In Pennsylvania, if you have full tort option, and you are involved in an auto accident and you are not at fault, you can sue the negligent person to collect your economic damages, such as medical expenses or lost income which may exceed the coverage you have on your own policy. You may also sue the other person to collect non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
If you have limited tort option, you give up your right to sue the negligent party for your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, unless you suffer a serious injury or fall within one of the exceptions listed below. Serious injury has been defined as death, serious impairment of a body function or a serious permanent disfigurement.