Personal Injury Lawyers in Utah

Utah’s general statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years from the date of the accident, under Utah Code §78B-2-307 — giving victims more time than many other states. However, important exceptions apply. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death under §78B-2-304. If your case involves a government entity — such as a city vehicle, a state-maintained roadway, or a public transit authority — you must file a formal notice of claim within one year before you can pursue litigation. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently eliminate your right to compensation, so early consultation with an attorney is always the safest approach.

Yes, significantly. Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule under Utah Code §78B-5-818, which means your compensation is reduced proportionally based on your share of responsibility for the accident. If you are found 10% at fault, your award is reduced by 10%. Critically, if your fault reaches 50% or more, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. Insurance companies routinely attempt to inflate the claimant’s percentage of fault to reduce what they owe. An experienced attorney will gather evidence — including police reports, surveillance footage, witness accounts, and expert analysis — to accurately establish fault and protect your full recovery.

Utah law permits injured victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible financial losses such as medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property repair or replacement costs. Non-economic damages address the less tangible — but equally real — impact of your injuries, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship. In rare cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, the court may also award punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of an accident can meaningfully impact the outcome of your claim. First and most importantly, seek medical evaluation right away — even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including concussions, internal trauma, and soft tissue damage, do not present symptoms immediately but can worsen without treatment, and a gap in medical care can be used against you. Document everything at the scene: take photos and videos, gather contact information from witnesses, and obtain the police report number. Do not discuss fault at the scene or give recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

The majority of personal injury cases in Utah are resolved through settlement negotiations, meaning most clients never set foot in a courtroom. Insurance companies generally prefer to avoid the uncertainty and cost of a trial. That said, not every insurer negotiates in good faith — and in cases involving serious injuries, high claim values, or strongly contested liability, litigation may be the only path to a fair result. When you work with our firm, you have the assurance of attorneys who are fully prepared to take your case to trial and have a proven record of doing so successfully.

No single formula determines the value of a personal injury claim. Attorneys and courts examine a range of factors including the nature and severity of your injuries, whether they are permanent or temporary, the total cost of your medical treatment, how your injuries have affected your ability to work and earn income, the degree of the other party’s negligence, and the physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on your daily life. Insurance companies use their own internal models to minimize payouts, which is why having an attorney who independently evaluates — and aggressively argues — the true value of your claim is so important.

Absolutely. Our firm — and most personal injury attorneys in Utah — operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing to get started and owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. All upfront costs related to building your case, including filing fees, expert witness fees, and investigation expenses, are advanced by the firm. This model was designed specifically so that injured people are never priced out of quality legal representation. Your financial situation should never be the reason you don’t pursue justice.

To have a valid personal injury claim in Utah, four core elements generally need to be established: (1) the other party owed you a duty of care, such as a driver’s obligation to follow traffic laws; (2) they breached that duty through negligent or reckless conduct; (3) that breach directly caused your injury; and (4) you suffered measurable damages as a result. If all four elements are present, you likely have a compensable claim. The best way to determine the strength of your case is to speak directly with a personal injury attorney during a free consultation, where your specific circumstances can be evaluated in detail.