According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the rates of car accidents in the Keystone State dropped to the lowest level in 2019 since record-keeping began in 1928 with just 1059 fatalities. However, this encouraging trend did not last, as fatalities increased to 1129 in 2020 and again to 1230 in 2021.
The risk of getting involved in a road accident is always there regardless of whether or not you adhere to traffic rules. All it takes is a drunk, distracted, or inexperienced driver for an accident to occur. No matter the cause, after the incident, speaking to personal injury attorney Rich Godshall of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers is a smart move.
This is the fundamental reason most states, including Pennsylvania, require drivers to carry some level of car insurance. Today's blog will explain Pennsylvania's car insurance requirements and help you understand your options.
Understanding Car Accident Insurance in Pennsylvania
If a tree falls on your car, someone T-bones you in the intersection, or a hit-and-run driver knocks you off the highway, car accident insurance is there to provide much-needed financial coverage. This coverage pays for the repairs to your car and damaged property and even covers medical treatment for the injuries you sustain. Essentially, car accident insurance is vital for anyone who is out on the road frequently. It’s a safeguard for a day that should hopefully never come.
At the same time, it provides liability coverage when you cause an accident that injures others and causes property loss. With that in mind, Pennsylvania drivers must carry some types of coverage, each with their limits set by the state. They are listed below:
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability coverage protects you from financial loss when you cause an accident that injures someone else. It helps pay for their medical expenses and lost wages. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry $15,000 in liability insurance per person and $30,000 in liability insurance per accident.
Property Damage Liability
This type of insurance coverage pays for the damages you cause to another person's property. Pennsylvania drivers must carry $5,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident. When choosing insurance, be sure to keep this factor in mind.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Pennsylvania motorists must also carry a minimum of $5,000 in personal injury protection coverage to pay for the medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
What Insurance Options Do You Have?
If you are shopping for motor vehicle insurance in the Keystone State, you have two broad categories to opt for:
Limited tort is the cheaper option. It offers lower premiums but limits your ability to sue for damages related to pain and suffering unless you meet a specific threshold of severe injuries.
Full Tort: Unlike limited tort coverage, this insurance option offers higher premiums but provides unrestricted rights to sue for pain and suffering.
You may choose whichever option depending on your needs and financial ability.
Insurance Best Practices in Pennsylvania
We advise drivers to purchase enough liability insurance to cover the assets they could lose in a car accident lawsuit.
Depending on your financial abilities and needs, you can also purchase additional coverages to offer comprehensive protection in case of an accident. They include collision insurance and insurance/underinsured motorist coverage.
Conclusion
We hope our blog has helped you understand the types of car accident insurance coverage drivers in Pennsylvania must carry. We advise purchasing coverages higher than the state minimums for comprehensive coverage in case you are sued for causing a car accident. The laws in Pennsylvania can be complex for a layman to grasp. That’s why having great legal representation by your side can make all the difference in winning a case. Pennsylvania laws make it so that the victimized party is compensated for their losses in the event of a car accident.
