What Happens After a Car Accident in Utah?

A car accident—whether it’s a small fender bender or something more serious—can feel overwhelming. Utah has specific rules for reporting accidents, using no-fault benefits, dealing with insurance companies, and determining who is responsible for paying what. The more you understand about the process, the easier it is to protect yourself, avoid delays, and make sure your claim goes smoothly.

If you’re evaluating your current policy or want to be sure you're not overpaying after a recent accident, iDriveSure makes it easy to compare options tailored to Utah drivers.

1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Safety always comes first. Check yourself, passengers, and anyone in the other vehicle. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even minor injuries can worsen without quick medical attention.

If the accident is minor and the vehicles can be moved, Utah encourages drivers to safely pull to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic.

2. Call Law Enforcement (When Required)

In Utah, you must report an accident if:

• Someone is injured
• Someone is killed
• Property damage appears to exceed $2,500

Even in small crashes, having an official police report can help settle disagreements about fault.

3. Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Get the following from all involved drivers:

• Name and contact information
• Driver license number
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Make, model, and year of the vehicle

Avoid discussing fault at the scene. Stick to the facts only.

4. Document the Scene

The more evidence you gather, the easier the claims process will be.

Take photos of:

• Vehicle damage
• Road conditions
• Skid marks
• Traffic signals/signs
• License plates

If anyone witnessed the crash, get their names and contact details.

5. Seek Medical Care If Needed

Even minor collisions can cause injuries that show up later, like headaches, back pain, or stiffness. Utah’s no-fault system allows your own PIP coverage to help pay for immediate medical expenses—no matter who caused the crash.

If you need a refresher on how no-fault works, see our article on Utah’s PIP and fault rules (Draft #2).

6. Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the accident as soon as you can.

Your insurer will guide you through:

• PIP benefits
• Vehicle repair process
• Determining fault
• Next steps based on the type of coverage you carry

If you feel your premiums were already too high before the accident, this guide may help:

4 signs you’re overpaying for car insurance.

7. Understand How Utah Determines Fault

Utah is a no-fault state for medical coverage, but fault still matters for:

• Vehicle repairs
• Higher medical costs
• Liability claims
• Lawsuits for serious injuries

Insurers use photos, statements, police reports, and vehicle damage to decide who was responsible.

8. Use PIP Coverage for Early Medical Bills

Your PIP coverage may provide at least $3,000 for medical treatment, regardless of fault. This helps cover immediate expenses quickly while the rest of the claim is reviewed.

9. Coordinate Vehicle Repairs

Repairs depend on fault and the type of coverage you have:

• If the other driver is at fault → their liability coverage may pay
• If you are at fault → your collision coverage (if you added it) may pay
• If fault is unclear → you may start repairs through your own policy and let insurers sort out reimbursement

If your car is totaled, the insurer pays the actual cash value of your vehicle (minus your deductible if collision coverage applies).

10. Follow Up Until the Claim Is Fully Resolved

Keep copies of:

• Medical bills
• Repair estimates
• Receipts
• Correspondence with insurers

Accidents can take weeks or months to fully process, depending on injuries and complexity. Staying organized speeds things up.