Accidents leave people with more than physical injuries and these damages or losses have a long lasting effect on the victims. Some of them often can be a life long effect. If you are injured in a car accident it is important to make sure if your injury is serious or trivial.
The word “Tort” is used as a legal term that refers to any civil wrong or injury other than breach of contract for which the affected person is provided remedy in the form of damages or in action. Full tort coverage on auto insurance ensures that your family’s full legal rights are protected in the case of an accident or injury. In other words, full tort coverage gives you the unlimited right to sue the other party for non-economic automobile related damages caused by the at fault driver. This kind of injuries includes pain and suffering caused due to the irresponsible driving of the other driver.
Pennsylvania is one of the states that require tort coverage in auto insurance. The already confusing auto insurance becomes more so when it comes to choosing between limited tort or full trot coverage. The only thing you know is that limited tort coverage limits your right to sue the other party for non economic damage in consideration for a small difference in the premium to get a lower rate. It literally means that you are giving up your right to receive compensation for the pain and suffering you suffered due injuries resulting from car accident.
Pennsylvania law allows compensation only death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement under the limited tort auto insurance. More often, when you are involved in an accident, the assessment of the severity of injuries is the responsibility of the insurance company. The insurance company may not agree with your perception of severity of your injuries. Unless the insurer considers the injury as ‘serious’ you cannot claim compensation for your loss. The end result can be really disappointing as you have lost many of your rights to get compensated for much more by choosing limited tort.
On the other hand full tort auto insurance gives you the right to fight and get compensated for losses of non –economic nature such as pain and suffering due to car, motorcycle or truck accident. This choice enables you to claim compensation for pain and suffering from others if they are found at fault in the accident.