1. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck accidents, cargo truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, dump truck accidents, garbage truck accidents, blind spot truck accidents, overloaded truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Truck driver error accidents, truck driver fatigue accidents, truck driver substance abuse accidents, equipment failure accidents, improper cargo weight distribution accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm achieved the largest verdict in a motor vehicle-related death case in the history of Washington County. Partners include Craig L. Fishman, Edward A. Shenderovich, and O. Alex Shenderovich. The firm has secured a $1.3 million settlement for the estate of a woman killed in a tractor trailer accident and a $1.3 million settlement for a man who was run over by a dump truck on a construction site. The firm reports a 99.7% success rate in personal injury cases.
Location: 500 Grant Street, Suite 800, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact: (412) 391-7610 | https://www.ssf-lawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7 including nights and weekends. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
2. Goodrich & Geist, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, construction truck accidents, dump truck accidents, DUI truck accidents, fatigued driving truck accidents, improper truck maintenance accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Truck accidents due to company negligence, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, equipment failure accidents, driver error accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, driver log analysis, load manifest review, truck electronic data recorder analysis, truck inspection and maintenance records review, dispatch records investigation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Joshua P. Geist, Esq. and William F. Goodrich, Esq. are the firm’s principal attorneys. The firm has extensive experience in trucking litigation and works with accident reconstruction and trucking industry experts. Bianca M. DiNardo, Esq. is also an attorney with the firm.
Location: 3213 W Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Contact: (412) 766-1455 | https://goodrichandgeist.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee arrangement available.
3. Berger and Green
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims, limited tort exception analysis
Background: The firm has over 40 years of experience serving injured clients in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. The firm has secured millions of dollars for commercial vehicle accident victims. The firm is prepared to take cases to trial when insurers refuse fair settlements.
Location: 436 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2001, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact: (412) 661-1400 | https://www.bergerandgreen.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Home and hospital visits available. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
4. Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, speed-related accidents, driver fatigue accidents, improperly loaded cargo accidents, equipment failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, maintenance records investigation, defective part investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has over 60 years of combined legal experience among its attorneys. The firm serves Western Pennsylvanians injured in collisions with trucks and other commercial vehicles. The firm examines physical evidence and maintenance records to identify all liable parties, including fleet owners and manufacturers.
Location: 310 Grant Street, Suite 1801, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact: 1-800-GET-PHIL | https://www.getphil.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm represents clients throughout Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania.
5. Rosen & Perry
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Highway truck accidents, Pennsylvania Turnpike collisions, city street truck accidents, parking lot truck accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, driver log preservation, black box recorder data preservation, maintenance records investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm has obtained many of the highest verdicts and settlements in Pennsylvania and nationally in truck accident cases. Rosen & Perry was recognized as having the 58th largest verdict in the entire United States. The firm specializes in cases with significant injuries and damages. The firm has successfully litigated trucking accidents throughout Pennsylvania with seven-figure verdicts and settlements.
Location: Two Gateway Center, Suite 950, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Contact: (412) 281-4200 | https://www.caringlawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm handles motor vehicle accident cases throughout Pennsylvania.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Pennsylvania law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accident cases. The deadline is generally two years from the date of the accident. For claims against government vehicles or entities, notice must be provided within six months of the accident, and the lawsuit must typically be filed within the two-year period.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Pennsylvania law.
Insurance System: Pennsylvania is a “choice” no-fault auto insurance state. When purchasing auto insurance, drivers can choose between a traditional fault-based policy or a no-fault policy with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Drivers also choose between “full tort” and “limited tort” options, which affects their ability to recover non-economic damages.
Tort Options: Under the “limited tort” option, drivers can only recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering) if they suffer a “serious injury” defined as significant impairment of bodily function, permanent serious disfigurement, or death. Under “full tort,” there are no such restrictions on recovering non-economic damages. Truck accident victims often meet the serious injury threshold due to the severity of crashes with commercial vehicles.
Comparative Negligence Rule: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, an injured party can recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, if the plaintiff is 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. When the plaintiff is found partially at fault (50% or less), their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 per accident for property damage. Medical benefits coverage of at least $5,000 is also required.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must carry between $1 million and $5 million in coverage depending on the type of hazardous materials.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Pennsylvania courts apply FMCSA regulations in truck accident litigation. Violations of hours of service rules, maintenance requirements, and driver qualification standards can establish negligence. Evidence of FMCSA violations can be used to prove negligence per se in Pennsylvania courts.
Vicarious Liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies in Pennsylvania can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers while acting within the scope of employment.
Punitive Damages: Pennsylvania allows punitive damages in truck accident cases involving outrageous conduct, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. There is no statutory cap on punitive damages in Pennsylvania.
Damage Caps: Pennsylvania does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury or truck accident cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for truck accident claims?
A1: Pennsylvania law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation. For claims involving government-owned trucks or accidents on government property, you must provide written notice to the appropriate government agency within six months of the accident. Given these strict deadlines, consulting with a truck accident attorney promptly after an accident is essential.
Q2: How does Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident case?
A2: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, often called the “51% rule.” If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the truck accident, you can recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. This makes establishing liability and minimizing your assigned fault critical to your case’s success.
Q3: What is the difference between “full tort” and “limited tort” in Pennsylvania, and how does it affect truck accident claims?
A3: When purchasing auto insurance in Pennsylvania, drivers choose between “full tort” and “limited tort” options. Under limited tort, you can only recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) if you suffer a “serious injury,” defined as death, permanent serious disfigurement, or significant impairment of bodily function. Under full tort, there are no such restrictions. However, in truck accident cases, even limited tort policyholders can often pursue full damages because the severe nature of truck collisions frequently results in injuries meeting the serious injury threshold. Additionally, if the truck is registered in another state or the trucking company is from another state, the limited tort restriction may not apply.
Q4: Which parties can be held liable in a Pennsylvania truck accident case?
A4: Multiple parties may be liable in a Pennsylvania truck accident case. These include the truck driver who operated the vehicle negligently, the trucking company that employed the driver (under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior), cargo loading companies if improperly secured or overloaded cargo caused the accident, maintenance companies if mechanical failures were due to negligent repairs, truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment contributed to the crash, and in some cases, municipalities responsible for road maintenance if hazardous road conditions played a role. Investigating all potential defendants is essential to maximizing your compensation, as each may have separate insurance policies.
Q5: Are there damage caps in Pennsylvania truck accident cases?
A5: Pennsylvania does not impose statutory caps on economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) in truck accident cases. Additionally, there is no cap on punitive damages, which may be awarded when the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious, reckless, or intentional. This means that Pennsylvania truck accident victims can pursue full compensation for all their losses, including substantial awards in cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death. The lack of damage caps distinguishes Pennsylvania from some other states that limit the amounts recoverable in personal injury cases.