Auto Insurance

Full Tort vs. Limited Tort: What’s Best for Your Needs?

In Pennsylvania, drivers must choose automobile coverage that is either “full tort” or “limited tort.” By selecting “full tort,” you and the other members of your household have full legal rights to make claims for compensation after being involved in a vehicle accident from which an injury results. These households can seek out compensation to cover things like lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, loss of enjoyment, scarring, permanent injuries, and spousal support.

If, however, you decide to pursue a “limited tort,” you give up some rights for your family to seek a recovery, even if the other vehicle was completely responsible for causing the collision. Under “limited tort options,” those covered under your policy may seek compensation to cover out-of-pocket and medical expenses, but you will not be able to seek out recovery for non-monetary damages like pain and suffering.

There are exceptions to this, however, and those covered under a limited tort option may seek further recovery under the following circumstances:

• Serious injury: injury that results in serious impairment of function, permanent disfigurement, or death
• The driver was convicted for DUI with drugs or alcohol and has accepted an ARD program.
• An intentional act was the cause of your injuries.
• The vehicle was registered in a different state.
• The other driver didn’t have insurance.

A "limited tort" may mean a cheaper insurance premium, but this difference in cost should be looked at against the loss of your rights.

For full and complete coverage, the "full tort option" is the best choice for your family.

Auto Accidents

The Federal Highway Administration estimates that there were roughly 6.3 million crashes reported by police in 1999. Approximately 3.2 million people were injured during this time, and over 41,000 were killed. Of those fatalities, over a third involved a driver under the influence of alcohol. Nearly 4,700 pedestrians were fatally injured by vehicles that same year. These automobile crashes account for over a third of all deaths involving young people between the ages of 15 and 19. Well over 2000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in the same year.

Bus Accidents

Pennsylvania accident statistics for trucks and buses in 2006:

• There were over 20 buses and nearly 190 large trucks involved in fatal vehicle crashes
• Non-fatal crashes came in at just over 5700 for large trucks and nearly 990 for buses
• 2930 Large truck accidents resulted in injuries, while 691 bus accidents did

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that impairs control of movement. Cerebral Palsy affects a person's motor skills hampering them from writing, maintaining balance or completing tasks that requires fine-motor skills. More than 500,000 people living in the United States suffer from a form of this incurable disorder. Cerebral Palsy can be caused by many different factors. Over 20 percent of cerebral palsy victims have had it since birth.
Many of these cases may have been due to medical malpractice. If you or someone you care about has Cerebral Palsy due to medical negligence contact a personal injury lawyer.

Death Claims

Wrongful death claims come about as a result of a person or company causing a fatal accident due to their negligence. U.S. law allows surviving family members to collect compensation, which may come in the form of earnings the victim may have contributed to the family, expenses incurred because of their death, loss of companionship, or even pain and suffering.

Dog Bites

For dog owners in many states, liability for dog bites fall squarely on them. These rules hold the owner responsible for damage caused by the dog whether they were directly at fault or not. The injured party may find that they are unable to collect compensation if there is proof that the injured person was provoking the dog or trespassing on private property. If you were bitten by a dog or other kind of animal, contact us today.

Drunk Driver

There were over 1500 fatal traffic accidents in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2001, and 45% of these have been connected to alcohol. It would take a 175lb man drinking four drinks in under an hour to exceed the current legal limit in the state of Pennsylvania, a blood alcohol content of .08.

A Pennsylvania driver is considered legally drunk under the following circumstances:

• Drivers of non-commercial vehicles over the legal drinking age of 21 are considered legally drunk at a BAC of 0.08 or higher.
• Those under the legal drinking age are legally drunk with a BAC at or above 0.02.
• Commercial drivers are considered legally drunk with a BAC at or above 0.04.
• Those driving school buses are legally drunk with a BAC of 0.02 or more.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is defined as the improper or negligent treatment of a patient resulting in injury and damages. This can range anywhere from a misdiagnosis to an incorrect surgery. Every year medical errors kill between 50,000 and 100,000 people. These errors are often the result of under trained, incompetent, or negligent doctors.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by an incompetent or negligent doctor, exercise your rights and contact a Easton PA Medical Malpractice lawyer.

Pedestrian Accidents

Every year 5,000 pedestrians are killed by motor vehicles and another 75,000 are injured. 80% of all pedestrians that were struck were injured while crossing at a non-intersection. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pedestrians have the right-of-way over motorists in a crosswalk area. If you have been injured due to a driver's negligence contact an Easton PA personal injury lawyer.

Product Liability

When a manufacturer makes a product, they are guaranteeing their customers that the product is safe to use. It needs to be provided with every necessary element to ensure its safe use, and address any condition that could potentially be hazardous. If you find that a product was unsafe for use due to retailer or manufacturer neglect or recklessness, the product should be considered defective and the responsible party should be held responsible for the harm caused because of the defect.

Slip & Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of accidental deaths in America. Property managers and owners have a responsibility to their patrons and tenants to keep the property safe and hazard-free for their use. Should they fail in this duty and the property is not maintained as it would be by a reasonable person, the responsible owner may be held responsible for injuries incurred as a result. Incidents that occur inside can result from a number of things, such as poorly lit stairwells, uneven floors or carpets, wet floors, etc. The outdoors has even more potential hazards, with uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks, icy conditions, and more.

Social Security

A person is considered disabled for Social Security purposes if he/she is incapable of performing substantial gainful employment of a light or sedentary nature for a period of at least one (1) year. To file for Social Security, one needs to go to one's local Social Security office to determine if they have sufficient credits to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You should have legal representation at any hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If you are disabled and unable to perform gainful employment, call an Easton PA Social Security lawyer.

Truck Accidents

Every year 500,000 large trucks are involved in accidents. Because of these accidents, 5,000 people are killed and 150,000 people are injured every year.
Almost 80% of all accidents involving a large truck result in injury to the other driver. Because tractor trailers can weigh in excess of 9,000 pounds many of these injuries can be very serious.

Workmen’s Compensation

According to the Pennsylvania Code, under section 301 (a) employers are held responsible for any accidents or fatalities that happen to employees in the course of their duties. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, employers are required to provide their employees with workers’ compensation coverage. The type of benefits available to injured workers are determined by whether they are on Total Disability or Partial Disability Status. Total disability refers to those who are now unable to work at all and are completely disabled, whereas partial disability refers to workers who can no longer work in their previous position but are able to continue working in some capacity.

Ready to get started on your case? Contact our firm today by calling our office at (610) 756-1098 or filling out our online form.