What’s the Difference Between Zero and Verbal Threshold?

If you live in New Jersey, you are required to have no-fault auto insurance. What this means is if you get into an auto accident and are injured, your insurance company is responsible for paying your medical expenses along with any other damages involved in the accident. However, when you purchased your insurance, you probably had a choice between zero threshold and verbal threshold. What do these options mean and does it matter which one you choose?

Whichever threshold option you choose determines your ability to sue someone after an accident. For instance, let’s say you got into a car accident while on the way home tonight and you now suffer from whiplash. Since you opted for the verbal threshold option (also called limitation on lawsuit threshold), you are unable to sue the other party for your injuries. The only time you can file a claim is if your accident resulted in one of the following injuries:

• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement
• Significant scarring
• Displaced fractures
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent injury such as paralysis

However, if you did opt for zero threshold option, you can sue the other driver who is responsible for your whiplash. As opposed to the verbal threshold, zero threshold allows you to sue the responsible party for not only your injuries, but also any damages that were caused by the crash.

If you get into an auto accident that was not your fault and you need help recovering damages, don’t delay. Contact our personal injury lawyer Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.