State Decisions to Limit Tort Liability: An Empirical Analysis
of No-Fault Automobile Insurance Laws  Article excerpt   Sixteen
states enacted auto insurance no-fault laws from 1971 through
1976 that generally contained two key features: (1) the purchase
of first-party coverage for medical expenses and loss of income
for drivers and passengers, known as personal injury protection
(PIP), was made compulsory; and (2) tort liability of negligent
drivers was limited.(1) The purchase of liability insurance for
actions not affected by tort limitations also was made
compulsory. Three other states enacted laws during this period
that made PIP and liability coverage compulsory without limiting
tort liability.(2) No state has adopted no-fault since 1976. The
District of Columbia adopted a no-fault law in 1983, but it was
repealed in 1986. Nevada repealed its no-fault law in 1979.
Pennsylvania repealed its limitation on tort liability in 1984
but maintained compulsory PIP coverage. A subsequent change in
Pennsylvania la