Is Utah a No-Fault State?

Utah operates under a modified no-fault insurance system. Every driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $3,000. After a car accident, your own PIP coverage pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. However, Utah law allows accident victims to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver when the injury meets certain thresholds.

Utah's No-Fault Threshold

Under Utah Code Section 31A-22-309, you can sue the at-fault driver when:

• Your medical expenses exceed $3,000
• You suffered a permanent disability or impairment
• You suffered permanent disfigurement
• You suffered a bone fracture

If your injuries meet any of these thresholds, you are no longer limited to your PIP benefits. You can pursue the at-fault driver's liability insurance for full compensation including pain and suffering, which PIP does not cover.

What PIP Covers in Utah

Utah PIP pays up to $3,000 in medical expenses and 85% of lost wages (up to $250 per week) for injuries sustained in a crash, regardless of fault. PIP covers you, your passengers, and household members injured in your vehicle. It also covers you if you are struck as a pedestrian.

What PIP Does Not Cover

PIP does not pay for pain and suffering, property damage, or medical costs above the $3,000 limit. Once your PIP is exhausted, your health insurance may cover additional medical costs, but you remain entitled to seek those amounts from the at-fault driver's liability policy if your injuries meet the threshold.

How No-Fault Rules Affect Your Claim

Insurance adjusters frequently use no-fault rules to minimize payouts. They may claim your injuries do not meet the $3,000 threshold, dispute your medical bills, or argue that your injuries are pre-existing. An experienced personal injury attorney can document your damages, establish the threshold has been met, and pursue the at-fault driver's insurer for full compensation.

Talk to a Utah Car Accident Lawyer

BAM Injury Law handles car accident claims throughout Utah, including Murray, Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden. Attorney Kigan Martineau can evaluate whether your injuries exceed the no-fault threshold and advise you on the best path to full compensation. The firm works on a contingency fee basis with no fee unless your case is won. Call (801) 839-5652 for a free consultation, or visit our Utah car accident lawyer page to learn more about your options.