Limited Tort vs. Full Tort – Pennsylvania Auto Insurance
In Pennsylvania, you’ll choose between limited and full tort coverage for auto insurance. The primary difference between the two lies in your ability to seek compensation for pain and suffering after a car accident. Understanding the implications of choosing full tort vs. limited tort coverage is essential when navigating the aftermath of a car accident.
Consult an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney to ensure you fully understand your rights, potential limitations, and right to compensation under your chosen coverage.
Full Tort Insurance
Full tort insurance in Pennsylvania is an automobile insurance option that allows policyholders the unrestricted right to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, after a car accident without the need to meet specific injury criteria. While it often comes with higher premiums, it offers broader legal protection.
What Is Limited Tort Insurance?
Limited tort insurance is an automobile insurance option that offers reduced premiums in exchange for limitations on an insured person’s ability to seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, in the event of a car accident. Under limited tort, policyholders can pursue compensation for medical bills and other economic losses, but they can only sue for non-economic damages if their injuries meet specific criteria.
These criteria usually require that the injuries result in significant impairment of bodily function or permanent and severe disfigurement. Limited tort is designed to provide cost savings on insurance premiums but can limit an individual’s ability to seek full compensation for the intangible losses associated with an accident.
Pennsylvania Limited Tort Exceptions
You may be wondering, Can you sue with limited tort in PA? In Pennsylvania, limited tort insurance generally restricts an individual’s ability to sue for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, following a car accident unless their injuries meet certain exceptions outlined by state law. These exceptions allow limited tort policyholders to overcome the restrictions and seek full compensation for their intangible losses.
Common exceptions to limited tort coverage include the following:
- Drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or accept Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for a DUI offense;
- Drivers who operate a vehicle registered in another state or is driving a non-registered or uninsured vehicle;
- Drivers who suffer injuries while riding as a passenger in a commercial vehicle, like a bus or taxi, and
- Drivers who sustain injuries caused by an out-of-state driver, where the out-of-state driver has full tort coverage.
These exceptions expand the legal rights of limited tort policyholders, allowing them to pursue a lawsuit for pain and suffering when their injuries meet the criteria outlined by Pennsylvania law. Consulting with a personal injury attorney is essential to determine if your case falls under these exceptions.
Learn More About Full Tort vs Limited Tort and How the Difference Can Impact Your Settlement Amount
Insurance will play a significant role in your recovery if you were recently involved in a Pennsylvania car accident. Additionally, if you end up dealing with a difficult insurance company, it can significantly increase the stress involved. However, the dedicated Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers can help.
With decades of combined experience successfully handling personal injury cases on behalf of our clients, we can streamline the recovery process, easing the burdens placed on you and maximizing your chances of recovery. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, call Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.
