Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Utah
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
4 years
from Date of injury, under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307.
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The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Utah is 4 years, set by Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307. It starts running on Date of injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Utah Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 4 years | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| Car Accident | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-3-404 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-304 |
| Dog Bite | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1; SOL: § 78B-2-307 |
| Slip and Fall | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307(3) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-302 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-309 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-309 |
When the Clock Starts
In Utah, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury. Utah recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Utah courts recognize the discovery rule for latent injuries; clock may begin when plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the injury and its cause; product liability has an express discovery component under § 78B-6-706
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Utah Governmental Immunity Act requires written notice of claim within one year of injury (Utah Code § 63G-7-402); claimant must then wait and may file suit within two years of claim accrual
- Damage caps: No cap on noneconomic damages for general personal injury claims against private defendants; government liability subject to limits under Utah Governmental Immunity Act
Modified comparative fault (50% bar) — plaintiff barred if at least 50% at fault. Utah's four-year general PI deadline is longer than most states. § 78B-2-307 is a catch-all provision for actions not otherwise enumerated. Minor tolling under § 78B-2-108: clock does not run while plaintiff is a minor.
Source: Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307, official Utah statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Utah government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Utah Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | 4 years | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
| Wyoming | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a) |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 |
| Arizona | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Utah?
You have 4 years from Date of injury, under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307.
Can I still sue after 4 years in Utah?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to personal injury lawsuits in Utah?
Yes. Utah courts recognize the discovery rule for latent injuries; clock may begin when plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the injury and its cause; product liability has an express discovery component under § 78B-6-706
What if the victim was a minor?
Utah generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Utah Governmental Immunity Act requires written notice of claim within one year of injury (Utah Code § 63G-7-402); claimant must then wait and may file suit within two years of claim accrual
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Sources
- Official Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 — Four-year limitation (Utah State Legislature)
- Corroborating Utah Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations — Nolo
- Corroborating Utah Civil Statute of Limitations Laws — FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Utah attorney.