The first and foremost priority of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Powell Law is helping our clients completely recover their losses for the harm caused by others. If you require legal counsel and assistance in litigating a claim for damages resulting from an accident, contact Powell Law.
As most Pennsylvania residents know, if you operate a vehicle in Pennsylvania, you must have automobile insurance. Certain types and limits of insurance are mandatory, while other types of coverage are optional. The required coverages are as follows:
It is also acceptable for a Pennsylvania motorist to carry a combined single limit of $35,000 to cover both bodily injury and property damage in order to meet legal minimum requirements.
In 1990, Pennsylvania lawmakers enacted a unique system hoping to reduce automobile insurance premium costs. As a result, all Pennsylvania drivers are given the choice of selecting either limited tort or full tort insurance on their private passenger motor vehicle insurance policies.
Similarly, both limited tort and full tort policies entitle a person to recover economic losses such as lost wages or unpaid medical bills regardless of the degree of injury.
But here is where the two differ: A full tort policy allows a person to recover noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, regardless of the injury’s severity. If a person selects a limited tort policy, he may only recover noneconomic damages for pain and suffering if that person suffers a serious injury. Pennsylvania law defines a “serious injury” as a personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of a body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Injuries that commonly meet the definition of “serious injury” include the following:
The following six exceptions (in addition to “serious injury”) allow drivers with limited tort policies to collect noneconomic damages for pain and suffering:
Determining whether an insured with a limited tort policy qualifies for an exception under Pennsylvania law, thus allowing the recovery of noneconomic damages, may be crucial in a personal injury case. Powell Law’s attorneys have unmatched experience assisting individuals who have suffered damages caused by the negligence of others, especially motorists. At Powell Law, it is our goal to protect and assert our clients’ rights effectively. Powell Law has an established 113-year-old reputation throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE, and you don’t pay unless we win!