claim
A Utah car policy must include personal injury protection or PIP, plus uninsured and underinsured motorist cover unless you waived them, under section 31A-22-302. PIP pays at least $3,000 per person toward medical care, plus part of lost wages, under section 31A-22-307.
Stepping outside that system to sue for pain takes a qualifying injury. Medical bills over $3,000 count. So do a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability or impairment, dismemberment or death.
Utah deadlines that run shorter or pause
A death claim has only two years, under section 78B-2-304. Crashes with a state truck or city car are tighter still. A notice of claim must be filed within one year or the claim is barred, under section 63G-7-402.
For a child, the clock does not run until age 18, under section 78B-2-108.
Why a tie on fault loses in Utah
Utah lets you recover only when the other side’s fault is greater than yours, under section 78B-5-818. Split the blame 50/50 and you get nothing. At 30 percent, you keep 70 percent of the award.
Getting a Utah car accident lawyer on the phone
Four years sounds roomy, but bills over the threshold must be shown and evidence fades. An attorney can check whether you clear the PIP line and which insurer owes what. Liability limits rose to $30,000 per person for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, under section 31A-22-304. The call is free and the lawyer is paid only if you win.
Other states: Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming or every state on one page.
Utah car accident statute of limitations questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Utah?
Four years for injury and for vehicle damage, under section 78B-2-307. A wrongful death claim has two years.
Is Utah a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own PIP pays the first medical bills. You can sue the other driver for pain only after passing the $3,000 or serious-injury line.
Can I sue if I was half at fault in Utah?
No. You must be less at fault than the other side to recover anything.
What if a Utah city vehicle hit me?
File a written notice of claim within one year. Missing it can end the claim.
Before the clock runs out
In Utah, a 50/50 fault split pays nothing and PIP limits who can sue at all. Call before you sign a release and a lawyer will look at your bills and the offer free.
Call about my deadline(833) 716-6705
We pick up 24/7, go over your crash free and connect a car accident lawyer with no fee unless you win.