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Last Modified: March 22, 2023

Car Accident Statute Of Limitations

Our Utah car accident attorney practices exclusively in personal injury law. We regularly help injury victims win large settlements. Our team makes sure that your case fulfills all of the requirements of Utah law. One of the most important of these requirements is the Utah car accident lawsuit statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time you have to file your claim after your accident occurs. Understanding the statute of limitations is critical to getting the compensation that you deserve.

How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Lawsuit in Utah?

If you are injured in a Utah car accident, you typically have four years to file your car accident lawsuit. This means that you have four years from the date of your accident to file your personal injury lawsuit. In a Utah car accident lawsuit, you can receive compensation for several different types of damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if you do not meet the statute of limitations, the defense can ask the court to dismiss the case.

Is the Statute of Limitations Ever Less than Four Years For a Car Accident in Utah?

Yes, the statute of limitations may be less than four years. In some cases, the statute of limitations can be as early as one year from the date of the accident. If your case involves a government employee or government vehicle, then you must file a Notice of Claim within one year of the accident, or your case could be wiped out. After filing a notice of claim, you must file a lawsuit within one year.
Also, if the defendant dies, the statute of limitations can be much shorter than 4 years. The death does not need to be related to the accident. You should contact an attorney immediately if you are aware of the defendant’s death.

What is the Statute of LImitations if I am Filing an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim?

Uninsured Motorist Coverage protects you if you are injured by a driver with no car insurance. This is a claim against your own car insurance company. You need to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from your own insurance company to cover your losses. You have a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident to file this type of claim.
An Underinsured Motorist claim arises when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover all your damages. If the driver’s insurance company pays their full policy limits, you can make an additional claim as part of your car insurance policy. You must file an underinsured motorist lawsuit three years from the date when the at-fault party’s insurance company pays their limit.

What Happens if I Do Not File My Car Accident Lawsuit in Time?

Unfortunately, if you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, your case is likely already lost. If you do not file your Utah car accident lawsuit within four years of your accident, you probably will not be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Be sure to work with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time.

How Can I Avoid Missing the Deadline for a Car Accident Claim?

The best thing that you can do to avoid missing the deadline for a car accident claim is to contact an experienced Utah car accident lawyer. The attorneys at Good Guys Injury Law have years of experience handling car accident cases. We are familiar with the details of the accident lawsuit statute of limitations and other important deadlines. If you contact us soon after your accident, we will make sure that your case is as strong as possible and meets every necessary deadline.
Do not let insurance companies mislead you about these deadlines. You may think they want to help you, but insurance companies will do everything to avoid paying you. We regularly help clients get what they deserve from the biggest insurance companies.

Is the Car Accident Lawsuit Statute of Limitations Ever More Than Four Years?

The car accident lawsuit statute of limitations may be more than four years in some circumstances. The deadline may change if the car accident victim is underage or mentally disabled.

  • Mentally Disabled Injury Victims. In the case of a mentally disabled car accident victim with a physical injury, the lawsuit can only be filed once the person has been appointed a legal guardian. The car accident lawsuit must be filed within four years after the date of this appointment.

How Can The Lawyers at Good Guys Injury Law Make a Difference In Your Case?

The lawyers at Good Guys Injury Law can make a difference by helping you get what you deserve from the insurance companies and from those responsible for the accident. The insurance companies have developed strategies over the years to avoid paying injury victims what they need. But at Good Guys Injury Law, we know how to overcome these strategies and win your case. It is very difficult to win a case on your own, especially when you are focusing on recovering from your injury.
A successful personal injury settlement can cover many different types of losses. These include the following:

  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage

We will handle everything for you. You will never get another phone call from an insurance company after you hire our law firm. We will work to gather the right evidence and communicate with you every step of the way.