What should I do after a car accident in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1701-1799.7).

1. Immediate Steps at the Scene

Stop and exchange information (75 Pa.C.S. § 3744). Leaving an injury scene is a felony.

Render aid (§ 3744(a)).

Photograph, get witnesses, call 911 for injuries.

2. Mandatory Reporting

Police: Required for injury, death, or if a vehicle requires towing (75 Pa.C.S. § 3746).

Driver's Accident Report (Form AA-600): Required within 5 days to PennDOT if the crash was not investigated by police AND involved injury, death, or damage to any one vehicle exceeding the towable threshold (75 Pa.C.S. § 3747).

3. Minimum Insurance

15/30/5 liability + $5,000 First Party Medical Benefits (75 Pa.C.S. § 1711). PA's minimum is among the lowest in the U.S.

4. Limited vs. Full Tort Election (75 Pa.C.S. § 1705)

At policy purchase, each insured selects:

Limited tort (cheaper premium): You may recover economic losses (medical, wages) but cannot sue for pain and suffering unless you suffered "serious injury" (death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement).

Full tort (higher premium): You retain the right to sue for all damages, including pain and suffering.

Several exceptions allow limited-tort drivers to sue anyway: drunk-driver defendants, out-of-state defendants, commercial vehicles, intentional acts (§ 1705(d)).

5. Modified Comparative Negligence — 51% Bar

Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, you are barred from recovery if your fault is greater than 50%.

6. Statute of Limitations

Personal injury: 2 years (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524).

Property damage: 2 years (§ 5524).

Wrongful death/survival: 2 years (§ 5524(2)).

Claims against PA Commonwealth/local agency: 6-month notice under the Sovereign/Political Subdivision Tort Claims Acts (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5522, 8522).

This is legal information, not legal advice.