Let’s say you and a friend are in your car at a stop light waiting for the light to change and…BAM! You are hit from behind by a driver who was too busy texting on his phone. If you are thinking that surely such a negligent driver will have to pay the medical bills you incurred due to their carelessness, you are wrong.
Pursuant to NJ PIP Law, New Jersey is a No-Fault state where almost all motorists (except for a few exceptions) are required to have some amount of PIP coverage as part of their auto policy. This is not to be confused with whatever personal injury claim you may have against the other driver (where in certain circumstances you can sue the negligent driver in a separate claim). This simply covers who pays for the medical treatment you receive if you are injured in an auto accident. NJ PIP Law coverage is available in varying amounts but its purpose is to essentially assure that in the event of an accident, the medical bills will get paid to the extent provided for in the policy. However, it also means that in many cases, under NJ PIP Law it is you or your family member’s insurance that will pay for your medical bills, even if your injuries are the result of the negligence of another driver. This includes pedestrians and bicyclists who are hit by cars as well.
