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Car accidents · statewide

Car Accident in Utah? Start With What You Can Write Down.

Utah is a no-fault state, so your own coverage and your medical records matter from day one.

Quick answers

Quick answers

What should I write down after a car accident?

Date, time, exact location, the vehicles involved and the people in them.

  • Street names or freeway and nearest exit, direction and lane.
  • Each vehicle's plate and each driver's name and insurer.
  • Road conditions — snow, ice, glare, inversion haze.

Utah is no-fault. What does that mean for me?

Your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays first for certain medical and wage losses, regardless of fault — at least $3,000 per person for medical expenses.

  • A claim against the at-fault driver for general damages generally requires a qualifying injury: for example a bone fracture, permanent impairment or disfigurement, or medical expenses over $3,000.
  • Keeping every medical bill and visit in one list matters for that reason.
  • This is general information, not advice about your situation.

Where do I get the Utah accident report?

From the agency that investigated. Utah Highway Patrol reports are requested online through UHP; if a city police department responded, request it from that department.

  • Write down the agency name and any case number the officer gave you.
  • Crash reports are protected records, available to people involved such as drivers, owners, passengers and their insurers.

What if the other driver had no insurance or left the scene?

Uninsured-motorist coverage can apply to uninsured, hit-and-run and unidentified drivers unless it was rejected in writing.

  • Report a hit-and-run to police promptly and keep the case number.

What if a city, county or state vehicle or road was involved?

Claims involving a government entity have a much shorter notice deadline — generally one year for a written notice of claim.

  • Note any government vehicle markings, unit numbers, or road-condition issues as soon as possible.

A short checklist to keep together

It is fine if you don’t have everything yet.

Gather photos or vehicle markings only when it is safe. Never step into traffic or delay emergency help to document anything.

  • Report number and responding agency
  • Photos of vehicles, the scene and conditions
  • Other party, insurer and policy details
  • Witness names and contact details
  • Medical visits and bills so far, in date order
  • A running log of insurer calls and letters
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Questions about getting started?

Sofia is CCL’s automated intake guide. She answers general questions about how to start, what to have ready and what happens next. She can’t see a case, give legal advice or submit anything.

Official sources used on this page

  • Utah Code § 31A-22-307 — No-fault / PIP

    Utah is a no-fault state. Personal injury protection (PIP) must provide at least $3,000 per person for medical expenses, plus limited wage-loss, household-services, funeral and death benefits. Read 2026-09-27.

  • Utah Code § 31A-22-309(1) — When an injury claim can go beyond PIP

    A person covered by PIP generally cannot sue for general damages unless the injury involves death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment based on objective findings, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or medical expenses over $3,000. This limit does not apply to uninsured-motorist claims. Read 2026-09-27.

  • Utah Code § 78B-5-818 — Shared fault

    Utah uses modified comparative fault: a person can recover only if their own share of fault is less than the combined fault of the others, and any recovery is reduced by their share. Read 2026-09-27.

  • Utah Code §§ 31A-22-305, 31A-22-305.3 — Uninsured / underinsured motorist

    Insurers must provide UM and UIM coverage unless the policyholder rejects or reduces it in a signed written form. UM can apply to hit-and-run and unidentified drivers. Read 2026-09-27.

  • Utah Highway Patrol — Getting a report

    Reports for crashes the Utah Highway Patrol investigated are requested online through UHP. Crashes handled by a city police department are requested from that department. Read 2026-09-27.

General information only, not legal or medical advice. CCL is a technology and administrative-support company, not a law firm. Attorney review happens only if an Utah law firm accepts the matter.

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