Understanding Utah’s Car Accident Laws: No-Fault (PIP) and Comparative Fault Rules Explained

Utah is one of only a handful of states that uses a no-fault insurance system for car accidents, while also applying a modified comparative fault rule when lawsuits are involved. If you’ve been injured in a crash, it’s important to understand how these two systems interact—because what you say and do after an accident can affect whether you’re limited to insurance benefits or able to pursue broader damages.

Is Utah a No-Fault State? The Short Answer

Yes. Utah requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and after a crash your own PIP coverage pays your initial medical bills and certain other losses no matter who was at fault. You can only pursue a claim against the at-fault driver—for pain and suffering and other broader damages—once your injuries cross Utah’s serious injury threshold. This guide explains how PIP works, when you can step outside no-fault, how comparative fault affects your recovery, and the minimum coverage Utah drivers must carry.

Utah’s No-Fault Insurance: Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Under Utah’s no-fault system, your own insurance—specifically Personal Injury Protection (PIP)—pays for certain damages, no matter who caused the accident.

What Does PIP Cover?

According to Utah Code §31A-22-307, minimum PIP benefits include:

• At least $3,000 in medical expenses per person
• Lost wages – the lesser of $250 per week or 85% of gross income lost
• Household services – up to $20 per day if you can’t perform normal tasks
• Funeral and burial expenses – up to $1,500
• Wrongful death benefit – up to $3,000 payable to heirs

For a deeper dive into PIP benefits, see our post: Understanding PIP Insurance Coverage in Utah.

How a PIP Claim Works After a Crash

Because PIP is no-fault, you file it with your own insurer, not the other driver’s. To protect your benefits: report the crash to your insurance company promptly, seek medical care right away and follow your treatment plan, and keep every bill and record. PIP pays up to your policy limits regardless of who caused the collision—and only once those limits are exhausted, or your injuries meet the serious-injury threshold below, does the at-fault driver’s liability coverage come into play.

Stepping Outside No-Fault: Utah’s Serious Injury Threshold

PIP has limits. It won’t cover pain and suffering, long-term disability, or emotional distress. To file a claim against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Utah’s serious injury threshold under Utah Code §31A-22-309:

• At least $3,000 in medical bills
• Permanent disability or impairment
• Permanent disfigurement (scarring, burns, etc.)
• Dismemberment (loss of a body part)

If you meet these requirements, you may pursue a third-party claim for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.

Comparative Fault: Utah’s “50% Rule”

Utah also follows a modified comparative fault law (Utah Code §78B-5-817 to 823):

• You can only recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault.
• If you’re found 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover compensation.
• If you’re partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: If your damages total $100,000 but you are found 30% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000.

Learn more: Understanding Utah’s Modified Comparative Fault Law.

Utah’s Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Utah law sets minimum liability insurance limits that every driver must carry:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $65,000 total for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Driving without insurance remains a Class B misdemeanor, with fines starting at $400 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations. Because the legislature adjusts these requirements periodically, see our dedicated guide to Utah’s current car accident laws and insurance minimums for the latest figures, and our breakdown of how to file an auto insurance claim in Utah.

Why These Laws Matter for Your Claim

Insurance companies know these laws well—and they often use them to reduce payouts by:

• Disputing whether your injuries meet the serious injury threshold
• Arguing you were 50% or more at fault
• Minimizing long-term damages like lost earning capacity

Working with a skilled Utah car accident attorney ensures your claim is properly documented, fault is fairly assigned, and you aren’t pressured into accepting less than you deserve. Also read: What Not to Say to Insurance After a Utah Car Crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PIP cover pain and suffering?

No. PIP covers medical bills, a portion of lost wages, household services, and certain other economic losses—but not pain and suffering. To recover for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the serious-injury threshold so you can bring a claim against the at-fault driver.

Is Utah no-fault for property damage too?

No. The no-fault system applies to injury claims. Vehicle and property damage is handled on a traditional fault basis, so the at-fault driver’s property-damage liability coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle.

What happens if I’m partly at fault?

Under Utah’s modified comparative fault rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you are 50% or more at fault.

How much PIP coverage must I carry?

Utah requires a minimum of $3,000 in PIP medical benefits per person, along with the lost-wage, household-service, funeral, and death benefits set out in § 31A-22-307.

Get Legal Help After a Utah Car Accident

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, don’t let Utah’s complicated no-fault and comparative fault rules keep you from getting the compensation you need. At London Harker Injury Law, we help Utah accident victims use their PIP benefits, step outside no-fault when their injuries qualify, and push back against insurance tactics. Call 77CARCRASH for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights.