When you purchase auto insurance, you face a critical decision: choosing between Full Tort and Limited Tort coverage. This choice determines your legal rights following an accident.
Many drivers focus only on the premium savings but they fail to consider the profound impact this selection has on their ability to recover damages for injuries. Understanding the difference is not just about saving money, it is about protecting your financial future. This can also impact your right to justice after a serious crash.
Securing the full right to recovery
Full Tort gives drivers the maximum legal protection available under Pennsylvania law. If another driver causes a collision you can pursue all economic damages like medical bills and lost wages. Crucially, you also retain the unrestricted right to sue the at-fault party for non-economic damages.
These damages include compensation for your pain suffering and reduced quality of life often representing the largest portion of a serious injury settlement. Full Tort status ensures you have complete control over your civil remedies.
The restrictions of Limited Tort
Limited Tort lowers your premium but significantly restricts your legal options. You can still recover your economic losses such as medical expenses. However, Limited Tort coverage waives your right to recover non-economic damages unless your injuries meet a “serious injury” threshold defined by the state.
This threshold is high and difficult to meet. Limited Tort drivers cannot sue for general pain and suffering in most cases leaving them with dramatically reduced recovery options even when an accident severely impacts their life.
Protecting your right to justice
Your choice of tort option fundamentally defines your civil rights after an accident. If you suffer injury due to someone else’s negligence, the insurance companies immediately begin analyzing your policy choice to limit their financial exposure.
With the proper legal guidance, you can tread this challenging path and get clarity on what you can and cannot recover. Do not let confusion or financial pressure diminish your chance at a full recovery.