Where to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Salt Lake, Summit, or Tooele County
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: Utah Code § 78B-3a-201 says a plaintiff generally brings a civil action in the county where the cause of action arose or where any defendant resides when the action starts. Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties make up Utah's Third Judicial District, so a crash on I-15 in Salt Lake County, on I-80 through Parleys Canyon in Summit County, or on I-80 or SR-36 in Tooele County is generally filed in that county's district court, with the specific courthouse found through the Utah Courts directory.
Who this guide is for
People hurt in a crash in the Salt Lake Valley, Park City area, or Tooele County who are trying to understand where a lawsuit would be filed.
The venue rule
Under § 78B-3a-201(1), a plaintiff shall bring an action in the county in which:
- the cause of action arises — for a car accident, where the crash occurred; or
- any defendant resides at the commencement of the action.
If none of the defendants reside in Utah, the plaintiff may choose any county in the complaint, and if a defendant is about to leave the state, the action may be brought where any party resides or service is had. Because the statute allows either county, a crash in Summit County involving a Salt Lake County driver can potentially be filed in either — a question worth confirming with your lawyer.
The Third Judicial District
Utah Courts lists the Third Judicial District as covering Salt Lake County, Summit County, and Tooele County. Each county has its own district court location(s); use the Utah Courts directory for the courthouse that serves your case.
Local situations to think about
- Canyon and winter crashes (Parleys, Big and Little Cottonwood, and other canyon roads) bring traction-law and speed-for-conditions questions. See Utah Winter and Canyon Crash Claims.
- Ski-area injuries in Summit and Salt Lake counties are governed by Utah's ski statute. See Utah Ski Resort Injury Claims.
- Commercial trucks on I-80 and I-15. See Utah Commercial Truck Accident Claims.
- Rideshare crashes. See Utah Rideshare Accident Claims.
- Crashes involving city, county, or UDOT vehicles or roads. See Utah Government Vehicle Accident Claims.
- Pedestrians and cyclists. 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
Can I file in Salt Lake County if the crash happened in Tooele County?
Venue is proper where the crash happened or where a defendant resides; if a defendant lives in Salt Lake County, that county may be proper.
Are these three counties in one district?
Yes, per Utah Courts the Third Judicial District covers Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties.
Do I file in justice court or district court?
Injury claims over small-claims limits are filed in district court; see the lawsuit-process guide for the steps.