Car Accident Laws in Pennsylvania
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Pennsylvania, whether on the Pennsylvania Turnpike or a city street in Philadelphia, you may be overwhelmed by medical bills, insurance paperwork, and legal questions. Pennsylvania has some unique laws, including a choice no-fault system, that make it important to understand your options. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about your rights, from filing insurance claims to suing for serious injuries and handling rideshare-related crashes.
Pennsylvania’s Choice No-Fault Insurance System
Pennsylvania is one of only a few states that uses a choice no-fault system. When purchasing car insurance, drivers choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” coverage:
- Limited tort means your own insurance covers your medical bills (Personal Injury Protection or PIP), and you can only sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering in serious injury cases.
- Full tort allows you to sue for all damages, including pain and suffering, regardless of injury severity.
This choice greatly impacts your legal rights after an accident. Many people choose limited tort because it’s cheaper, but it can limit compensation if you’re seriously hurt.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements
Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry PIP coverage as part of their insurance policy. The minimum includes:
- $5,000 in medical benefits per person
- Additional coverage may be available for wage loss and funeral costs
You use your PIP coverage first, no matter who caused the accident. If you suffer a serious injury or have full tort coverage, you may then sue the at-fault driver for additional damages.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements
Drivers in Pennsylvania must carry the following minimum auto insurance:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
Optional but recommended coverages include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, comprehensive, and collision coverage.
Comparative Negligence Rule
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% threshold. You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault for the crash. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages.
Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is also two years from the date of death.
Failing to file within this window can result in losing your right to compensation. For property damage claims, the statute of limitations is two years as well.
Reporting a Car Accident
Drivers must report a crash to the police if:
- Someone is injured or killed
- A vehicle is so damaged it cannot be driven
- Property damage appears to exceed $1,000
You must also submit a written report to PennDOT within five days if the police do not investigate the scene.
Rideshare Accidents in Pennsylvania
If you are injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Pennsylvania—whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver—different insurance rules may apply.
Rideshare companies are required to carry large insurance policies:
- When the app is on but no ride is accepted: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident in bodily injury, and $25,000 in property damage
- When a ride is accepted or in progress: $1 million in liability coverage
As a rideshare passenger, you’re usually covered under this $1 million policy. If you’re hit by a rideshare driver, your claim may depend on whether the driver was logged into the app and whether a ride was in progress.
These cases can be complicated, and it’s often best to consult a lawyer familiar with rideshare liability laws.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Law Overview
Beyond car accidents, Pennsylvania personal injury law covers injuries from:
- Commercial truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and fall incidents
- Defective products
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. There are no damage caps in most personal injury cases, except in lawsuits against government entities.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
In a car accident injury case, compensation may include:
- Hospital and treatment costs
- Prescription medication
- Physical therapy and long-term care
- Lost wages and diminished earning ability
- Pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage repair or replacement
If your case goes to court, a jury may also consider future losses, including long-term disability and mental health treatment.
What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If you’re hit by a driver with no insurance—or not enough insurance—your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help cover your losses. This coverage is optional in Pennsylvania but is highly recommended.
Without UM/UIM coverage, you may need to file a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver, which can be risky if they lack assets or income.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
Because Pennsylvania has a hybrid insurance system and allows drivers to limit their legal rights through limited tort coverage, working with an attorney can make a big difference. A car accident lawyer can evaluate your insurance policy, determine fault, negotiate with insurers, and help you file a lawsuit if necessary.
Most personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you don’t pay unless you win.