Personal Injury Attorney in Southern Utah
If you were hurt in an accident in St. George, Hurricane, Cedar City, or anywhere across Southern Utah, you have rights — and a four-year deadline to act. Our personal injury practice is led by two Million Dollar Advocates Forum Life Members, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys. We handle auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and falls, dog bites, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases throughout Washington, Iron, and Kane counties.
Personal injury cases involve more than medical bills and insurance claims — they involve specific Utah laws and deadlines that determine what you can recover and how. Utah's modified no-fault auto insurance system, its 50% comparative fault bar, and its four-year statute of limitations all affect the strategy and outcome of your case.
At Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones, PLLC, our Southern Utah personal injury attorneys help injured people navigate these rules and recover full compensation under Utah law. We represent clients across St. George, Hurricane, Cedar City, and surrounding communities throughout Washington, Iron, and Kane counties.
Two MDAF Life Members on Your Side
Both Ben Ruesch and Travis Dunsmoor are Million Dollar Advocates Forum Life Members — a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys. Membership requires having achieved million-dollar (or multi-million-dollar) verdicts and settlements for clients.
Travis is licensed in both Utah and Nevada, with nearly a decade of trial experience before relocating to St. George. For serious injury cases with significant damages, this level of trial-ready experience matters.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Our attorneys represent injury victims in the full range of personal injury cases across Southern Utah:
Car Accidents →
Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, rollover accidents, and intersection collisions throughout Southern Utah.
Truck Accidents →
Commercial trucking accidents involving Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations and complex liability.
Motorcycle Accidents →
Motorcycle crashes typically involve serious injuries and unique liability considerations.
Bicycle & Pedestrian →
Cyclists and pedestrians struck by motor vehicles — especially vulnerable to serious injury.
Slip & Fall →
Premises liability cases involving unsafe property conditions and inadequate maintenance.
Dog Bite Injuries →
Utah strict liability under § 18-1-1 — no "one-bite rule." Owner liable regardless of prior behavior.
Uber & Lyft Accidents →
Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance coverage layers depending on driver status.
Construction Accidents →
Job site injuries combining workers' compensation and third-party liability claims.
Catastrophic Injuries →
Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe neck injuries with lifelong consequences.
Wrongful Death & Workers' Compensation
We also handle wrongful death claims under Utah Code § 78B-3-106 (2-year deadline) and workers' compensation cases for on-the-job injuries.
Call (435) 635-7737Utah Personal Injury Law: What You Need to Know
Three key Utah laws shape every personal injury case:
1. The Four-Year Statute of Limitations (§ 78B-2-307)
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline and your case will almost always be dismissed — regardless of how strong the underlying claim is.
Important exceptions and shorter deadlines:
- Wrongful death — 2 years from date of death (§ 78B-3-105)
- Medical malpractice — 2 years from discovery
- Product liability — 2 years from discovery (§ 78B-6-706)
- Government entity claims — 1 year notice of claim required (§ 63G-7-402) — separate from lawsuit deadline
2. Modified Comparative Fault (§ 78B-5-818)
Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule under Utah Code § 78B-5-818:
- If you are less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages — reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages
Example: You're injured in a car accident with $100,000 in damages. The jury finds the other driver 80% at fault and you 20% at fault. Your recovery is reduced to $80,000.
Utah also abolished joint and several liability under § 78B-5-820. This means each defendant is only liable for their proportional share of fault — no defendant pays more than their own percentage of the harm.
