Pain and Suffering From a Vehicle Accident Electing “limited tort” on your own motor vehicle policy in Pennsylvania saves you a few bucks ($100-$300 per year on your premiums), but you risk waiving your right to sue for pain and suffering (or “non-economic loss”) for a car accident. (Click here…
Limited Tort Exception in PA: Drunk Driver (Or Ability Impaired)
Limited Tort Exception: Driving Under the Influence (“Drunk driver”) Motorists bound by “limited tort” in PA may lose the right to sue for pain and suffering from a motor vehicle accident, unless an exception applies. These include: A passenger in a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or ridershare, when…
PA: What Scar is Needed to Overcome Tort Restriction?
An Often Overlooked Limited Tort Exceptions: Disfigurement. A motorist or passenger in Pennsylvania bound by the “limited tort” election can only sue for economic loss, not pain and suffering, unless certain exceptions (such as drunk driving) apply. The most common exception is when the injury causes a serious impairment of…
“Serious Impairment of Bodily Function” Defined in PA
Serious Impairment of an Important Bodily Function This Pittsburgh lawyer has written previously about the perils of electing the “Limited Tort Option” under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (“MVFRL”). This election precludes you from recovering non-economic damages for a crash, unless an exception applies, such injuries outside of…
Cost of Full Tort Versus Limited: PA
Our Pittsburgh lawyers often have bad news for the injured motorist who had elected “limited tort” to save a little money on the cost of car insurance. “Limited” tort does just that. It limits your ability to sue for the consequences of an accident caused by another. You see,…
Pedestrian Fatalities on the Rise, But Why?
Deadly Pedestrian Injury Despite New Technology The risk of death to a pedestrian via motor vehicle accident is not new. We’ve had gas powered cars in the US since 1893! Since then, technology has advanced dramatically in ways that help drivers steer clear of pedestrians (pun intended). For example: There…
Time Period to Bring Suit Governed by Tort Restriction
The Statute of Limitations and Limited Tort As any Pittsburgh lawyer will tell you, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania to sue for injuries in a motor vehicle accident is two years from the accident. Pennsylvania has something called the “discovery rule,” which tolls (or extends) the statute of limitations…
How Did I Elect a Tort Restriction Option?!
Did You Really Elect “Limited Tort” Prior to Your Accident? You’ve been in a car accident and you’re learning that your “limited tort” election now prevents you from suing for pain and suffering (a/k/a non-economic losses) for your injuries, potentially. Click here to learn the value of pain and suffering. …
Why Do Many Lawyers Decline All Tort Restriction Cases?
Many Lawyers — Not Us! — Say “NO” to All Limited Tort Cases Our Pittsburgh attorneys love taking on limited tort cases. That said, prospective clients often tell us: “I called other auto injury lawyers and they said they don’t handle limited tort.” This raises the question: if a lawyer…
PA Tort Restriction: Occupant of “Private Passenger Vehicle”
Limitations on Limited Tort Our Pittsburgh lawyers explain the limited tort election elsewhere on this blog (here). Briefly, electing limited tort on one’s motor vehicle insurance policy — to get lower premiums — precludes the right to sue for pain and suffering from a motor vehicle collision. PA’s limited tort…
