Under New Jersey’s "no-fault" law, your own auto insurance pays for your medical treatment after a car accident through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), no matter who caused the crash.

PIP pays for your doctor visits, therapies, and medical care right away so you can get treated immediately without waiting to figure out who was at fault. If you don't own a car or have your own policy, you are usually covered under a family member's policy in your household or through the policy of the vehicle you were in.

Unlike your medical treatment, fixing your car depends on who caused the accident. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance company pays for your repairs; if you caused it—or if the other driver doesn't have enough coverage—your own auto insurance will pay if you have collision coverage.

Yes, you can see different doctors and specialists for your accident injuries. Under New Jersey PIP rules, your medical providers must submit a treatment plan to your auto insurance company for pre-approval—called precertification—to ensure the care or specialist visit is medically necessary. As long as the care is approved and medically required for your injuries, PIP covers treatments from specialists like orthopedists, neurologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists.