Utah is a no-fault state, so your own PIP coverage (minimum $3,000, Utah Code § 31A-22-309) pays initial medical bills regardless of fault. That means after a crash your own policy pays first, even if the other driver caused the wreck.
No-fault sounds simple, but it has important limits — and crossing certain thresholds lets you step outside the system and pursue the at-fault driver directly for full damages including pain and suffering.
What PIP covers
- Reasonable medical expenses up to your policy limit.
- A portion of lost wages if you cannot work.
- Essential household services you cannot perform.
- Funeral expenses in fatal cases.
When you can step outside no-fault and sue
Utah lets injured people pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver when medical expenses exceed the statutory threshold or when the injury involves permanent disability, permanent impairment, dismemberment, or permanent disfigurement. Serious injuries almost always clear this bar.
PIP pays your bills quickly but does not compensate you for pain, suffering, or the full value of a serious injury. For that, you usually need a liability claim against the driver who hurt you.
Why you still need a lawyer in a no-fault state
PIP is a floor, not a ceiling. A lawyer coordinates your PIP benefits, health insurance, and liability claim so bills are paid now and the full value of your injury is pursued later — without you accidentally signing away rights to your own insurer.
Injured in Utah? Injury Claim Team connects you with experienced personal injury attorneys across the state. Call 973-566-5599 for a free, confidential case review — available 24/7, no fee unless you win.