Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, and whether you chose limited tort or full tort on your own policy can change what you can recover. The Turnpike and I-81 carry heavy freight, and Philadelphia's Schuylkill Expressway is notorious for congestion. Pennsylvania's minimum liability limits are among the lowest in the country.
Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state?
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Drivers carry no-fault coverage, but the options chosen on your own policy can affect whether — and how easily — you can claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.
Pennsylvania requires first-party medical benefits. Drivers choose 'limited tort' or 'full tort' — limited tort can restrict pain-and-suffering claims.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are found more than 50% responsible.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a crash in Pennsylvania, your compensation could be reduced by 20%. If your share reached the 51% bar, you could be barred from recovering from the other driver.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions.
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of Pennsylvania often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are Pennsylvania's minimum car insurance requirements?
Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry at least $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in Pennsylvania?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in Pennsylvania:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76/I-276) or Schuylkill Expressway (I-76).
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. Pennsylvania generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine — Pennsylvania PIP claims can depend on prompt treatment.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent Pennsylvania attorney before signing any release, keeping the two years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in Pennsylvania?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, Harrisburg and Scranton. Major routes include Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76/I-276), Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), I-95, I-81, I-78 and I-80. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in Pennsylvania.