Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

Being injured in a car accident is stressful enough—especially when you're dealing with medical treatment, missed work, and insurance paperwork. Many people in Luzerne County and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania assume the at-fault driver automatically pays their medical bills, but Pennsylvania law works differently.

Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own auto insurance pays your medical bills first through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Below, we explain how PIP works, the minimum coverage required in Pennsylvania, what happens when PIP runs out, and when exceptions apply.

What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Pennsylvania?

Every driver in Pennsylvania is required to carry PIP coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. PIP is a first-party benefit, meaning you submit the claim to your own insurance company, not the at-fault driver's insurer.

PIP allows accident victims in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Kingston, Pittston, and surrounding areas to receive medical care immediately—without waiting for a lawsuit or settlement.

PIP may cover:

• Medical bills related to the accident

• Lost wages

• Funeral expenses (in fatal crashes)

Because Pennsylvania follows a no-fault system, PIP applies regardless of who caused the accident.

Important: Filing a PIP claim alone cannot cause your insurance company to raise your rates, although rates may increase if you were found to be at fault for the accident.

Minimum PIP Coverage Required in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law requires drivers to carry at least $5,000 in PIP coverage.

When you seek treatment at a hospital, urgent care center, or doctor's office in Luzerne County, you provide your auto insurance information, and your provider bills your auto insurer directly.

Unlike health insurance:

• There are no co-pays

• There are no deductibles

• Coverage applies immediately after the crash

What Happens When PIP Coverage Runs Out?

Unfortunately, $5,000 in PIP coverage is often exhausted quickly—especially after ER visits, imaging, or physical therapy.

Once PIP is exhausted:

1. Your health insurance pays next

2. If another driver caused the accident, their insurance may later reimburse your health insurer through a bodily injury claim

Example:

• $5,000 in PIP coverage

• $15,000 in medical bills

• Auto insurance pays first $5,000

• Health insurance pays remaining $10,000

• At-fault driver's insurer may ultimately be responsible

Priority of PIP Coverage in Pennsylvania

In some cases, more than one PIP policy may apply. Under Pennsylvania law (MVFRL §1713), coverage is applied in this order:

1. Your own auto policy

2. A household family member's policy

3. The policy covering the vehicle you were in

4. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist, the policy of any vehicle involved

In most situations, PIP follows the person—not the vehicle.

When PIP Coverage Does Not Apply

PIP benefits are not available if you were injured while:

• Riding or driving a motorcycle

• Operating an ATV or recreational vehicle

• Using another type of motorized cycle

In these cases, your health insurance pays first, and if another driver caused the crash, you may pursue a claim directly against them.

Key Takeaway for Pennsylvania Accident Victims

If you are injured in a car accident in Luzerne County or Northeastern Pennsylvania, your own auto insurance pays your medical bills first through PIP coverage, regardless of fault. Once PIP is exhausted, health insurance and potentially the at-fault driver's insurance come into play.

Understanding how these insurance layers work is critical—especially in serious injury cases where medical bills add up quickly.

Contact a Luzerne County Car Accident Lawyer

If you've been injured in a car accident in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, or anywhere in Luzerne County, Sklarosky Law can help you navigate PIP claims, insurance disputes, and injury compensation.

Call (570) 283-1200 or fill out our online form to discuss your case.