1. Berger & Green, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury litigation with concentration in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, slip and fall injuries, workers’ compensation claims, and medical malpractice.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, Uber and rideshare accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian knockdowns, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in state and federal courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.
Background: Berger & Green has served personal injury clients throughout Pennsylvania for more than 40 years. Founding partner Laurence B. Green received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1971. He is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania state and federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney Green is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having obtained settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more for clients. He has been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer and recognized among the top 100 trial lawyers in Pennsylvania by The National Trial Lawyers Association. Additional attorneys Mark E. Milsop and C. William Kenny are also members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Location: 800 Waterfront Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Contact: (412) 661-1400 | https://www.bergerandgreen.com
Consultation: Free case evaluations offered. Home and hospital visits available. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless the firm wins the case.
2. Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, car accident litigation, truck accident claims, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, and FELA claims for railroad workers.
Case Types Handled: Automobile collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian injuries, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injury claims including paralysis, loss of limbs, and brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, demand letter preparation, discovery and deposition coordination, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost income claims, pain and suffering damages, and punitive damage claims in appropriate cases.
Background: Robert N. Peirce, Jr. (PA Bar #909, admitted October 7, 1963) founded the firm in 1980 after serving as Allegheny County Commissioner and Clerk of Courts. He received his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in 1962 and his B.S.B.A. from Geneva College. Attorney Peirce is licensed in Pennsylvania state and federal courts and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, American Association for Justice, Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys, and Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. He was selected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on the Elder Law Task Force Committee. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia over 40+ years. Multiple firm attorneys have been recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.
Location: 437 Grant Street, Frick Building, Suite 1100, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact: (412) 281-7229 | https://www.peircelaw.com
Consultation: Free initial case evaluations. Contingency fee basis with no payment until recovery.
3. Flaherty Fardo Rogel & Amick, LLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and product liability claims throughout Pennsylvania.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, surgical errors, emergency room mistakes, failure to diagnose cases, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, trial representation in state and federal courts (Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania), settlement negotiations, medical expert coordination, pain and suffering claims, lost wage recovery, and punitive damage claims.
Background: Founded in 1997 by Shawn T. Flaherty and Dwayne D. Woodruff (former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champion, now Judge in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas). Attorney Shawn Flaherty graduated from Duquesne School of Law in 1985 and brings 40 years of civil litigation experience. He is a former Pennsylvania State Representative (30th Congressional District). Managing Partner Noah Paul Fardo has over 25 years with the firm focusing on medical malpractice, wrongful death, and serious personal injury claims. The firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients and secured multiple seven-figure settlements and verdicts. Attorneys have been recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Location: 434 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA 15143 (Also: 812 Ivy St., Pittsburgh, PA 15232)
Contact: (412) 802-6666 | [email protected] | https://www.pghfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Text consultations at (412) 855-5511. Contingency fee arrangement.
4. Romanow Law Group
Practice Focus: Personal injury law with concentration in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, reckless driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian knockdowns, premises liability, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and loss of limb cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, demand letter preparation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Attorney David M. Romanow is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar (since 2012) and Nevada State Bar (#10431, since 2007). He received his Juris Doctor in 2006 and previously worked as trial counsel for the catastrophic injury practice group at a large multi-city law firm, where he was involved in cases resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements. He was recognized as Litigator of the Year (2020) by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. Attorney Ismail N. Yousef holds a doctorate of pharmacy degree and has been recognized by Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2019-2021). The firm provides free shuttle service for clients to attend appointments.
Location: 4930 McKnight Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (Also: 525 William Penn Place, 28th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
Contact: (412) 642-9100 | 1-844-GET-MORE | https://www.romanowlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultations available 24/7. Contingency fee basis with no fee unless the firm wins.
5. Pittsburgh Injury Lawyers, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law focusing on motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle collisions, premises liability, public transit accidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, and birth injuries.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, bus and light rail accidents (PRT claims), slip and fall injuries, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death cases, and catastrophic injury claims.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in Pennsylvania courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill documentation, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage recovery, and claims against government entities.
