Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer

Trusted Car Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Driving in the Pittsburgh area can be challenging, from traffic congestion on I-76, I-79 or I-376 to busy downtown intersections. Accidents happen every day and are a leading cause of injuries and deaths in Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities of Pennsylvania. If you or a family member has been injured in a crash, it is vital to speak with a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer as quickly as you can to discuss your legal options.

Representing Car Accident Victims in Pittsburgh, PA

The team at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, has more than 45 combined years of experience representing accident victims injured in Pittsburgh and throughout western Pennsylvania. If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver, it is vital to understand how Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements and accident laws apply to your case. You need to hire a car accident lawyer right away to help you navigate the aftermath of your accident.

When you hire our team to represent you, we can immediately begin gathering the evidence you will need to establish fault for your accident. While Pennsylvania is considered a modified no-fault state for vehicle accidents, this law operates differently than in most other no-fault states, and it is vital to understand the role liability will play in your recovery efforts. We can help you make sense of your recovery options and will pursue maximum compensation for your damages.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pittsburgh

The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, nearly 45,000 people died and more than five million people were injured in vehicle crashes throughout the United States. Each year, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accidental injury and death in the United States, and each state enforces different rules for resolving vehicle accident cases involving multiple drivers.

In 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recorded 110,765 reportable vehicle accidents throughout the state. These accidents resulted in 1,127 deaths and 66,931 total injuries, and more than 4,700 of these injuries were classified as severe. Some of the leading causes of car accidents throughout Pennsylvania each year include:

• Speeding. Exceeding posted speed limits and driving too fast for conditions are leading causes of vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania each year. Speeding will not only increase the risk of an accident happening but also the severity of resulting damages. Accidents that happen at higher speeds are more likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, driving under the influence (DUI) consistently ranks as a leading cause of accidents in Pennsylvania each year. A driver who causes an accident this way not only faces civil liability for the damages they caused, but also criminal prosecution for breaking Pennsylvania’s DUI laws.
• Distracted driving. Every driver has a duty of care to always operate their vehicle attentively. Texting while driving and other distractions can significantly increase the risk of an accident. Your Pittsburgh car accident lawyer may be able to obtain another driver’s cell phone records to help you prove that they were distracted behind the wheel and caused your recent accident.
• Poor vehicle maintenance. Drivers in Pennsylvania are required to keep their vehicles in good working condition. If a driver notices an issue with their vehicle but fails to address it in time, they could face liability for an accident if a mechanical issue causes a collision.
• Moving violations. Failure to stop for red lights or stop signs, performing illegal turns, and failure to yield the right-of-way are just a few examples of moving violations that can potentially cause serious accidents. All drivers are required to abide by posted traffic signs and signals to maintain a safe flow of traffic.
• Aggressive driving, commonly called road rage. Unfortunately, some drivers intentionally engage in risky maneuvers on the road, and some even directly antagonize others. Aggressive driving is extremely dangerous, and if a driver causes an accident this way, they could face liability for resulting damages as well as criminal prosecution for reckless driving.

These are just a few possible ways for accidents to happen in the Pittsburgh area. When you are involved in an accident with another driver, it is important to understand how Pennsylvania’s modified no-fault system for car accidents works and how it applies to your case. Proving liability will likely be an essential first step for your recovery process.

Understanding Pennsylvania’s modified No-Fault Car Accident Law

Pennsylvania is a modified no-fault state, meaning drivers are required to purchase auto insurance that will cover their own medical costs  in an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. This is called first party medical coverage. Drivers can choose to purchase additional first party coverage to include income loss, accidental death benefits and funeral benefits. Drivers are required to utilize their own first party coverage before looking to the at fault party to recover those items of damage. Drivers in Pennsylvania also have a choice between limited-tort and full-tort auto insurance coverage, and the choice they make dictates the extent of their legal options when another driver has injured them in an accident.

Under a limited-tort policy, the covered driver retains the ability to claim compensation for their economic damages  (medical expenses, lost wages, etc.) from the at-fault driver (after exhausting first party coverage), but they would only be able to sue an at-fault driver for pain and suffering compensation if they had suffered a “severe injury”, although there are limited exceptions that a lawyer can explore Full-tort coverage allows a driver to sue for pain and suffering compensation regardless of the severity of their injury.

Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements also compel drivers to have liability coverage of at least $15,000 for injury or death of a single person in an accident, at least $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident, and at least $5,000 to cover another driver’s property damage.

The Pennsylvania modified no-fault rule essentially requires that you file a claim with your own insurance policy to seek compensation for your medical damages after an accident,, you can then file a claim with the at-fault driver’s policy and seek compensation from their liability coverage.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim After a Car Accident

Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be challenging. Most insurance companies will attempt to settle injury claims for as little as possible. You should expect an insurance carrier to look for ways to justify a lowball settlement offer or claim denial. They will attempt to use your own words against you in their claim adjustment, so it’s crucial to hire a car accident lawyer before attempting to negotiate a settlement with an insurance carrier.

