Where to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Davis, Weber, or Morgan 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. Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties make up Utah's Second Judicial District, so a crash in Layton, Ogden, Morgan, or Farmington is generally filed in that county's district court. Use the Utah Courts directory to find the courthouse for each county.
Who this guide is for
People hurt in a crash in the Davis and Weber county area or Morgan County who want to know where a lawsuit would be filed.
The venue rule
Under § 78B-3a-201(1), a plaintiff brings the action in the county where:
- the cause of action arises (the crash location); or
- any defendant resides when the action begins.
If no defendant resides in Utah, the plaintiff may pick any county; if a defendant is about to depart the state, the action may be brought where a party resides or service is had.
The Second Judicial District
Utah Courts lists three counties: Davis, Morgan, and Weber. A crash that happens in one county with a defendant living in another may support venue in either; confirm with an attorney.
Local situations to think about
- Interstate and freeway crashes on I-15 and I-84 — commercial trucks and multi-vehicle pileups. See Utah Commercial Truck Accident Claims.
- Canyon roads such as Ogden Canyon and winter driving in the mountains. See Utah Winter and Canyon Crash Claims.
- Ski and recreation injuries in the Ogden Valley area. See Utah Ski Resort Injury Claims and Utah's Limited Liability for Recreational Land.
- Military and federal workplaces in the region may implicate the Federal Tort Claims Act. See Injured by a Federal Employee in Utah?.
- Motorcycles, pedestrians, and cyclists. See Utah Motorcycle Accident Claims and 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 Second District?
Davis, Morgan, and Weber, according to Utah Courts.
Can I file where the other driver lives?
Venue is proper in the county where any defendant resides at the start of the case, in addition to where the crash happened.
Does the district affect my deadline?
No. The statute of limitations is the same wherever you file.