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HAVE YOU BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED?

IMPORTANT LAW TIP FROM ATTORNEY ART BRAITMAN:

LAW TIP: You are strongly urged to purchase "full tort" motor vehicle insurance (not limited tort)! If you have purchased "full tort" coverage, you have wisely retained the legal right to pursue a claim for money damages for your pain and suffering if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, believe that the other driver is at fault or primarily at fault and you have been injured as a result of the accident.

However, if you have "Limited Tort" coverage, you have sold off your right to receive monetary damages for your pain and suffering from your injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident even though the other driver was either completely or mainly at fault. UNLESS the injury you suffered qualifies as a "serious injury". the definition of which is contained in the statute the lawmakers in Harrisburg enacted in 1990.

That law defines "serious injury" as follows: (1) death (now that's a serious injury!), (2) a serious impairment of body function, or (3) permanent, serious disfigurement. MAKE NO MISTAKE, this is a rather strong or narrow definition of "serious injury." If you believe that your injury' is serious, even though this is a reasonable opinion, your injury still might not be severe enough to qualify under the high threshold of aforementioned definition. If you had purchased "full tort" you would not have this potential problem. IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH IT TO BUY "FULL TORT"!

If you are not certain whether you have full or limited tort coverage, telephone your insurer or broker immediately. If you have "limited tort:" you should exercise your right and request that they switch you to "full tort' immediately.

Please note that there are important exceptions to the "limited tort" law. Therefore. if you have been in ai a motor vehicle accident, you should definitely contact your attorney as soon as is practical, Whether or not your injuries are serious or less than serious or whether you have "full" or "limited tort" coverage. Your injuries may be more serious than you realize. There are occasions when an injury that appears relatively minor at first reveals itself at a later date to be a serious injury. Sometimes it is fairly debatable as to whether an injury qualifies as a serious one. It is not your job, but that of your attorney to determine if you have a good or viable case, based on his or her knowledge and experience.

Do not wait until after the statute of limitations runs out or is about to run out. The sooner you call your attorney, the better, so proper action can be taken.

Please feel free to contact Attorney Art Braitman (610) 278-6100, should you have any questions.