Your Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can gather all the documentation you will need to submit to the insurance carrier and help you file your claim, ensuring all required forms are complete and accurate. If the insurance carrier raises any disputes against your claim, your attorney can be ready to address these issues for you. When an insurance company sees that a claimant has legal counsel, they are more likely to offer a reasonable settlement.

Building a Personal Injury Case for a Car Accident in Pittsburgh

If you are eligible to file a personal injury case for your car accident in Pittsburgh, success with your case requires firmly establishing fault for the accident. An experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can gather essential evidence for you, which could include vehicle computer data, cell phone records, eyewitness statements, police reports, and traffic camera footage, if available.

Once you have firmly established fault for your accident and recovered as much as possible through auto insurance, it is possible to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages in your personal injury claim. In many personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, plaintiffs can seek compensation for:

• Any property damages that the defendant caused. For example, insurance may cover some but not all vehicle repair or replacement costs, and it is also possible for other personal property to have been damaged or destroyed in the accident.
• Medical expenses that exceed what your insurance covers. Some car accidents cause catastrophic injuries, including internal organ damage, severely broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Your Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can potentially help you recover compensation for all immediate and future medical expenses resulting from your accident.
• Lost wages. If you suffer lost income and lost earning power, your attorney can accurately calculate these losses and pursue compensation with your personal injury claim.
• Pain and suffering. If you are eligible to claim pain and suffering compensation, Pennsylvania law does not cap or limit the amount you are able to seek from the defendant. If you suffered a life-changing injury that has caused permanent damage, the pain and suffering compensation you receive could form the bulk of your total case award.

If the other driver caused your accident by breaking the law, such as by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion. If any such variables are present in your case, your Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can explain their potential effects on your recovery and how they may affect the total compensation you secure.

It is important to remember that any shared fault on your part could not only complicate your auto insurance claim filing process but also diminish a personal injury case award under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative fault rule. Ultimately, many factors can influence the total value of your personal injury case, and you need to hire a car accident lawyer to have a better chance of maximizing your recovery.

FAQs

Does Pennsylvania’s No-fault Law Mean I Can’t Sue the At-fault Driver After a Car Accident?

Not necessarily. Pennsylvania is a modified no-fault state, which means drivers must first use their own insurance (first-party coverage) for medical costs before seeking compensation from the at-fault party. However, your ability to sue for pain and suffering depends on the type of coverage you carry. Under a limited-tort policy, you can only sue for pain and suffering if you suffered a “severe injury,” though exceptions exist. Full-tort coverage allows you to sue for pain and suffering regardless of the severity of your injury.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Pittsburgh Car Accident Case?

In a personal injury claim, you may be able to seek compensation for property damages, medical expenses that exceed your insurance coverage, lost wages and lost earning power, and pain and suffering. In some cases, additional damages may be available. If the other driver caused your accident by breaking the law — such as driving under the influence — you could also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion.

Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Before Dealing With the Insurance Company?

Most insurance companies will attempt to settle injury claims for as little as possible, looking for ways to justify a lowball settlement offer or claim denial, and may attempt to use your own words against you during the claims process. Having legal representation levels the playing field — when an insurance company sees that a claimant has legal counsel, they are more likely to offer a reasonable settlement.

How Soon Should I Contact a Pittsburgh Car Accident Attorney After a Crash?

As soon as possible. Some of the evidence needed to prove fault — such as vehicle computer data, cell phone records, eyewitness statements, police reports, and traffic camera footage — may not be available for very long. Additionally, there are filing deadlines for both auto insurance claims and personal injury cases, making it critical to act quickly to protect your right to compensation.

What to Expect From Your Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer

Resolving a serious accident can be extremely difficult without an attorney’s help. When you hire Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, to represent you in a car accident case, you can expect comprehensive support for every stage of your legal proceedings.

We know how to gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish fault for your accident. Some of this evidence may not be available for very long, and you may not know how to acquire it on your own. Additionally, if you are struggling with painful injuries, you will need an attorney to handle your legal affairs for you so you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind.

Once we have established fault for your accident, we can then help you approach the complex insurance claim filing process with confidence. We know the various complications you might encounter when dealing with insurance companies, and we know the tactics that insurance companies often use against injured claimants. We have helped many clients resolve difficult auto insurance claims and will put this experience to work for you.

If you must file a personal injury case to recover maximum compensation for your damages, trust our team to help you build and file your case on time. We prepare all cases for trial, and while most personal injury cases filed in Pennsylvania are resolved through pretrial settlement, we believe this approach not only ensures the strongest possible negotiating position during settlement but also ensures the plaintiff is fully prepared to enter litigation if necessary.

We are confident that we possess the skills and experience necessary to guide you to a positive conclusion of your car accident case in Pittsburgh. We have successfully resolved many injury claims on behalf of clients in the Pittsburgh area and in the surrounding communities of western Pennsylvania. During your initial consultation with our team, we can review the details of your accident and explain the legal services we provide that can help with your recovery.

Time is a crucial concern after any car accident in Pittsburgh. Some of the evidence you need to prove fault may not be available for very long, and there are filing deadlines for auto insurance claims and personal injury cases. Our team is ready to assist you with every stage of your case, and we look forward to helping you recover. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh area car accident lawyer to learn how we can assist with your case.