WHAT IS THE UTATH "NO FAULT" LAW?

Many people are confused after they’ve been in an accident when they are told that they must bill their own automobile insurance for their initial medical treatment.  People are left wondering, “Why should I bill my own insurance company when I didn’t cause the accident?” 

The Utah "No Fault" Law simply means that your own automobile insurance will take some of the hassle out of getting your initial medical bills paid.  It is based on the premise that your own automobile insurance company and the automobile insurance company "for the at-fault driver" are in the best positions to determine who should really be paying the bills.  When you are hurt, you do not want to find yourself in a fight with the other insurance company—at least not initially.  Therefore, after you are injured in a car crash, you will first bill your own automobile insurance. 

A better way to think of "No Fault" benefits is to call them “Band-Aid™ Benefits.”  The "No Fault" Law is much like a Band-Aid™; like a Band-Aid™, its use will not fix long term problems; however, it will provide some temporary, up-front benefits which should help you in the firth month or so following your accident. Those benefits include the following:

1. At least $3,000.00 of medical care;
2. $250.00 per week in lost wages; and
3. $20.00 per day for household services.

If someone else caused the accident, your insurance company, in most cases will be reimbursed for these benefits. 

 


Bradley C. Harr,PC © 2009