Pennsylvania Car Accident Glossary of Terms

Fact question

Issues in a trial or hearing concerning facts and how they occurred, as opposed to questions of law. Fact questions are for the jury to decide, unless the issues are presented in a non-jury or bench trial, in which case the judge would decide fact questions. Questions of law are decided by a judge. Findings of fact are generally non-appealable, while rulings on questions of law are subject to appeal.

Fascia

A sheet of fibrous tissue beneath the skin's surface that envelopes the body and encloses muscles or muscular groups and separates muscular layers.

First party insurance

or first party benefits. Insurance that applies to the insured's own property or person. In automobile insurance law, first party benefits include medical benefits, income loss benefits, accidental death benefit, funeral benefit, and extraordinary medical benefits. In Pennsylvania, the only required coverage is $5,000 in medical benefits.

Fraud

False and deceptive statement of fact intended to induce another person to rely upon and, in reliance thereof, give up a valuable thing he or she owns or a legal right he or she is entitled to.

Full tort or full tort option

In Pennsylvania, purchasers of motor vehicle insurance can choose "full tort," which gives the insured the unrestricted right to seek money damages for all injuries sustained in an accident caused by another driver, including economic loss, pain and suffering, and other non-monetary damages. Compare with limited tort option.

Funeral benefit

In automobile insurance law, those expenses paid by the insurance company that are directly related to the funeral, burial, cremation, or other form of disposition of the remains of a deceased person if the injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident caused the death of the insured within 24 months from the date of the accident. The funeral benefit is optional coverage. In Pennsylvania, the only required coverage is $5,000 in medical benefits.

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