What Is No-Fault Insurance?
No-fault insurance means your own insurance pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the accident.
No-Fault States
The following states have no-fault insurance:
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky (choice)
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey (choice)
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania (choice)
- Utah
How It Works for Pedestrians
#Your Own Coverage
- If you have auto insurance, your PIP covers you
- If hit by a car, driver's insurance may cover you
- Health insurance as secondary coverage
#What PIP Covers
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (percentage)
- Replacement services
- Funeral expenses
#Limits on Lawsuits
In no-fault states, you can only sue if:
- Injuries exceed a threshold (serious/permanent)
- Medical expenses exceed monetary threshold
- Death occurred
Verbal vs Monetary Thresholds
#Verbal Threshold States
Must prove serious injury:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Bone fracture
- Loss of body function
#Monetary Threshold States
Medical expenses must exceed amount:
- Varies by state ($2,000-$5,000+)
- Once exceeded, can sue for all damages
Pedestrian-Specific Rules
#New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
The following states have no-fault insurance:
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky (choice)
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey (choice)
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania (choice)
- Utah
How It Works for Pedestrians
#Your Own Coverage
- If you have auto insurance, your PIP covers you
- If hit by a car, driver's insurance may cover you
- Health insurance as secondary coverage
#What PIP Covers
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (percentage)
- Replacement services
- Funeral expenses
#Limits on Lawsuits
In no-fault states, you can only sue if:
- Injuries exceed a threshold (serious/permanent)
- Medical expenses exceed monetary threshold
- Death occurred
Verbal vs Monetary Thresholds
#Verbal Threshold States
Must prove serious injury:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Bone fracture
- Loss of body function
#Monetary Threshold States
Medical expenses must exceed amount:
- Varies by state ($2,000-$5,000+)
- Once exceeded, can sue for all damages
Pedestrian-Specific Rules
#New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
- If you have auto insurance, your PIP covers you
- If hit by a car, driver's insurance may cover you
- Health insurance as secondary coverage
#
What PIP Covers
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (percentage)
- Replacement services
- Funeral expenses
#Limits on Lawsuits
In no-fault states, you can only sue if:
- Injuries exceed a threshold (serious/permanent)
- Medical expenses exceed monetary threshold
- Death occurred
Verbal vs Monetary Thresholds
#Verbal Threshold States
Must prove serious injury:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Bone fracture
- Loss of body function
#Monetary Threshold States
Medical expenses must exceed amount:
- Varies by state ($2,000-$5,000+)
- Once exceeded, can sue for all damages
Pedestrian-Specific Rules
#New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
In no-fault states, you can only sue if:
- Injuries exceed a threshold (serious/permanent)
- Medical expenses exceed monetary threshold
- Death occurred
Verbal vs Monetary Thresholds
#Verbal Threshold States
Must prove serious injury:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Bone fracture
- Loss of body function
#Monetary Threshold States
Medical expenses must exceed amount:
- Varies by state ($2,000-$5,000+)
- Once exceeded, can sue for all damages
Pedestrian-Specific Rules
#New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
Must prove serious injury:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Bone fracture
- Loss of body function
#
Monetary Threshold States
Medical expenses must exceed amount:
- Varies by state ($2,000-$5,000+)
- Once exceeded, can sue for all damages
Pedestrian-Specific Rules
#New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
#
New York
- Pedestrians can get PIP from driver's insurance
- Can sue if serious injury threshold met
#Michigan
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
- Unlimited PIP benefits available
- Strong pedestrian protections
#
Florida
- Must have your own PIP or health insurance
- Can sue for permanent injury
Key Takeaways
- No-fault affects 12 states plus some choice states
- PIP covers your injuries regardless of fault
- Thresholds limit when you can file a lawsuit
- Pedestrians have some special protections
- An attorney can navigate these complex rules
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