Erie Car Accident Lawyer

In Pennsylvania, Full Tort coverage allows you to seek compensation for all damages, including pain and suffering, regardless of the injury's severity. Limited Tort is cheaper but restricts your right to sue for non-economic damages unless your injury meets the "serious injury" threshold or a specific legal exception applies.

A serious injury is defined by Pennsylvania statute as a personal injury resulting in death, permanent and serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of a body function. If you have Limited Tort, Attorney Hunter must prove your injury meets this high bar to recover compensation for your physical pain and emotional distress.

Yes. Even if you have Limited Tort, you may be granted "Full Tort" rights if the at-fault driver was driving a vehicle registered in another state, was convicted of DUI, or intended to injure themselves or others. You also maintain full rights if you were a passenger in a commercial vehicle (like a bus or taxi) or on a motorcycle.

UM/UIM coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or whose policy limits are too low to cover your medical bills and lost wages. In Erie, where many drivers carry only the state minimum $15,000/$30,000 policy, UM/UIM is often the only way to ensure your long-term care is fully funded.

Stacking allows you to combine the UM/UIM coverage limits from multiple vehicles on your policy. For example, if you have two cars with $50,000 in coverage each, stacking provides a total of $100,000 in protection. While 2025/2026 legislative shifts have impacted new policies, existing "stacked" policies remain a vital asset in catastrophic injury cases.

Truck accidents involve federal FMCSA regulations, such as "Hours of Service" limits to prevent driver fatigue. Liability may also extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, or maintenance contractors. Attorney David L. Hunter utilizes the "Black Box" (ECM) data to prove violations that are not present in standard car crash cases.

First, ensure safety and call 911 so the Erie Police or PA State Police can file a report. Take photos of the vehicle positions, license plates, and road conditions. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster until you speak with an attorney, as these statements are often used to assign comparative fault to you later.