What Happens If You’re Injured by an Uninsured Driver in Salt Lake City, Utah?

Car accidents shake you up, no matter what. But finding out the other driver doesn’t even have insurance? That takes an already terrible situation and makes it worse.

Still, even if the person who hit you doesn’t have a policy, you’re not stuck. There are ways to protect yourself and your right to compensation. You just need to know where to look—and how to fight for it.

What Utah Law Actually Requires for Auto Insurance

What are drivers in Utah supposed to carry, anyway?

The minimum liability insurance requirements look like this:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $65,000 total per accident
• $15,000 for property damage

On top of that, because Utah is a no-fault state, every driver has to carry at least $3,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. That’s what helps pay your immediate medical expenses and lost wages—even if the crash wasn’t your fault.

Sounds reasonable. But when you’re seriously hurt, those basic protections don’t go very far. And if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance at all? Forget about it—you’re depending on your own safety nets.

That’s where uninsured motorist coverage comes in. If you have it (and we hope you do), it can cover everything the other driver’s insurance should have taken care of—medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. If you don’t have it? Things get trickier, but you’re not out of options yet.

How Big Is Utah’s Uninsured Driver Problem?

You’d think with laws in place, most people would have insurance. But the truth is, a surprising number of drivers in Salt Lake City—and across Utah—are out there with no coverage at all.

Recent numbers show about 8% of drivers in Utah are uninsured. That’s roughly one out of every twelve cars you pass on the road. Think about that for a second. Every time you pull up to a red light, there’s a real chance the person next to you doesn’t have the insurance they’re legally supposed to carry.

When an uninsured driver causes a car accident, they usually can’t cover the costs they leave behind—medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage—all of it falls on the injured party. And unless you know how to protect yourself, you could end up footing the bill for someone else’s mistake.

That’s why knowing your options ahead of time matters.

Your Options After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver

When you’re trying to pick up the pieces after an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck. But you’re not without options. Here’s where you can start:

1. Use Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage

Because Utah is a no-fault state, your own insurance policy steps up first. PIP benefits help cover your immediate expenses, even if the at-fault driver had no insurance.

Here’s what PIP usually covers:

• Medical expenses up to your policy limit (at least $3,000)
• 85% of lost wages if you’re too hurt to work
• $20 a day for help around the house
• Up to $1,500 for funeral expenses, if needed

The problem? Serious injuries rack up bills way faster than PIP can handle. A quick trip to the ER can blow past $3,000 in a matter of hours.

2. Turn to Your Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

This is where uninsured motorist coverage (UM) can save you.

In Utah, you aren’t legally required to carry UM, but having it is a game-changer if you’re hit by a driver without insurance. Your UM coverage can step in to pay for:

• Medical bills that go beyond your PIP limits
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Lost wages that PIP didn’t fully cover
• Injuries to your passengers, too

When you file a UM claim, your own insurer basically acts like the missing at-fault driver’s insurance company. They’ll cover your losses up to your policy limits.

And if the other driver had insurance, but not nearly enough? That’s when your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage comes into play.

3. Lean on Your Health Insurance

If your medical expenses keep climbing after your PIP and UM benefits run out, your health insurance can step in next. If you later get a settlement, your health insurer might want reimbursement for the bills they paid. It’s frustrating, but it’s better than leaving everything unpaid.

4. Consider Suing the At-Fault Driver

Technically, you can sue the uninsured driver who caused your injuries. But here’s the honest truth: it’s usually not worth it.

Most people who drive without insurance don’t have a large amount of money available. Even if you win in court, collecting can be next to impossible. Lawsuits also take time and money—two things you probably don’t want to waste when you’re trying to recover from an accident.

That said, in some cases, an experienced personal injury lawyer can find out whether the at-fault party has assets you can go after. It’s not common, but it’s not impossible either. A good accident lawyer will lay out your legal options and help you decide if a lawsuit makes sense in your situation.

What to Do After a Crash With an Uninsured Driver

If you’ve just been hit by a driver without insurance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what you do next can make a big difference when it’s time to file a claim—or fight for the compensation you deserve.

