If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, you may have many concerns. One of the most important questions to consider is whether your car insurance policy provides limited tort or full tort coverage. This choice can significantly affect your ability to recover certain types of compensation after a crash, such as for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. Many people wonder, “What is limited tort in Pennsylvania?”
Our experienced law firm has nearly half a century of experience and in-depth knowledge covering these topics. If you are unsure about how your specific type of insurance policy aligns with your needs after a Pennsylvania car accident, Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, can explain how the law governs these cases. We can also determine if you could be eligible to pursue a settlement.
How Does Limited Tort Work for Pennsylvania Drivers?
Pennsylvania is versatile in terms of car insurance requirements, as it gives drivers a choice between limited tort and full tort coverage. The selection is made through the driver’s automobile insurance policy.
With limited tort, you generally retain the ability to seek compensation for out-of-pocket economic losses, including qualifying medical expenses and other covered losses. This can be highly valuable, especially given how much damage a car accident can cause to your body and property.
However, limited tort laws note that you generally cannot recover certain non-economic damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering, unless your circumstances fall within one of Pennsylvania’s statutory exceptions.
Facts About Limited Tort Coverage
Limited tort coverage can be appealing to drivers because it sometimes offers lower premiums when compared to full tort. However, the trade-off is that a driver relinquishes some rights to pursue legal action following the accident.
It’s important to remember that you can still recover certain economic losses in qualifying limited tort cases, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage through applicable coverage
While some people still want to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, this is only available in certain situations. For example, an injury must be considered severe, not just in terms of the price of the medical bills, but in how it affects the life of the victim.
A Pennsylvania car accident attorney from our firm can explain more about your options and build your case. While you may feel like your policy limits your options to recover non-economic damages, it is possible to make a strong case that earns you compensation if your situation necessitates it. Let us put our decades of limited tort case experience to work for you.
Statistics About Pennsylvania Car Accidents
Pennsylvania has over 10 million licensed drivers, and many drivers from neighboring states are also traveling across our roads for business and personal matters. 2025 saw 70,438 crashes on state highways, along with 9,871 crashes on interstate highways.
No matter where the accident happens, it can cause long-term damage and may grow worse. For example, serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, were known to grow worse in 30% of victims within five years. These conditions and their escalating severity can often lead to pain and suffering, meaning your limited tort policy may not provide all the coverage you need – unless you contact a skilled lawyer to seek full compensation.
FAQs
Is Limited Tort Coverage Better Than Full Tort Coverage?
Whether limited tort coverage is better than full tort coverage is subjective and depends on what you’re looking for in an insurance policy. Each option provides different levels of coverage for different prices, which creates an important decision for every Pennsylvania driver. While a limited tort policy may limit your options for recovering compensation, you can still pursue a case when you hire a car accident lawyer from our firm.
How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take?
The time a car accident claim takes can vary, depending on several factors. If a case goes to court, the case can be extended significantly, especially if there is a backlog of cases. Even if the matter is negotiated privately through insurance companies, timelines can be extended if there are debates about damages, fault, and any evidence presented to prove facts about the case. When we know the details, we can advise you about potential timelines for your claim.
What Are Examples of Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering can include the non-economic damages of an accident, such as the toll of physical pain and emotional anguish. They can also include loss of life enjoyment from being unable to take part in normal routines like work, hobbies, and daily personal tasks. Disfigurement and scarring may also qualify. While the cost of these may be harder to numerically quantify, our law firm has the experience to articulate these needs in your claim.
Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney in a Limited Tort Case?
It is highly recommended to hire a car accident lawyer in your limited tort case. Especially given how non-economic damages are only recoverable in certain situations, it’s highly valuable to have in-depth knowledge of limited tort laws. Our law firm can skillfully articulate the damage you’ve suffered and work to make a strong case that seeks full compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
If a car accident has left you injured, in debt, or struggling with frustrating lifestyle challenges, you’re not alone. Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, has been an ally to Pennsylvania personal injury victims since the 1980s.
In our 45 years of experience, we’ve become a top choice for many people throughout our great state. We’re proud to have received many positive reviews, detailing the comfort and support we’ve brought to those who called on us. We serve clients throughout areas like:
- Ambridge
- Beaver County
- Aliquippa
- Beaver Falls
- New Brighton
- Center Township
- Chippewa Township
- Monaca
- Cranberry Township
We’ve recovered millions for past clients. While no outcome is certain, and every case depends on its own evidence, our record is a testament to how hard we work and how deeply we care about those we represent.
Even if you have limited tort insurance, you might still recover damages after a car accident with our help. Contact us today; personal injury victims can enjoy free consultations, and we only get paid if we recover a settlement on your behalf.