3. Utah's Modified No-Fault Auto Insurance System (§ 31A-22-307)
Utah is a modified no-fault state for auto accidents under Utah Code § 31A-22-307. Every Utah driver must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with these minimum benefits:
| PIP Benefit | Minimum Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical expenses | $3,000 | Paid regardless of fault |
| Lost wages | $1,250/month | Up to 1 year |
| Household services | $20/day | Up to 1 year |
| Death benefit | $3,000 | Per insured person |
| Funeral expenses | $1,500 | One-time |
The Utah Threshold Rule: When You Can Sue the At-Fault Driver
Under Utah's modified no-fault system, you can only pursue non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress) from the at-fault driver if you meet the threshold:
- Medical expenses exceeding $3,000, OR
- Permanent disability based on objective medical findings, OR
- Permanent impairment based on objective medical findings, OR
- Dismemberment, OR
- Permanent disfigurement, OR
- Death
For economic damages exceeding PIP coverage limits — including lost wages beyond PIP, ongoing medical care, and future medical needs — you can pursue the at-fault driver's liability coverage regardless of meeting the threshold.
Damages You Can Recover in a Utah Personal Injury Case
Utah law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages in personal injury cases:
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical expenses — hospital bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, equipment, ongoing care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity — both current loss and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Physical and occupational therapy — short-term and long-term rehabilitation
- Property damage — vehicle repair or replacement, damaged personal items
- Out-of-pocket expenses — transportation to medical appointments, modifications to home or vehicle
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress from the injury
- Mental anguish — psychological impact, anxiety, depression resulting from the injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life — reduced ability to enjoy activities and life experiences
- Loss of consortium — impact on family relationships and intimate partner relationship
- Disfigurement and scarring — visible permanent injuries
Wrongful Death Damages
In wrongful death cases under Utah Code § 78B-3-106, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship and care, and damages for the deceased's pre-death pain and suffering.
Utah Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability
Utah is a strict liability state for dog bites under Utah Code § 18-1-1. This means:
- Dog owners are liable for injuries their dog causes — regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggressive behavior before
- Utah has no "one-bite rule" — owners can be held liable on the first bite
- You don't need to prove the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous
- To recover, you must establish: the defendant owned/kept the dog, the dog injured you, and you were lawfully present
The 2025 amendment to § 18-1-1 added an exception for trespassers when the dog is reasonably secured behind a fence on private property. Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance.
Why Choose Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones for Your Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury law rewards experience, local knowledge, and trial readiness. Here's what sets our practice apart:
- Two MDAF Life Members — Ben Ruesch and Travis Dunsmoor are both Life Members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys qualify)
- Travis is dual-state licensed — admitted in both Utah and Nevada, with nearly a decade of NV trial experience before relocating to St. George
- Local depth — based in Hurricane since 2009, with familiarity with the Fifth District Court, local insurance adjusters, and Southern Utah accident patterns
- Full firm support — when your case intersects with other practice areas (estate, workers' comp, bankruptcy from medical debt), our other attorneys integrate seamlessly
- Trial-ready — every case is prepared as if it will go to trial, which improves settlement leverage
- Direct attorney access — talk to your actual attorney, not a paralegal or case manager
Your Southern Utah Personal Injury Attorneys
Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Southern Utah
Our Hurricane office serves personal injury clients throughout the region:
- Washington County — St. George, Hurricane, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, La Verkin, Toquerville, Springdale
- Iron County — Cedar City, Enoch, Parowan, Brian Head (also served from our Cedar City presence)
- Kane County — Kanab, Orderville, Big Water, Glendale
What Southern Utah Clients Say
"After my accident, I was overwhelmed and worried about medical bills. Ben and his team took the burden off my shoulders and fought hard for my rights. They explained everything clearly and stayed in constant contact."
"Ruesch Reeve Werrett & Jones truly cared about my case from start to finish. They handled the insurance companies with professionalism and made sure I got the compensation I deserved. I felt supported every step of the way."
"I highly recommend this law firm for anyone injured in Southern Utah. Their experience and dedication are unmatched. They treated me like family and helped me rebuild my life."
Utah Personal Injury FAQ
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Utah?
