What Happens If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Utah?
Getting hit by a driver who has no insurance feels like a dead end. The person responsible has nothing to collect from. But in Utah, an uninsured driver is often not the end of your options. Between the state’s no-fault system and coverage you may already carry, there is frequently a real path to compensation.
You may still be covered. Utah’s no-fault (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of fault, and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can step in to cover the rest, as if it were the at-fault driver’s policy.
First, Utah’s no-fault system
Utah is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your initial medical expenses and certain losses no matter who caused the crash. That coverage kicks in immediately, so your early treatment does not have to wait on a fight over fault.
Uninsured vs. underinsured coverage
Two types of coverage on your own policy do the heavy lifting when the other driver cannot pay:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) covers you when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, or in a hit-and-run where the driver is never found.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) covers the gap when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your full losses.
- PIP handles your first medical costs up front, before the larger claim is resolved.
What to do after a crash with an uninsured driver
Call the police and get a report
An official report documenting that the other driver was uninsured is critical for a UM claim, especially in a hit-and-run.
Get medical care right away
Your PIP coverage is there to pay for it, and prompt treatment protects both your health and your claim.
Notify your own insurer, carefully
You will likely file a UM/UIM claim with your own company. Remember: even your own insurer’s goal is to limit the payout, so be factual and brief.
Talk to an attorney before you settle
UM/UIM claims can be surprisingly adversarial. A lawyer makes sure your own policy actually pays what it should.
Your own insurer is not automatically on your side. A UM/UIM claim is still a claim. The company may dispute your injuries or your losses just like any other insurer. Do not assume “your” company will simply pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have uninsured motorist coverage in Utah?
Many Utah policies include it, and insurers are generally required to offer it, though you can decline it in writing. Check your declarations page, or have an attorney review your policy for you.
What if it was a hit-and-run?
A hit-and-run is typically treated as an uninsured-motorist claim. A prompt police report is especially important, since there is no other driver’s policy to pursue.
Will making a UM claim raise my rates?
Using coverage you paid for when you were not at fault should not fairly count against you. If you are worried, an attorney can advise you before you file.
Uninsured driver? You may still have a claim.
Let us review your coverage and options for free. Robert J. DeBry & Associates serves injured Utahns statewide. No fee unless we win.
This article is general information about the personal injury process in Utah and is not legal advice. Coverage depends on your specific policy, and outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Speak with a licensed Utah attorney about your situation.