After a serious accident in Philadelphia, call 911. Paramedics will take you to the hospital best able to treat your injuries, which may be a trauma center. For less urgent injuries, go to the nearest emergency room, an urgent care center or your own doctor the same day.
Trauma Centers in Philadelphia
Trauma centers are hospitals accredited by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation to treat the most serious injuries around the clock. As of 2025, Philadelphia’s accredited trauma centers are:
Adult Level I Trauma Centers
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (Penn Medicine), University City
- Temple University Hospital (Temple Health), North Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Jefferson Health), Center City
- Jefferson Einstein Hospital (Jefferson Health), Olney
Adult Level II Trauma Center
- Jefferson Torresdale Hospital (Jefferson Health), Northeast Philadelphia
Pediatric Level I Trauma Centers
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), University City
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, North Philadelphia
Hospital names and designations change from time to time. Check the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation for the current list. Several hospitals that once served Philadelphia, including Hahnemann University Hospital, have closed.
What to Do at the Hospital After an Accident
- Tell the staff how you were hurt, such as in a car crash, a fall or at work, and describe every symptom.
- For a car crash, give the hospital your own auto insurance information. In Pennsylvania, your auto policy pays your first medical bills, at least $5,000.
- For a work injury, tell the hospital it happened at work and report it to your employer. See work injuries and workers’ compensation.
- Keep your discharge papers, prescriptions and follow-up instructions.
- Follow up with your own doctor within a few days, and keep every appointment.
Getting care quickly protects your health and your claim. See do I need to go to the hospital after a car accident.
Getting Your Medical Records
You have a right to copies of your medical records. Ask the hospital’s medical records (health information) department for a request form. Your lawyer can also request records and bills for you with your written permission, which saves you the paperwork.
If You Were Hurt at the Hospital
Injuries can also happen inside a hospital, from falls to medication errors and surgical mistakes. See hospital negligence, hospital slip and falls and medical malpractice.
Hospital FAQ
It depends on where you are. Philadelphia’s adult Level I trauma centers are Penn Presbyterian, Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Einstein. Jefferson Torresdale is a Level II center. In an emergency, call 911 and paramedics will choose the right hospital.
Your own auto insurance pays first through first-party medical benefits, no matter who caused the crash. Every Pennsylvania policy includes at least $5,000. After that, health insurance usually pays, and the at-fault driver’s insurer may pay in your injury claim.
It’s a good idea to be checked the same day. Injuries like whiplash, concussions and internal bleeding can take hours or days to show symptoms, and an early medical record protects your claim.
Talk to a Philadelphia Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt in an accident, Philly Injury Lawyer can handle the insurance companies and medical bills while you focus on getting better. Call (215) 735-4800 for a free consultation. We Win or It’s Free®.
