Learn about your legal duties after a car crash, including exchanging information and reporting the accident to the police.
Are you aware of your legal obligations if you are involved in a car accident in Utah? As a driver, it’s important to know your responsibilities so that you can stay fully compliant with state laws.
On this page, we take a look at what Utah laws require of drivers after a collision. If you are looking for further detail, you can also review Chapter 6a of the Utah Motor Vehicle Code.
1. Utah Driver Exchange of Information Law
After an accident involving injury, death, or property damage, Utah law requires you to exchange information with the people involved in the collision. This includes sharing your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information with the other parties.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident [involving injury or death] shall give to the persons involved the operator’s name, address, the registration number of the vehicle and the insurance provider including the phone number and upon request, exhibit the operator’s license.
2. Utah Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
As a Utah driver, you have a legal duty to render aid to anyone who is injured in an accident. That includes transporting or arranging their transport to the hospital if medical treatment is necessary or they request it.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including transporting or making arrangements for transporting, of the injured person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or transportation is requested by the injured person.
3. Utah Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
In Utah, you are required to immediately report car accidents resulting in injury, death, or at least $2,500 of property damage to the local police. If the driver is incapacitated and cannot notify the police, a capable passenger must do so instead.
Further, the Utah Department of Public Safety may ask you to file a written report on the accident. You must do so within 10 days of the request.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident [involving injury or death] shall immediately and by the quickest means of communication available give notice or cause to give notice of the accident to the nearest office of a law enforcement agency.
The occupant of a vehicle involved in an accident [involving injury or death] who is not the operator of the vehicle shall give or cause to give the immediate notice required if the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident is physically incapable of giving the notice and the occupant is capable of giving immediate notice.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately and by the quickest means of communication available give notice or cause to give notice of the accident to the nearest office of a law enforcement agency if the accident resulted in property damage to an apparent extent of $2,500 or more.
The department may require any operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or total property damage to the apparent extent of $2,500 or more to file within 10 days after the request a report of the accident.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Utah?
If you fail to notify the police of a reportable accident in Utah, you can be charged with offenses ranging from a class B misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, depending on the seriousness of the accident. Additionally, if the accident injured or killed someone, you will face a minimum fine of $750.
An operator of a vehicle that fails to comply with the provisions of this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
A person who violates the provisions is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if the accident resulted in injury to any person and shall be fined not less than $750.
A person who violates the provisions is guilty of a third degree felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to a person and shall be fined not less than $750.
A person who violates the provisions is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be fined not less than $750.
4. Utah Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Utah law also creates legal duties for drivers in accidents that caused property damage but didn’t result in any injuries. You must immediately stop your vehicle at the scene. You then must exchange information with the other parties involved and show them your driver’s license if they ask for it.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to another vehicle or other property may move the vehicle as soon as possible and shall remain at the scene of the accident until the operator has fulfilled the requirements of this section.
If the vehicle is operated, occupied, or attended by any person or if the owner of the vehicle is present, the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall give to the persons involved the operator’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle and the insurance provider including the phone number and upon request exhibit the operator’s license.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Utah?
When you hit a parked car in Utah, you must either locate the owner or leave a note. No matter which option you choose, you must supply them with your name, address, and vehicle registration number.
If the vehicle damaged in the accident is unattended, the operator of the vehicle involved in the accident shall locate and notify the owner of the vehicle of the operator’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle causing the damage; or attach securely in a conspicuous place on the vehicle a written notice.
As a driver in Utah, knowing your legal responsibilities after an accident is vital. By learning and understanding the state’s car accident laws, you can ensure you comply with your obligations and take the necessary steps to protect yourself. So the next time you take your car out to enjoy Utah’s roads, remember these essential car accident laws.
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