Background: The firm focuses on representing injury victims throughout Western Pennsylvania including Allegheny County, Lawrence County, and Washington County. The attorneys understand Pennsylvania’s choice no-fault system and modified comparative negligence rules. The firm handles claims against the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) for injuries on buses, trolleys, and the T light rail system, navigating the specialized government liability procedures these cases require.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: (412) 301-3497 | https://www.pittsburgh-injury-lawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultations offered. Contingency fee basis with no fee unless there is a recovery.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania operates under a choice no-fault insurance system, which is unique among states. When purchasing auto insurance, Pennsylvania drivers must select between limited tort (no-fault) coverage or full tort coverage. This selection significantly impacts the driver’s right to pursue compensation after an accident.
Under limited tort coverage, an injured party can recover medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs through their own insurance policy but generally cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering unless the injury qualifies as a “serious injury.” Serious injuries under Pennsylvania law include permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, or injuries that meet other statutory thresholds. Full tort coverage preserves the right to pursue all damages, including pain and suffering, against an at-fault driver regardless of injury severity.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Property damage claims also carry a two-year limitation period. Claims against government entities require special notice procedures and must be filed within six months.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar rule). Under this system, an injured party can recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. If the injured party is found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any compensation. When the injured party’s fault is 50% or less, their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum auto insurance requirements in Pennsylvania include bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage of $5,000 per accident, and $5,000 of First Party Medical Benefits per person. All drivers must also carry either limited tort or full tort coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available but not mandatory.
Pennsylvania does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. However, punitive damages are limited to twice the amount of actual damages awarded. Medical malpractice cases may have additional limitations.
Pennsylvania has dram shop liability laws allowing injured parties to pursue claims against establishments that served alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause car accidents. Social host liability also exists under certain circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between limited tort and full tort coverage in Pennsylvania, and how does it affect my car accident claim?
Limited tort coverage restricts your ability to recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering) to situations where you have sustained a “serious injury” as defined by Pennsylvania law, which includes permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, or death. Full tort coverage preserves your complete right to pursue all damages against an at-fault driver, including pain and suffering, regardless of how severe your injuries are. The choice you made when purchasing your policy significantly impacts what compensation you can seek after an accident. Full tort policies cost more but provide broader protection.
How does Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my recovery if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102), you can recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault for the accident, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 30% at fault, you would recover $70,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other parties.
What are the filing deadlines and procedures for bringing a car accident claim in Allegheny County courts?
Personal injury claims from car accidents must be filed within two years of the accident date under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524. Lawsuits are typically filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Civil Division, located in the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. The filing fee varies based on the amount of damages sought. After filing, the defendant must be served with the complaint within 30 days, and they have 20 days to respond. Discovery then proceeds, which may include interrogatories, depositions, requests for production of documents, and independent medical examinations.
Can I pursue a claim against a drunk driver who caused my accident, and are there any additional damages available?
Yes, you can pursue a civil claim against a drunk driver for your injuries and damages. Pennsylvania courts may award punitive damages in cases involving drunk driving if the conduct was outrageous or showed reckless indifference to the safety of others. Punitive damages in Pennsylvania are capped at twice the amount of actual damages. Additionally, under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law (47 P.S. § 4-497), you may also have a claim against a bar, restaurant, or social host that served alcohol to the visibly intoxicated driver or to a minor before the accident.
What steps should I take immediately after a car accident in Pittsburgh to protect my legal rights?
First, report the accident to the police if it involves injury, death, or significant property damage, as Pennsylvania law requires reporting under such circumstances. Obtain a copy of the police report from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police or the Pennsylvania State Police. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions manifest later. Document the scene with photographs if possible. Exchange insurance information with other drivers and collect contact information from witnesses. Notify your own insurance company about the accident within the timeframe specified in your policy. Avoid giving recorded statements to other parties’ insurance companies before consulting an attorney. Keep all receipts for medical treatment, prescriptions, and other accident-related expenses.