Here’s where to start:

Call the Police—Every Time

Even if the crash seems minor, contact law enforcement immediately. Having an official accident report on file is huge, especially when you’re dealing with an uninsured driver. Ensure the officer documents the other driver’s lack of insurance—it will matter later.

Gather Everything You Can

If possible, begin collecting information while you are still at the scene. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and driver’s license details. Snap photos of the cars, the road, any visible injuries—anything that helps tell the story later.

The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.

See a Doctor—Even If You Feel “Fine”

Some injuries don’t show up until hours—or days—after a car accident. Getting checked out immediately isn’t just smart for your health; it ties your injuries directly to the crash, which is critical when you’re filing an insurance claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company

As soon as you can, let your insurer know about the accident. Inform them that the other driver did not have insurance. Be honest—but careful. Stick to basic facts. Don’t guess about fault, and don’t agree to a recorded statement without talking to a car accident lawyer first.

Watch What You Say

Insurance adjusters aren’t your friends. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. So when you talk to them, be polite, but cautious. Avoid saying anything that sounds like you’re accepting blame or downplaying your injuries.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re dealing with uninsured motorist coverage, confusing insurance policies, and a ton of bills piling up, you don’t want to go it alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer who understands Utah’s insurance laws can step in and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of.

Why Working With a Salt Lake City Accident Lawyer Matters

Accidents with uninsured drivers are messy. You’re trying to get medical care, fix your car, cover missed work—and meanwhile, you’re stuck fighting with insurance companies over what’s covered and what’s not.

That’s where a good accident lawyer makes all the difference.

When you work with an experienced team, here’s what we can do for you:

• Find every possible source of compensation, not just your own policy
• Handle every conversation with the insurer (so you don’t have to)
• Add up the full cost of your injuries, including future medical expenses you might not have thought about yet
• Negotiate hard to get you a settlement that actually covers what you’ve lost
• Take the fight to court if the insurance company refuses to play fair
• Make sure you don’t miss critical deadlines, like Utah’s four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims

At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we know exactly what it feels like to be blindsided by a crash—and then blindsided again by insurance headaches. We’ve spent years fighting for people across Salt Lake City and throughout Utah who were hurt because someone else failed to do what they were supposed to do.

You shouldn’t be left paying the price for another driver’s mistakes. And with us on your side, you won’t have to.

How to Protect Yourself Before a Crash Happens

We can’t control everything on the road. But when it comes to protecting yourself financially, there’s a lot you can do before an accident ever happens—especially in a place like Salt Lake City, where too many drivers are out there without insurance.

Here’s what we recommend:

Get Uninsured Motorist Coverage

We can’t say this enough: uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a must. Sure, it’s optional under Utah law, but if you get hit by a driver without insurance—and the odds aren’t small—you’ll be glad you have it. UM coverage helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering when the at-fault driver can’t.

Think About Raising Your PIP Limits

The state’s $3,000 minimum for personal injury protection (PIP) is honestly pretty low. If you can afford it, raising your PIP limits gives you a better cushion if you’re ever seriously injured. Hospital bills add up fast, and you don’t want your coverage to run out after the first ambulance ride.

Add Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage

Not every problem comes from a completely uninsured driver. Sometimes the at-fault driver has insurance, just not nearly enough. That’s where underinsured motorist coverage steps in. It covers the gap between what the other driver’s policy pays and what you actually need.

Keep Your Health Insurance Strong

Good health insurance is another important backup. It can help with medical expenses when PIP and UM/UIM benefits aren’t enough. Yes, your health insurer might request repayment later if you receive a settlement, but having that safety net upfront can make all the difference in your recovery.

Moving Forward After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

If you’ve been hit by a driver without insurance, you’re probably overwhelmed, injured, out of work, and now stuck figuring out how to pay for someone else’s mistake. The person who caused it can’t help, and your bills aren’t waiting.

At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we’ve handled this before. We understand how Utah’s insurance laws work and how to navigate companies that delay or underpay claims. If there’s a way to get you paid—through your own coverage or someone else’s—we’ll find it and push until it happens.

You don’t need to guess your way through this. Tell us what happened. We’ll review it, provide an honest assessment, and if we can assist, we’ll get started.