If you've been injured in a car accident in Luzerne County or Northeastern Pennsylvania, one of the first questions you may have is: Who pays my medical bills?Under Pennsylvania law, the answer is usually your own auto insurance, through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means PIP coverage pays first—regardless of who caused the crash. This system is designed to make sure injured drivers and passengers can get medical treatment quickly without waiting for a lawsuit to resolve.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

In Pennsylvania, PIP is also referred to as First-Party Benefits (FPB). Every driver registered in the Commonwealth is required to carry this coverage as part of their auto insurance policy.

PIP pays certain accident-related expenses immediately after a crash, including:

• Medical bills
• Certain lost wages
• Funeral expenses (in fatal accidents)

Whether your accident happened on Route 309, Interstate 81, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or a local road in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, or Scranton, PIP coverage applies the same way statewide.

What Does PIP Cover in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania insurers must offer up to $100,000 in medical benefits, but drivers may opt down to the statutory minimum of $5,000 by signing a waiver.

Depending on your policy, PIP may cover:

• Medical expenses – ER visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Lost income – if injuries prevent you from working
• Funeral expenses – in the event of a fatal crash
• Accidental death benefits – lump-sum payment to beneficiaries
• Extraordinary medical benefits – optional coverage for catastrophic injuries, sometimes up to $1 million
• 👉 Important: PIP does not cover pain and suffering, vehicle damage, or injuries to people in other vehicles.

What Is the Minimum PIP Coverage in Pennsylvania?

The minimum required PIP coverage is $5,000.
While this may be enough for minor injuries, serious accidents—especially high-speed crashes or commercial vehicle collisions—often exceed this amount very quickly.

Many accident victims in Luzerne County emergency rooms exhaust their PIP benefits within days.

What Happens When PIP Runs Out?

Once PIP benefits are exhausted:

1. Health insurance typically becomes the next source of payment
2. If another driver was at fault, their liability insurance may ultimately be responsible
3. You may need to pursue a personal injury claim to recover additional damages
4. This is where having an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney becomes critical.

Who Gets PIP Benefits?

Under Pennsylvania law, PIP coverage generally follows the person, not the vehicle. Priority is determined by the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL §1713):

1. Your own auto insurance policy
2. A resident relative's policy
3. The policy covering the vehicle you were in
4. For pedestrians or cyclists, the policy of any vehicle involved

When PIP Does Not Apply

PIP benefits are not available if you were injured while:

• Riding or operating a motorcycle
• Using an ATV or recreational vehicle
• Operating certain motorized cycles

In those cases, medical bills are typically paid by health insurance, and liability claims may be pursued against the at-fault party.

Can I Still File a Lawsuit?

Yes. While PIP helps cover immediate expenses, it often isn't enough after a serious crash. A personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover:

• Additional medical expenses
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life's pleasures
• Permanent impairment or disability

Speak With a Luzerne County Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies are not on your side—especially once PIP benefits run out. At Sklarosky Law, we help accident victims throughout Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Scranton, and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania navigate PIP claims and pursue full compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Luzerne County, do not wait to get legal help. At Sklarosky Law, we fight for accident victims across Northeastern Pennsylvania to recover the compensation they deserve.

Call (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form for a free consultation today.