Utah Car Accident Terms, Defined

Plain-English definitions of the insurance and legal terms you’ll run into after a Utah car accident.

PIP (Personal Injury Protection)

No-fault coverage that pays your first medical bills (and some lost wages) after a crash regardless of who was at fault. Utah requires a minimum of $3,000.

No-fault

A system where your own insurer pays your initial medical costs after a crash before fault is decided. Utah is a no-fault state for PIP purposes.

Modified comparative fault

Utah’s rule that you can recover damages only if you were less than 50% at fault, with your recovery reduced by your percentage of fault.

Statute of limitations

The legal deadline to file a claim. In Utah it’s generally four years for personal injury and three years for property damage (shorter for claims against government entities).

UM/UIM coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy that pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance, too little, or can’t be identified (including hit-and-run).

Liability limits (25/65/15)

Utah’s minimum required auto coverage: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage — often far less than a serious crash costs.

Contingency fee

A fee arrangement where the attorney is paid a percentage of your recovery only if you win — no upfront cost, and no fee if there’s no recovery.

Economic damages

Measurable financial losses from a crash: medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage.

Non-economic damages

Compensation for losses without a receipt — pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.

Medical lien

An agreement where a provider treats you now and is paid later from your settlement, so you can get care without paying out of pocket.

Subrogation

When an insurer that paid your bills seeks reimbursement from the at-fault party or settlement. It can affect how much you ultimately keep.

Demand letter

A formal letter to the insurer laying out your injuries, damages, and the amount you’re seeking — usually the start of settlement negotiations.

Adjuster

The insurance employee who investigates your claim and decides what the company offers. The at-fault insurer’s adjuster works to minimize the payout.

Total loss & diminished value

A vehicle is a “total loss” when repairs exceed its value. “Diminished value” is the lost resale value of a repaired car after an accident.