Personal Injury
· Updated

Utah Hit-and-Run Accident Claims: How to Recover When the Other Driver Flees

General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.

Short answer: If another driver hits you and flees, Utah law gives you a path to compensation through your own insurance. Under Utah Code § 31A-22-305, the definition of an "uninsured motor vehicle" includes an unidentified motor vehicle that left the scene of an accident proximately caused by the motor vehicle operator. So your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can respond even if the driver is never found. Utah's comparative-fault statute adds that in a motor vehicle accident involving an unidentified vehicle, the vehicle's existence must be proven by clear and convincing evidence, which may consist solely of one person's testimony (§ 78B-5-818(4)(a)).

Who this guide is for

Utah drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians hurt by a driver who left the scene, and the families of people killed in hit-and-run crashes.

Step 1: Get safe and report it

  • Call 911 and report the crash and any description of the vehicle, plate, direction of travel, and driver.
  • Get medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor.
  • Preserve evidence: photos of the scene and damage, paint transfer, debris, skid marks, and nearby business or doorbell cameras.
  • Find witnesses and get names and phone numbers.
  • Request the crash report. See How to Request a Utah Traffic Accident Report.

Step 2: Notify your own insurer

Most of your recovery runs through your own policy:

  • PIP pays medical expenses and lost income regardless of fault. See Utah's No-Fault Tort Threshold.
  • UM coverage can pay damages you'd be legally entitled to recover from the unidentified driver, up to your UM limits. A "covered person" includes you, your dependent minor children, certain resident relatives, and people occupying or using your insured vehicle.
  • Collision coverage can pay for vehicle damage, depending on your policy.

Give prompt notice and cooperate with the investigation. See Utah Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims.

Proving the other vehicle existed

Insurers know that no one can interview a driver who fled, so the existence of the vehicle is a key issue. Utah's standard is clear and convincing evidence, but the statute lets that evidence consist solely of one person's testimony — including yours. Corroboration still helps:

  • independent witnesses;
  • video from traffic or business cameras;
  • physical evidence such as paint or debris;
  • a prompt police report.

The driver's legal duty

An operator who has reason to believe they were involved in an accident resulting in injury must immediately stop and remain at the scene until they have fulfilled the statute's requirements (§ 41-6a-401.3). Under the version effective July 1, 2026, leaving the scene of an injury accident is a class A misdemeanor, a third degree felony when the accident results in serious bodily injury or other aggravating factors, and a second degree felony if the accident results in death, among other circumstances. A driver who voluntarily reports within six hours may avoid certain enhancements based on prior convictions. A criminal case is separate from your civil claim.

If the driver is later identified

You can pursue the driver and any other responsible parties — such as the vehicle's owner or the driver's employer — for damages that exceed what UM pays, and your insurer may seek reimbursement from them. Tell your insurer immediately if you learn who was driving.

Deadlines

Personal injury claims generally must be brought within four years, and wrongful death claims within two years. UM claims also have policy notice requirements — don't wait. See Utah Personal Injury Statute of Limitations.

Frequently asked questions

Will my insurance rates go up after a hit-and-run?

That depends on your insurer and policy; ask about your specific situation.

What if I don't have UM coverage?

PIP still applies. Other coverage, such as med-pay and collision, may help, and if the driver is identified you can pursue them directly.

Can I use UM if the driver has insurance but won't pay?

The statute also treats a vehicle as uninsured if its insurer disputes coverage for more than 60 days, among other situations.

Is my own testimony enough to prove a hit-and-run?

The statute says clear and convincing evidence of the unidentified vehicle may consist solely of one person's testimony.