1. Siegfried & Jensen
Focus Area: Motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, defective drugs, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death
Background: Established in 1990, the firm has over 35 years of experience serving Utah residents. The firm has recovered over $1.2 billion in compensation for clients and handled more than 35,000 claims. Multiple attorneys hold Super Lawyers recognition.
Location: 5664 South Green Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Contact: (801) 266-0999 | https://www.siegfriedandjensen.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation; contingency fee basis with no fees unless the case is won
2. Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Catastrophic injury cases and serious accident claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, wrongful death, nursing home abuse
Background: Over 40 years of experience in Utah personal injury law. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients and maintains five convenient office locations throughout Utah, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT (multiple Utah locations)
Contact: (801) 845-0440 | https://www.parkerandmcconkie.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation with no-fee guarantee; no legal fees charged if the firm does not secure compensation
3. Cutt, Kendell & Olson
Focus Area: Severe injury and catastrophic accident cases
Practice Areas: Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability
Background: The firm has recovered over $800 million for clients and deliberately limits caseloads to provide focused attention to each case. Attorneys have extensive experience presenting cases in Salt Lake County courts and are familiar with local judicial expectations.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: https://www.ckolaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation; the firm operates on a contingency fee basis
4. Younker Hyde Macfarlane
Focus Area: Medical malpractice and serious personal injury
Practice Areas: Medical malpractice, birth injuries, surgical errors, misdiagnosis, personal injury, wrongful death
Background: The firm handles more medical malpractice cases than any other firm in Utah. Partner John Macfarlane is a University of Utah College of Law graduate who has represented hundreds of clients in malpractice, injury, and wrongful death cases. Mr. Younker earned his law degree from Brigham Young University and began practicing in 1988. The firm offers bilingual services in Spanish.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: https://www.patientinjury.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation; contingency fee structure with no fees unless the case is won
5. Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation across all case sizes
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability
Background: Over 90 years of combined experience among the legal team. The firm has represented clients in more than 1,200 mediation/arbitration cases and over 85 jury trials. Attorneys handle cases ranging from small claims to multi-million dollar matters.
Location: Salt Lake City and Midvale, UT
Contact: (801) 212-9992 | https://www.waddoupslaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation; contingency fee basis
Personal Injury Laws in Utah
Statute of Limitations
Utah provides a four-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including car accidents and slip-and-fall incidents (Utah Code § 78B-2-307). Key exceptions include:
Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death (Utah Code § 78B-2-304)
Medical malpractice: Two years from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, with an absolute deadline of four years from the negligent act (Utah Code § 78B-3-404)
Product liability: Two years from the date of injury
Claims against government entities: Two years from the date the claim arises, with a required 60-day notice period before filing suit (Utah Code § 63G-7-403)
Negligence Rules
Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Utah Code § 78B-5-818). Under this system:
Injured parties can recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident
If the injured party is found 50% or more responsible, they cannot recover any damages
Damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party
For example, if a plaintiff is found 20% at fault and total damages are $100,000, the recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
Damage Caps
Utah does not impose caps on compensatory damages in standard personal injury cases. However, certain limitations apply:
Claims against government entities are capped at $583,900 for personal injuries per individual and $3,000,000 in aggregate for all personal injuries and property damages per occurrence
Medical malpractice cases have specific damage limitations
Punitive damages are subject to statutory limits
Auto Insurance Requirements
Utah operates as a no-fault insurance state. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum required coverage is:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person
$65,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 property damage liability per accident
$3,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage
PIP coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages (up to $250 per week or 85% of gross income), and other accident-related costs regardless of fault. To pursue a claim against an at-fault driver, injured parties must meet certain thresholds, including medical expenses exceeding $3,000 or suffering specified serious injuries such as permanent disability, permanent impairment, or permanent disfigurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I was partially at fault for my car accident on I-15 or I-80?
Utah uses modified comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your damages will be reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you will be barred from recovery entirely. Insurance adjusters frequently attempt to shift blame onto injured parties, so documenting the accident scene and obtaining witness statements is critical for protecting your claim.
How does Utah’s no-fault insurance system affect my ability to sue after an accident?
Utah’s no-fault system requires you to first seek compensation through your own PIP insurance for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. You can only file a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet specific thresholds: either your medical expenses exceed $3,000, or you have suffered permanent disability, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, or certain other serious injuries defined by Utah Code § 31A-22-309.
Are there special procedures for filing injury claims against Utah state or local government entities?
Yes. Claims against government entities in Utah must follow specific administrative procedures. You must first file a formal notice of claim with the appropriate government agency and then wait 60 days before filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations is also shorter at two years. Damage recovery against the government is capped at $583,900 per person and $3,000,000 per incident. Missing these procedural requirements can result in permanent dismissal of your claim.
What compensation can I recover in a Utah wrongful death case?
Utah wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover economic damages including funeral and burial expenses, lost income and future earning capacity of the deceased, medical expenses incurred before death, and loss of financial support. Non-economic damages may include loss of companionship, guidance, and consortium. These claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Utah law designates specific family members, typically spouses and children, as eligible to bring wrongful death actions.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer after a Salt Lake City area accident?
Insurance companies routinely offer early settlements that may not fully compensate for your injuries, particularly when the full extent of injuries has not yet become apparent. Utah’s four-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases provides time to fully evaluate your medical treatment needs, lost wages, and long-term prognosis before settling. Accepting a settlement typically releases the at-fault party from further liability, so consulting with an attorney before accepting any offer helps ensure you understand the full value of your claim.