Because sometimes the person who hurt you doesn’t have enough insurance, or any at all. That’s the quiet problem behind a lot of Utah claims. You can prove fault perfectly and still run out of coverage long before your losses are paid.
That’s where your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can step in. Here’s how it works, what Utah requires, and why a Utah personal injury law firm checks your policy in every case.
What Do Utah Drivers Have to Carry?
Every Utah auto policy must include at least $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, $25,000 in property damage coverage, and $3,000 in personal injury protection. That’s the legal minimum. It isn’t a measure of what a serious injury costs.
Why Is the Minimum a Problem?
Because medical bills, lost income, and long recoveries can easily exceed $30,000. A serious injury meeting a minimum policy means the at fault driver’s coverage runs dry long before your losses do. The gap lands on you unless another source of coverage exists.
What Are UM and UIM Coverages?
Uninsured motorist coverage helps when the at fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage helps when the driver has some, but not enough. Utah requires insurers to offer both, and you can only reject them in writing under state law.
Many people don’t remember what they signed. That’s why Moxie Law Group checks your own policy in every case. When the other driver has only the minimum, your UM or UIM coverage is often the difference between a $30,000 recovery and a full one.
What Happens If the Driver Has No Insurance?
You may rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage to recover damages. The firm’s car accident page explains that if the at fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to use your own coverage. And the injury threshold for pain and suffering doesn’t apply to an uninsured motorist claim.
Can You Still Sue the Driver?
Possibly. Moxie Law Group shared a story about a Jacksonville hair salon crash, noting that when insurance covers only a fraction of the damage, victims can sue the driver personally for the rest. Whether that’s practical depends on the driver’s finances, so talk to a lawyer before assuming.
Can a Medical Emergency Excuse a Driver?
Moxie Law Group addressed this in a post about a Jacksonville crash, where a car smashed into a hair salon and hit a couple inside. The firm noted that even if a driver claims they hit the gas by mistake or had a sudden medical emergency, they aren’t automatically free from liability.
What Were the Potential Damages?
The firm said that between medical bills and rebuilding the salon, damages could hit hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s a useful reminder that policy limits and real costs often don’t match, and that a lawyer’s job includes finding every source of recovery.
How Do You Find Out Your Own Coverage?
Pull your policy declarations page and look for UM and UIM lines. If you’re unsure, ask your insurer or have a lawyer review it. Don’t wait until a claim to find out. Knowing your limits before a crash is the easiest protection you can give yourself.
What Should You Do After a Crash With Low Coverage?
- Seek medical care and keep every record.
- Report the crash to your insurer promptly.
- Avoid recorded statements and quick settlement paperwork.
- Ask a lawyer to review all available coverage.
Who Can Review Your Policy?
A personal injury attorney Utah at Moxie Law Group can look at your coverage during a free consultation. The firm works on contingency, so there’s no retainer and no hourly fee. Call 801 405 3650 in Pleasant Grove or 801 669 8205 in Sandy.
Final Thoughts
Proving fault is only half the fight. The other half is finding enough coverage to pay for what you lost. A Utah personal injury law firm that checks your own policy can sometimes turn a thin recovery into a fuller one, and that’s worth a conversation.
FAQs
What is the minimum bodily injury coverage in Utah?
At least $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident.
Can I reject UM or UIM coverage?
Only in writing. A personal injury attorney Utah residents hire can check what you signed.
Does a Utah personal injury law firm charge to review my policy?
Moxie Law Group doesn’t. The consultation is free and fees apply only if it wins.
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