Net RecoveryNet Recovery
Medical Lien Settlement Reduction Calculator
Estimate net recovery after attorney fees, costs, liens, and reductions.
JusticeFinder Tool
No-Fault vs At-Fault States
Whether you sue the other driver or turn to your own coverage first depends on whether your state is no-fault, at-fault, add-on, or choice. Look up your state to see which system applies and what it means for your claim.
No-fault or at-fault by state
Select a state for the verdict in plain English, or scan the full, sortable 50-state table below.
How to use this tool
- Open the state reference tool. Scroll to the explorer and note that values are educational summaries of published state rules—not legal advice.
- Select your state. Choose the state where the crash, claim, or policy question arose so the table and summary focus on the right rule set.
- Read the rule and caveats. Review limits, fault systems, deadlines, or coverage notes, including any “verify before relying” warnings.
- Continue with a related calculator. Use the linked tools for fault, statute timing, coverage gaps, or settlement math once you know the state baseline.
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Why the system changes your whole claim
No-fault and at-fault states route the same crash down very different paths.
In an at-fault state you pursue the driver who caused the crash. In a no-fault state you turn to your own PIP first, and you can only step outside the system to sue if you meet the state's injury or monetary threshold. Add-on and choice states sit in between.
Knowing which system applies tells you who pays first, whether a lawsuit is even on the table yet, and what coverage you should be looking at.
Related Resources
Use these pages and documentation tools to validate the estimate, preserve evidence, and keep the claim file organized.
Guide
No-Fault vs At-Fault States Guide
Understand PIP, tort thresholds, and choice states before looking up a state's system.
Related Tool
Minimum Insurance by State
See the required limits and coverages alongside whether the state is no-fault or at-fault.
Related Tool
Net Settlement Calculator
Once you know how your claim proceeds, model what a settlement nets after fees and liens.
Guides
Insurance Claims Guides
Read the long-form guides on PIP, UM/UIM, and how no-fault claims actually work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does no-fault insurance mean?
In a no-fault state, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays your medical and certain wage-loss costs regardless of who caused the crash, and your ability to sue is limited unless you meet a threshold.
What is an at-fault (tort) state?
In an at-fault state, the driver who caused the crash (through their insurer) is responsible for your damages, and you generally pursue a claim against them directly.
What are add-on and choice states?
Add-on states offer PIP-style coverage without limiting your right to sue. Choice states let drivers select a tort or no-fault option when they buy the policy.
How do I step outside no-fault to sue?
No-fault states set a threshold — often a serious-injury or monetary threshold — that, once met, lets you pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver.
Educational Use Disclaimer
This tool is an educational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. No-fault rules, thresholds, and exceptions vary and change; confirm how your state's system applies with a licensed attorney or your insurer. Values shown as “under review” are not yet published.
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