Differences Between Full Tort and Limited Tort

In Pennsylvania, there are full and limited tort options when purchasing auto insurance. Selecting limited tort may save you some money, but it could haunt you later if you are injured in an accident. Your limited tort choice could hinder your ability to collect the money you deserve. If you have been in an accident, it is best to discuss your coverage choices and ability to recover for your loss with our trusted Pittsburgh auto accident lawyers.

What are the Differences Between Full and Limited Tort?

If a person is in an accident that was the fault of another, full tort coverage allows that individual to make a claim for pain and suffering. The injuries do NOT have to be severe to recover damages. You must prove that you were in fact injured. Your injuries could be soft tissue injuries such whiplash, backpain, and/or headache.

With limited tort a person does not have the right to receive damages for pain and suffering. There are a few exceptions, including if a person with limited tort coverage incurs serious injury from the accident. There is no bright line rule for what injuries are considered serious and it is a high bar to prove. That is were an experienced attorney comes in to evaluate your case if you have chosen the limited tort option.

Additional exceptions where limited tort insurance selection can recover pain and suffering is if the wrongdoer who hits you is an out of state vehicle. It is important to always take a photo of the license plate of any vehicle who comes into contact with a car you are driving or riding in as a passenger. If the vehicle is an out of state vehicle, your limited tort selection is changed to full tort coverage.

Also, if you are injured by a drunk driver, your limited tort will become full tort coverage. This applies when you are the driver of a separate vehicle who was struck or if you were a passenger in a vehicle who was struck. Remember, this applies if you were a passenger in the drunk driver’s vehicle too!

Finally, if you are driving or riding in a commercial vehicle, your limited tort coverage will become full tort in the event of an accident. This applies to driving company cars/trucks, and riding on buses and other public transportation.

Why is it Important to Work with an Experienced Attorney?

If you selected full tort for your coverage, you deserve the maximum amount for your pain and suffering, and you will need an experienced attorney to advocate for you. We unfortunately have heard time and time again from our clients who have settled past cases themselves directly with the insurance company that they accepted offers that were tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars too low than if they had an experienced, respected and zealous attorney to advocate on their behalf.

If you selected limited tort for your coverage and must prove a limited tort exception applies to your case, you will need an experienced attorney to do so. At Hal Waldman & Associates, we are Pittsburgh auto accident lawyers who know what situations overcome a limited tort selection and when a serious injury argument should be made. Our team understands how to deal with these cases and the serious injuries exception. We can shoulder your burdens while you recover. Few people outside of the legal profession comprehend their full rights and we are here to explain the process every step of the way.

How Hal Waldman & Associates Can Help You

We know how to successfully fight insurance companies that do not want to pay fair compensation for your injuries. We know the limited tort exceptions that will help to prove your right to receive damages. We will be there for you so that you can recover with peace of mind. Call our office for a consultation today.