The first steps after a car accident in Utah are to prioritize safety and move your vehicle out of traffic, call 911 if there are injuries or significant damage, document the scene with photos and witness information, exchange information with the other driver, and seek medical attention within 48 hours.
The steps you take in the first minutes and hours after a crash directly affect your health, your insurance claim, and your legal rights. Whether you are dealing with a fender bender in Salt Lake City or a serious crash on I-15 near Provo, knowing what to do protects you from costly mistakes many drivers make under stress. This guide covers Utah-specific laws, mandatory reporting requirements, and a practical post-accident checklist. It is general information, not legal advice.
Utah’s accident laws create specific obligations for every driver involved in a collision. Understanding them helps you avoid penalties and strengthens any future insurance or personal injury claim.
Utah law requires reporting any accident that causes injury, death, or property damage over $2,500 to law enforcement. Under Utah Code 41-6a-401, drivers must notify police immediately and by the quickest means available when a crash meets this threshold. Without a police report, your documentation is weaker, fault can be disputed, and your insurer may question your claim. If police do not respond, you may need to file a report with the Utah Department of Public Safety. Even for a seemingly minor accident, it is wise to call 911 so an officer creates an official record, and always note the responding officer’s name and badge number.
Utah is a no-fault insurance state, so your own policy covers your initial medical bills regardless of fault through Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Utah requires at least $3,000 in PIP coverage per person. PIP covers necessary medical expenses, a portion of lost wages (the lesser of $250 per week or 85 percent of gross income for up to 52 weeks), and household services. PIP does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. To recover those, your injuries must meet Utah’s serious-injury threshold so you can file a claim against the at-fault driver.
Utah follows a modified comparative fault system. If you are 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other driver. If you are less than 50 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. This is why everything you say and do at the scene matters, since statements can be used to assign fault later.
The moments immediately after a crash determine how well your rights are protected. Here is what to do, step by step.
Move your vehicle out of traffic if possible and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself, your passengers, and the people in the other vehicle for injuries. If anyone is hurt, do not move them unless there is immediate danger such as fire. On busy roads like I-15, staying in a travel lane risks a secondary collision, so move to the shoulder when it is safe.
Call 911 after any accident, even if it seems minor. Utah law requires calling the police when there are injuries or when damage appears to exceed $2,500. Even below that threshold, a police report creates an official record that supports your claim. Give the responding officer factual information, request a copy of the report, and note their name and badge number.
You are legally required to exchange information with the other driver: names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance provider and policy numbers, and vehicle details for every vehicle involved. Gather contact details for any passengers or other parties too. Do not admit fault or say “I’m sorry” or “it was my fault.” Cooperate with police, but stick to observable facts.
Use your smartphone to photograph and video the scene: vehicle damage from multiple angles, road conditions, traffic signals and signs, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries. Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses, and note the time, date, and location in writing. This evidence becomes essential if fault is disputed or your insurer questions repair or treatment costs later.
The days following a crash are just as important as the scene. Delays in this window are among the most common mistakes that hurt accident claims.
Some injuries, like concussions, whiplash, and internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away and can worsen without care.
Utah’s no-fault system means your PIP coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of fault, but you must file a claim to access those benefits.
Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, so be deliberate about what you agree to.
Even when you do everything right, obstacles can arise during the claims process. Here are the most common ones Utah accident victims face.
If the at-fault driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in. Utah law requires auto policies to include UM coverage unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. As of January 2025, minimum UM limits are $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can cover the gap when the other driver’s limits are not enough.
Utah regulations require insurers to provide a substantive response within 15 days of a request and to accept or deny a claim within 30 days unless an investigation is ongoing. If your insurer is delaying or denying improperly, document all communications, request written explanations for any denial, and consult an attorney.
Soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal injuries frequently show no symptoms at first. A medical evaluation close to the crash date establishes a connection between the accident and your injuries, and follow-up appointments create a documented timeline that keeps adjusters from arguing your condition is unrelated.
Consider contacting a personal injury lawyer when:
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless you recover compensation, and a free consultation lets an attorney evaluate liability, damages, and coverage before you commit to anything.
Time limits matter. Personal injury claims in Utah must be filed within four years of the injury under Utah Code 78B-2-307. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years, and property damage claims within three years. Claims against government entities may have even shorter deadlines.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you have been injured in a Utah car accident, contact Robert J. DeBry & Associates for a free, 24/7 case evaluation.
Yes. Call 911 after any accident, even if it seems minor. Utah law requires reporting crashes involving injury or property damage over $2,500. Even for a small fender bender below the threshold, a police report creates valuable documentation for your insurance claim.
You should seek medical care within 24 to 48 hours. While no Utah statute sets an exact deadline, delaying treatment gives insurance adjusters grounds to argue your injuries are minor or unrelated to the crash.
Your uninsured motorist coverage is designed for this. Utah law requires policies to include UM coverage unless you rejected it in writing, and you may also have underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver’s limits fall short.
Personal injury claims must be filed within four years, wrongful death claims within two years, and property damage claims within three years. Missing these deadlines typically bars you from recovering compensation.
Seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. Some injuries, like concussions, may not show right away. A medical evaluation within 48 hours of the crash helps establish that later-developing conditions are connected to it, so keep all records and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Yes, as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault. Under Utah’s modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. At 50 percent or more, you cannot recover from the other parties.
This is general information, not legal advice. Contacting Robert J. DeBry & Associates or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship.