Erica Seryhm Lee / KHN
Mark Gottlieb’s life changed in an instant when another driver crashed into his car, damaging four vertebrae in his upper spine and smashing six teeth.
In the months following that January 2019 crash, Gottlieb, 59, a marketing consultant in Little Ferry, New Jersey, got the teeth crowned and, for debilitating neck pain, tried injections, chiropractic care and physical therapy. The treatments were all covered by his Geico car insurance.
As in 12 other states, New Jersey law requires drivers to buy personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage to pay medical expenses. Gottlieb had the maximum: $250,000.
Unfortunately, Gottlieb’s pain persisted.