Where to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Cache, Box Elder, or Rich County
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: Under Utah Code § 78B-3a-201, a plaintiff generally files in the county where the cause of action arose or where any defendant resides. Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties are Utah's First Judicial District. Use the Utah Courts directory to find the courthouse for the county where your case belongs.
Who this guide is for
People hurt in a crash in Logan, Brigham City, Tremonton, Bear Lake, or elsewhere in northern Utah who want to know where a lawsuit would be filed.
The venue rule
Under § 78B-3a-201(1), the action is brought in the county where the cause of action arises or where any defendant resides when it begins. If no defendant resides in Utah, the plaintiff may choose any county in the complaint, and if a defendant is about to leave the state, an action may be brought where a party resides or service is had.
The First Judicial District
Utah Courts lists Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties. A crash in one county with a driver from another may support venue in either; confirm with an attorney.
Local situations to think about
- Mountain and canyon roads, including winter conditions. See Utah Winter and Canyon Crash Claims.
- Farm and agricultural accidents and agritourism. See Utah Agritourism Injury Claims and Utah Horse and Livestock Injury Claims.
- Recreation injuries — snowmobiles, ATVs, boating, and hiking. See Utah ATV, UTV, and Off-Highway Vehicle Accident Claims and Utah's Limited Liability for Recreational Land.
- Commercial trucks on I-15 and I-84. See Utah Commercial Truck Accident Claims.
- College-area pedestrian and cyclist crashes. See Utah Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Claims.
Venue is not the deadline
Where you file doesn't change when you must file. See Utah Personal Injury Statute of Limitations for the general four-year period and its exceptions, and How a Utah Personal Injury Lawsuit Works for what happens after filing. Claims against a city, county, school district, or other government entity require a written notice of claim within one year first; see How to File a Notice of Claim Against a Utah Government Entity. For the broader picture of where a case can be filed, see Where to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Utah.
Frequently asked questions
Which counties are in the First District?
Box Elder, Cache, and Rich, according to Utah Courts.
Can I file in the county where the other driver lives?
Yes, venue is proper where any defendant resides at the start of the action, as well as where the crash occurred.
Does the district change my deadline?
No.