How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Utah?

Most Utah personal injury cases take between 6 months and 2 years from the date of the crash to resolution. The timeline depends on the severity of injuries, how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), and whether the case settles or goes to trial.

Key Stages and Their Typical Timelines

• Medical treatment and reaching MMI: 2 to 12 months. You should not settle before you know the full extent of your injuries. Settling early can leave future medical costs uncompensated.
• Demand letter and insurance negotiation: 1 to 3 months after treatment ends. Your attorney sends a demand letter to the at-fault driver's insurer. The insurer responds, often with a low initial offer. Negotiation typically resolves most cases.
• Filing a lawsuit (if needed): If settlement fails, a lawsuit is filed. Utah's 4th Judicial District (Utah County) and 3rd District (Salt Lake County) have varying docket timelines. Plan for 12 to 18 additional months from filing to trial.
• Trial: Most cases settle before trial. Fewer than 5% of personal injury cases in Utah go to a jury verdict.

What Slows a Case Down

• Disputed liability (both sides argue the other was at fault)
• Serious or permanent injuries with ongoing treatment
• Uninsured or underinsured defendant (claims against your own UM/UIM policy take longer)
• Government entity involvement (UDOT, city vehicles) -- requires pre-suit notice and extended investigation

BAM Injury Law handles every case personally. Kigan Martineau communicates case status directly with clients and does not hand files to paralegals or junior associates. Call (801) 839-5652 for a free consultation.