PA Legislature Finally Poised to Update ‘That Seventies Law’

Rachel Olszewski

We wrote in February about “That Seventies Law,” our nickname for the portion of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Code that sets the mandatory minimum limits for motor vehicle insurance liability coverage. Since 1974, those limits have been stuck at their original levels of $15,000 for bodily injury for one person, $30,000 for two or more persons, and $5,000 for property loss. As we explained, those limits are woefully inadequate for the world of 2015. Thankfully, reforms were in the works, and we are pleased to report some important progress on this front. Bill SB 928 was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate on June 30. The bill amends the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law to increase the minimums to $25,000 for bodily injury for one person, $50,000 for two or more persons in an accident, and $15,000 for property loss. In our opinion, the new proposed minimums are still too low to compensate many of the motorists who are seriously injured on the state’s roads — and too low to shield drivers with minimum coverage from financial ruin if they are held liable for an accident that results in serious injuries or property damage. That said, it’s a start. After 41 years of inaction, we are happy to see at least an attempt at reform. We call upon the state House of Representatives to pass the measure as quickly as possible so that Gov. Tom Wolf can sign it into law. Only then will Pennsylvania motorists receive the additional protection they so desperately need. In the meantime, the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyers of Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. stand ready to assist seriously injured car or truck accident victims and their families. Call us at 877.353.0529 to find out how we can help.