This month’s article will focus on insurance, namely car insurance. Car insurance is a necessary evil as it allows us to compensate others for injuries that we cause as well as to collect money should we be injured in a car accident. Like other purchases, consumers of car insurance always try to get the best deal. It is important to understand the decisions that you make when purchasing insurance can have a large impact on your life should you be injured in an accident.

The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law governs the area of car insurance in Pennsylvania. One of the most important decisions that a car owner makes when purchasing insurance is called the “Full Tort Election.” In the full tort election, a consumer can choose to pay slightly more money to have full tort coverage. Full tort coverage allows an injured party to recover damages for pain and suffering without having to prove that they are seriously injured. A serious injury in Pennsylvania is determined by a variety of factors, but essentially, a serious injury will involve some sort of ongoing physical problems related to the injury sustained in the accident. This type of injury can be difficult to prove. If a consumer does not have full tort coverage, then the consumer may be barred from seeking pain and suffering. This can dramatically affect the value of a case, or even if an attorney will take your case at all. In short, it would be wise to pay a little extra to the insurance company to allow yourself to be adequately compensated if you are injured.

If you have any other questions about the full tort elections, or about accident law in general, please feel free to give my office a call.