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Short answer

Yes — you can often recover past medical bills and the reasonable cost of medically necessary future treatment and therapy caused by an accident in New Jersey. How you recover those costs depends on whether you use your no-fault (PIP) benefits, pursue a claim against the at-fault party, or both. To recover future treatment costs you generally must show the treatment is related to the accident, reasonable, and likely needed; that usually requires medical records and expert testimony.

Detailed answer — how recovery works in New Jersey

1) Two main tracks: PIP (no-fault) vs. tort (at-fault)

New Jersey requires auto policies to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or similar no-fault benefits. PIP pays reasonable and necessary medical and therapy expenses (and certain other losses) regardless of fault — subject to your policy limits and any applicable deductibles. If PIP (or another insurance policy) covers your bills, those benefits pay first.

If your injuries meet the legal threshold for suing the at-fault driver (the “serious injury” or statutory tort threshold under New Jersey law), you can also seek additional compensation from the at-fault party for economic losses (past and future medical costs, lost wages) and, if available, non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Whether you can bring a tort claim and recover extra damages depends on statutory rules and case law specific to New Jersey. For general information about New Jersey laws and statutes, see the New Jersey Legislature site: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.

2) What counts as recoverable medical and therapy expenses?

• Past medical bills: hospital bills, doctor visits, imaging (X-rays, MRI), prescriptions, physical therapy bills, and other directly related treatment are typically recoverable if you prove they were caused by the accident and were reasonable.
• Future medical and therapy costs: recoverable if a medical professional reasonably expects you will need continued care. Courts commonly require expert testimony (for example, from your treating physician or an independent medical expert) to prove future needs and costs and to calculate present value.
• Related out-of-pocket costs: transportation to medical appointments, some adaptive equipment, and home care (if medically necessary) can be recoverable as economic damages when supported by evidence.

3) Proof you will need

To recover medical and therapy expenses you generally must prove:

1. Causation: the treatment relates to the accident.
2. Necessity: the treatment is medically necessary.
3. Reasonableness: the bills are a reasonable charge for the service.
4. Future need and cost: for future care, reliable medical opinions and cost estimates (often reduced to present value) are needed.

4) Subrogation, liens and reimbursements

If an insurer (your own PIP carrier, a private health insurer, or a government program like Medicare/Medicaid) pays your bills, that payer may have a right to be reimbursed from your settlement or court award. That means a portion of any recovery may go to satisfy liens or subrogation claims. Federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid have mandatory recovery rules; private insurers and health plans often assert contractual reimbursement rights. You should expect to address liens during settlement negotiations.

5) Timing — statute of limitations and prompt action

New Jersey sets time limits for filing personal injury claims. Missing a deadline can permanently bar recovery. For most personal injury claims, the general statute of limitations applies (consult the New Jersey Legislature or New Jersey Court resources for the exact rule that applies to your case). For general resources about New Jersey court procedures see: https://www.njcourts.gov/.

6) Settlement vs. trial

Most accident cases resolve through settlement. Settlements require negotiation about the size of future medical award and how liens will be paid. If you cannot reach a fair settlement, you can file suit and present evidence at trial to recover past and future medical expenses. At trial, judges and juries weigh medical records, expert testimony, and proof about reasonableness and causation.

7) Practical limits and strategies

• Insurance policy limits: the at-fault party’s insurance may limit total recovery if it’s insufficient to cover all damages.
• Comparative fault: New Jersey uses comparative negligence, so if you share fault, your recovery may be reduced proportionally.
• Documentation is critical: good records, consistent treatment, and credible expert reports strengthen claims for future care.

For consumer-facing information about auto-insurance benefits (PIP) in New Jersey see the Department of Banking and Insurance: https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/. For federal lien and reimbursement rules (e.g., Medicare), see: https://www.medicare.gov/.

Helpful hints — practical steps to protect your right to recover medical and therapy costs

1. Seek medical care immediately and follow doctors’ treatment plans. Delays or gaps can weaken your claim about causation and necessity.
2. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, therapy notes, prescriptions, referral letters, and diagnostic reports.
3. Track out-of-pocket costs: mileage to appointments, co-pays, medical supplies, and lost wages tied to treatment days.
4. Notify your auto insurer and any other relevant insurers promptly. Ask about PIP and how to submit bills.
5. Preserve evidence from the accident (photos, witness names, police report) — they support causation and severity arguments.
6. Be cautious about early settlement offers. Insurers often make low initial offers before the full extent of future treatment is known.
7. Ask about liens early. Identify any health insurers, Medicare/Medicaid, or other entities that might seek reimbursement so you can plan settlements accordingly.
8. Consult an attorney experienced with New Jersey accident claims before you sign release paperwork. An attorney can estimate future medical needs and negotiate lien issues and policy-limit settlements on your behalf.
9. Act quickly to preserve legal rights. Statutes of limitations and notice requirements can bar claims if you wait too long.

When to get legal help

If you face ongoing treatment, substantial future-care needs, complex lien/subrogation issues, or a dispute with an insurer about whether your injuries meet the tort threshold, consult an attorney experienced in New Jersey personal injury and auto claims. An attorney can help evaluate whether you should pursue a PIP claim, a tort claim, or both; collect medical proof of future needs; value your claim; and handle negotiations and lien resolution.