Pennsylvania Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in Pennsylvania — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, Pennsylvania-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
2 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Choice No-Fault
No-Fault Auto?
Choice
Min. Liability
$15,000 / $30,000
Worth knowing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a 'choice' no-fault state: drivers select limited or full tort coverage, which affects the right to sue for pain and suffering.
The deadline to file in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania generally gives injured people 2 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How Pennsylvania handles fault
Pennsylvania's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
No-fault vs. at-fault in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a "choice" no-fault state: when you buy auto insurance you elect either limited or full tort coverage, and that choice controls whether — and how easily — you can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering. Check which option is on your policy.
Minimum insurance in Pennsylvania
Drivers in Pennsylvania must carry at least $15,000 / $30,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in Pennsylvania? Talk to a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in Pennsylvania for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 2 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is Pennsylvania a no-fault or at-fault state?
Pennsylvania is a "choice" no-fault state: when you buy auto insurance you elect either limited or full tort coverage, and that choice controls whether — and how easily — you can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering. Check which option is on your policy.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the Pennsylvania crash?
Pennsylvania's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $15,000 / $30,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.