What this guide covers
  1. What no-fault means
  2. The threshold
  3. Why threshold cases require a specialist
  4. PIP and what it covers

What no-fault means

Twelve states use a no-fault auto insurance system: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky (choice), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey (choice), New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania (choice), and Utah. In a no-fault state, your own insurance pays your initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash.

The threshold

To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering in a no-fault state, your injuries must cross a serious-injury threshold. The exact wording varies by state, but typically requires permanent injury, significant disfigurement, or medical bills above a statutory amount.

Why threshold cases require a specialist

Was your injury someone else's fault? Our guides explain when a claim is worth pursuing — and what it may be worth.
Learn What Your Case May Be Worth →

Whether your injuries meet the threshold is often the central battle in a no-fault case. Attorneys experienced in your state's no-fault system know exactly what medical documentation will satisfy the courts.

PIP and what it covers

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays a percentage of medical bills (often up to a state-mandated cap) and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault. Coverage details vary widely — Michigan's lifetime medical PIP is unusual; Florida caps PIP at $10,000.