Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Major highways in the Pittsburgh area, like I-76, I-79 and I-376, see a great deal of commercial truck traffic, and when accidents happen involving these large vehicles, the results can be devastating. These accidents can also raise difficult legal questions that the average person will not be able to answer for themselves. If you or a family member has been hurt in such an accident, you need to consult a Pittsburgh area truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity.

Representing Truck Accident Victims in Pittsburgh, PA

The attorneys at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, have more than 45 combined years of experience representing injured clients in Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities of western Pennsylvania. We excel at resolving difficult accident cases and know how to help you overcome the challenges you are likely to face after a commercial truck accident. We can provide comprehensive support for each phase of your recovery efforts.

You have limited time to pursue compensation for your damages after a truck accident, and Pennsylvania’s car accident laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to filing an auto insurance claim. Additionally, the unique factors in play in most truck accident cases can add an extra layer of complexity to your case, so it is important to hire a truck accident lawyer right away, so they can immediately begin working on your case.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Pittsburgh

The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, there were 114,552 large trucks involved in crashes resulting in nonfatal injuries and 5,375 large trucks involved in fatal crashes throughout the United States. Most victims of truck accidents are occupants of smaller passenger vehicles, and whenever a large truck hits a smaller vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle have a very high chance of suffering catastrophic injuries.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that more than 7,300 heavy trucks were involved in crashes, and there were 147 deaths from heavy truck-related crashes throughout the state in 2024. Some truck accidents happen in the same ways that other vehicle crashes occur, but other unique risk factors can also cause serious accidents. Some of the leading causes of truck accidents in the Pittsburgh area include:

• Driver negligence, such as speeding or driving too fast for conditions, distracted driving, or moving violations like improper lane changes or failure to yield the right-of-way.
• Intoxicated driving, which is one of the most cited causes of serious accidents in Pennsylvania each year. The driver at fault for this type of accident will face criminal prosecution, along with liability for any civil damages they caused to others.
• Poor truck maintenance. Commercial trucks have large and complex engines and spend more time on the road than most other vehicles, so they have very demanding maintenance requirements. The party responsible for maintaining a truck could face liability for an accident if poor maintenance is cited as a contributing cause of the accident.
• Fatigued driving. Truck drivers face long shifts, and some, unfortunately, will push themselves too far without adequate rest. Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving, and trucking companies are required to abide by hours-of-service regulations to ensure all drivers get adequate rest between shifts.

These are just a few examples of how truck accidents might happen in Pittsburgh. Liability could fall to the truck driver or the driver of another vehicle, and it is also possible for multiple drivers to share liability for an accident. In some cases, a trucking company or other employer can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee, such as by failure to follow trucking industry regulations.

Understanding Pennsylvania’s modified No-Fault Rule for Vehicle Accidents

Pennsylvania enforces a modified no-fault system for vehicle accidents and car insurance. This can be confusing, and it is important to understand the role that insurance will play after any vehicle accident in Pittsburgh. All drivers in the state are required to have first party medical coverage  as well as liability coverage. When an accident happens, a driver files a claim with their own insurance company for medical coverage and any additional first party coverage purchased under their policy.

However, when one driver is clearly at fault for the accident, they can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier and seek compensation from their liability coverage. Adding additional confusion, under Pennsylvania law, drivers have the option of choosing between two types of coverage that will dictate their legal options when they qualify to file a claim against an at-fault driver.

The choice in this system is the driver’s choice of coverage; full-tort coverage allows them to sue for pain and suffering regardless of the severity of their injuries, while limited-tort coverage only allows them to sue for pain and suffering under specific conditions. Essentially, your ability to pursue a claim for non-economic damages is dependent upon your tort selection and the severity of your injuries.

This can get even more confusing with truck accident cases, as truck drivers and their employers usually have commercial auto insurance policies that provide greater coverage than the average individual driver’s policy. However, do not assume this means that you can fully recover your losses through a claim to a commercial insurance carrier, or that your insurance settlement will fully cover your damages.

Recovering Compensation for a Truck Accident in Pittsburgh

Navigating the insurance claim filing process after a truck accident can be challenging, but when you hire a truck accident lawyer, they can guide you through your interactions with an insurance carrier and ensure you receive a fair settlement offer. Most insurance companies will push back against claims and attempt to settle for as little as possible, but they will be more inclined to handle a claim in good faith and offer a reasonable settlement when you have legal counsel.

It’s a good idea to consult a Pittsburgh area truck accident lawyer before you attempt to negotiate a settlement with an insurance carrier. Insurance company representatives are trained to use a claimant’s own words against them whenever possible and to look for all justification they can find to deny or devalue a claim. Your attorney can be a crucial asset for ensuring that you are treated fairly by insurance companies after a truck accident in Pittsburgh.

If you qualify to file a personal injury case, it is possible to claim compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered. A successful personal injury case in Pennsylvania may yield compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of any necessary future treatments you may need if you sustained a catastrophic injury. Your Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer may help you secure compensation for medical bills through auto insurance, they can fight for maximum compensation for all immediate and future treatment costs.
• Lost wages, as well as lost future earning capacity, are awarded if you have been permanently disabled by your accident and will not be able to work again in the future. You will need an attorney’s help to accurately calculate these projected damages.
• Property damage, such as vehicle repair and replacement costs that exceed what insurance provides, as well as the value of any personal property lost in the accident.
• Pain and suffering compensation. When you qualify to claim compensation for pain and suffering, your attorney can help you determine a reasonable amount to seek from the defendant based on the overall severity of your injury and the scope of long-term or permanent harm it has caused.

If a defendant broke the law in causing your accident, you may also receive punitive damages. Ultimately, many factors can influence the final value of your case, so it’s crucial to have a skilled attorney on your side if you want to have the greatest chance of maximizing your recovery.

What to Expect From Your Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyer

Your Pittsburgh area truck accident lawyer at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, can help you understand your rights under Pennsylvania’s laws, guide you through your interactions with insurance carriers, and help you build an effective personal injury claim if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery.

The aftermath of a truck accident can be traumatic and confusing. You may have sustained life-changing injuries and face expensive medical bills, along with the inability to work. These economic losses can quickly escalate into a very difficult financial situation for you and your family, so if another party is responsible for causing your accident, it’s crucial to know what you can do to hold them accountable.

Our team will guide you through every stage of your legal proceedings, from gathering the evidence you need to prove fault to helping you uncover the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim. We’ll help you navigate difficult insurance claims and fight for maximum compensation for you.

You have limited time to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer. We look forward to helping you recover.