Utah's general personal injury statute of limitations is four years from the date of injury, under Utah Code § 78B-2-307. However, shorter deadlines apply to specific case types:
- Wrongful death: 2 years (§ 78B-3-105)
- Medical malpractice: 2 years from discovery (§ 78B-3-404)
- Product liability: 2 years from discovery (§ 78B-6-706)
- Government entity claims: 1-year notice of claim (§ 63G-7-402) — separate from lawsuit deadline
Missing the applicable deadline almost always means losing the right to recover compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.
How does Utah's comparative fault rule work in personal injury cases?
Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule under Utah Code § 78B-5-818. If you are found 50% or more at fault for your injury, you cannot recover any damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you are 20% at fault, your recovery would be $80,000. Utah also abolished joint and several liability under § 78B-5-820 — meaning no defendant is liable for more than their proportionate share of fault.
Is Utah a no-fault state for car accidents?
Yes. Utah operates a modified no-fault auto insurance system under Utah Code § 31A-22-307. All Utah drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with minimum benefits of:
- $3,000 in medical expenses
- $1,250 per month in lost wages for up to one year
- $20 per day in household services for up to one year
- $3,000 death benefit
- $1,500 funeral expenses
PIP pays regardless of fault. To sue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages, you must meet Utah's threshold: medical bills exceeding $3,000, permanent disability or impairment, dismemberment, permanent disfigurement, or death.
What damages can I recover in a Utah personal injury case?
Utah allows injury victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include medical expenses (current and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, physical and occupational therapy, prescription medications and medical equipment, and property damage.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover damages under Utah Code § 78B-3-106. Utah does not cap most non-economic damages in personal injury cases — though medical malpractice cases have separate caps.
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Utah?
For most car accident injury cases in Utah, you have four years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, under Utah Code § 78B-2-307. For wrongful death claims arising from an accident, the deadline is two years. If a government vehicle or government employee caused your accident, you must file a notice of claim within one year under Utah Code § 63G-7-402 — separate from the lawsuit deadline. Property damage claims for vehicles are also generally subject to the four-year period.
Are dog owners strictly liable in Utah?
Yes. Utah is a strict liability state for dog bites under Utah Code § 18-1-1. A dog owner is liable for injuries their dog causes regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggressive behavior. Utah has no "one-bite rule".
To recover, the victim must establish three things: the defendant owned or kept the dog, the dog injured the victim, and the victim was lawfully present at the location. The 2025 amendment added an exception for trespassers when the dog is reasonably secured behind a fence on private property. Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance.
What should I do immediately after an accident in Southern Utah?
Immediately after an accident:
- Get medical attention — even for injuries that seem minor, since some serious injuries (concussions, internal bleeding, soft tissue damage) take time to manifest.
- Call 911 to ensure a police report is created.
- Document the scene with photos if you can safely do so. Get witness contact information and all parties' insurance information.
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the at-fault party's insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your options. Time matters — evidence disappears and statute of limitations clocks run from the date of injury.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
Generally, no. Insurance companies typically make early settlement offers to limit their financial exposure before the full extent of your injuries and damages become clear. Early offers rarely account for future medical care, ongoing pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, or complications that develop over time.
Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot recover additional compensation later — even if your condition worsens. Speaking with an attorney before accepting any offer helps you understand whether the offer reflects the true value of your claim.
Do I need an attorney if my injuries seem minor?
Many people underestimate their injuries in the days following an accident, and seemingly minor injuries can develop into serious long-term problems. Even if you don't ultimately need representation, a consultation lets you understand your rights, the applicable statute of limitations, what evidence to preserve, and what the insurance company is likely to do. There is no minimum dollar amount of medical bills required to file a personal injury claim in Utah.
How long does a personal injury case take in Utah?
Timelines vary widely based on injury severity, liability disputes, insurance cooperation, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial:
- Simple cases with clear liability and modest damages may resolve in a few months
- Complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple defendants, or contested liability often take 1-3 years
- Cases that proceed to trial can take longer
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney from the start typically helps move cases efficiently while protecting your rights and maximizing recovery.
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