A fender-bender on Route 1, a rear-end collision on the Turnpike, a side-swipe in a ShopRite parking lot. However it happens, the questions afterwards are almost always the same: Who pays for my doctor? Do I need a lawyer first? Is it normal that my neck hurts more today than the day of the crash?
This guide walks through how New Jersey’s auto insurance system handles your medical treatment, in plain English, and what our team at NJ Institute for Pain Relief sees patients get stuck on most.
New Jersey is a “no-fault” state. What that means for you
In New Jersey, the medical bills from a car accident are paid first by your own auto policy through Personal Injury Protection, usually called PIP. It pays without regard to who caused the accident. You don’t wait for the other driver’s insurer to accept blame before getting care.
PIP generally covers you, resident relatives in your household and certain passengers. It pays for medically necessary treatment such as doctor visits, diagnostic testing, physical therapy and chiropractic care, subject to your policy’s limits and rules.
How much does PIP cover?
That depends on what you chose when you bought your policy. According to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance’s 2026 Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide:
- Standard policy: PIP medical limits can be as low as $15,000 or as high as $250,000 or more. Common options are $15,000, $50,000, $75,000, $150,000 and $250,000.
- Basic policy: $15,000 per person, per accident, with up to $250,000 available for certain serious injuries, such as significant brain or spinal cord injuries.
- Deductible and copay: you choose a medical deductible ($250 is the most common choice). Most policies then have a 20% copayment on expenses between the deductible and $5,000.
- Health insurance as primary: some drivers choose to make their health insurance pay first to lower premiums. If you did, your health plan’s rules, networks and referrals may apply. Medicare and Medicaid can’t be used for that option.
What to do in the first 72 hours
- Get emergency care first if you need it. Severe pain, numbness, weakness, confusion, a bad headache or trouble breathing means the emergency department, not a scheduled appointment.
- Report the claim to your auto insurer and write down the claim number. You’ll be asked for it at every office visit.
- Document everything. Photos of the cars and the scene, the police report number, names of witnesses, and a simple daily note of how you feel.
- Get evaluated even if you “feel fine.” Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash often show up 24 to 72 hours after a crash, once adrenaline wears off. (We explain why in our whiplash guide.)
- Follow the plan. Gaps in treatment are hard on your recovery, and insurers notice them.
Decision point review and precertification, explained
New Jersey PIP has a state-mandated process called decision point review. In plain terms, your treating providers send information to your auto insurer at set points in your care, and certain non-emergency tests and treatments are submitted for precertification before they happen. If a required step is skipped, you can be charged an additional copayment.
This is a big reason why it helps to treat with an office that handles auto cases every day. Our team is familiar with the paperwork side of PIP, so you can focus on getting better.
What treatment usually looks like
Every case is different, but many accident patients start with an evaluation, then a plan that may combine:
- Chiropractic care for neck and back mobility
- Physical therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion
- Pain management when pain is limiting your recovery
- Referral to orthopedics or spine surgery specialists when imaging or symptoms call for it
Because NJ Institute for Pain Relief has these specialties under one name, your providers can talk to each other instead of you carrying files between offices. See how we approach motor vehicle accident care and personal injury care.
Questions New Jersey patients ask
Do I need a lawyer before I see a doctor?
No. PIP pays for medical treatment regardless of fault, so you can start care right away. Whether to talk to an attorney about a separate injury claim is your decision, and many patients do so after they’ve been evaluated.
The other driver was at fault. Why is my insurance paying?
Because New Jersey is a no-fault state for medical expenses. Your PIP pays first. Claims against the at-fault driver for other damages are a separate matter.
What if I chose health insurance as primary?
Then your health plan generally pays first, and its referral and network rules may apply. Call us with your plan information and we’ll help you sort out the next step.
How soon should I be seen?
As soon as possible after any emergency care. Early evaluation documents your injuries and starts recovery before stiffness and guarding set in.
Ready to get checked?
We see accident patients at 10 offices across New Jersey, from Fair Lawn to Linwood. Call (855) 425-1900 or request an appointment online. Have your claim number handy and we’ll take it from there.
This article is general education, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Every injury and every policy is different. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
