An accident with a semi truck can result in major injuries and extensive damage, but with our Pittsburgh semi-truck accident lawyer on your side, you don’t need to face the aftermath alone.
For almost seven decades, Munley Law has pursued compensation and justice for victims faced with steep medical bills and lost income or who have lost loved ones in truck accidents in Allegheny County – and we get results.
We’ve secured verdicts and settlements, including a $26 million truck accident settlement, enabling clients to cover their expenses, make up for lost income, and find closure and move on with their lives. All our partners have Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ratings, and our board-certified attorneys continue to be recognized for their work by the National Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Lawdragon, and Super Lawyers. We also regularly receive five-star Google Reviews from our clients.
The Pittsburgh truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are nationally recognized as leaders in truck accident law. Every member of our legal team has extensive experience in heavily defended truck injury cases.
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a semi-truck accident, you do not have to navigate the legal system alone. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation with our semi truck accident lawyer today. There is no fee for our services unless we win your case.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 
How Can Our Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Help Your Claim?
Commercial trucks are called “big rigs” for a reason. The average car might weigh in at 2.5 tons, while a semi truck can weigh 40 tons. Due to the disparity in size between a car and a semi, when a collision occurs for whatever reason, the results are often devastating. To give balance to an egregious situation, and to ensure each case is prepared properly and thoroughly from the onset, Munley Law’s Pittsburgh attorneys:
- Get a comprehensive, detailed report from our client and any passengers who were in the vehicles involved
- Obtain all accident reports
- Request copies of medical records to document the extent of the injuries
- Collect any pictures taken at the scene
- Interview witnesses
- Determine all potential insurance providers
- Consult with medical experts
- Investigate and document skid marks, accident debris, and oil, gas, and radiator fluid stains
Our investigations often reveal evidence not immediately available at the accident scene. Many trucks on the road today are equipped with interior and exterior cameras, and this video evidence is vital information that can help prove liability.
What Compensation Can You Receive For a Semi-Truck Accident?
The effects of a roadway accident are pervasive. Following any motor vehicle accident, the outcome of a client’s case is in the hands of only a very few people. Having the right Pittsburgh commercial truck lawyer can make a significant monetary difference in the potential award to the plaintiff.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is a nationally recognized leader in the field of truck accident litigation. We are among only a handful of Pennsylvania injury lawyers who have earned board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. We are also the only firm in the United States with two lawyers who have led the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group. No other Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer can match our level of truck expertise.
In addition to documented financial losses, such as missed wages, medical bills, and loss of personal property, it may be possible to seek monetary compensation for pain and suffering as well as:
- Loss of work benefits, including commissions, vacation time, bonuses, and promotions
- Adaptive equipment
- Physical and occupational therapy costs
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Medications
- Diagnostic tests
- Counseling
- Home health care
- Travel expenses, if needed, for medical treatments
- Funeral and burial costs
At Munley Law, our attorneys will work with medical professionals and financial experts to determine how much compensation you justly deserve, and we will pursue it by negotiating with insurance companies. If necessary, we will argue your case in court to ensure those responsible for your accident are held accountable.
Why Do Semi Truck Accidents Happen in Pittsburgh?
Pennsylvania ranks number 5 (behind California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia) in states with the highest number of truck accidents. Our state leads the nation in fatal under-ride crashes (a passenger vehicle slides under the back or sides of a large truck or trailer), and I-95 is the third most fatal roadway for overall truck accidents.
Allegheny County, and in particular Pittsburgh, is one of the top counties in the Commonwealth for semi truck accidents. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were over 450 truck accidents that occurred in our area, and the number continues to increase each year. To put this into greater perspective, PennDOT reported that there were 6,805 heavy truck accidents across the state in 2024, while 2023 saw 6,685 accidents. 124 of the crashes in 2024 were fatal.
There are many causes for the ever-increasing number of semi-truck accidents in Pittsburgh. As your advocates, we will first determine and prove what kinds of factors and negligent actions led to your crash. Stress and fatigue are prevalent among truckers. Violations of federal regulations about mandated rest breaks and maximum hours on the clock lead to stress and fatigue. Traveling through and around construction sites and work zones is dangerous and problematic for any driver, let alone one responsible for a vehicle 25 times heavier than a passenger car.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tells us that large trucks are involved in one-third of all fatal crashes occurring in work zones. As long-distance truckers basically live in their vehicles when they are on the road, it is easy for them to multitask or become easily distracted.
Impaired driving makes a definite impact on commercial trucking accidents. According to an article published in the Commercial Carrier Journal, the CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse removed 40,000 drivers in the first nine months of 2020 due to failed drug tests, predominantly from marijuana use.
A more recent article revealed that the CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse downgraded the licenses and revoked the commercial driving privileges of more than 178,000 truck drivers and other CDL holders for failing drug and alcohol tests in 2024. If the Department of Health and Human Services mandates hair follicle testing vs. urine testing, it is predicted that five to ten times as many drivers will become ineligible to drive.
What are Other Common Causes of Pittsburgh Semi-Truck Accidents?
There are numerous other common causes of semi-truck accidents in the Pittsburgh area. These include:
- Driving an overloaded vehicle
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Mechanical failure
- Defective parts
- Unsecured load
- Inclement weather
- Being unfamiliar with the roads
- Medical conditions
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Shortage of drivers
- Insufficient inspections
- Speed
Safety is a major consideration for all those who share the road with semi trucks. Underride accidents often result in a fatality when another vehicle collides with a truck and ends up underneath. A large commercial vehicle has multiple blind spots called “no-zones,” which prevent it from seeing all surrounding vehicles.
The very size of a semi truck makes turning difficult. A trucker needing to turn right will often have to swing left first, placing vehicles on either side in danger. Additionally, when traveling at 65 mph, a big truck needs almost 420 feet to stop.
In comparison, a standard football field is only 300 feet. The balance of height and weight in a semi truck makes it particularly susceptible to rollovers even while traveling at a low speed. This can often happen when traveling up or down an incline, turning a corner, or when a tire goes off the roadway.
Whether your accident was caused by one of the common factors mentioned above or by something else, contact Munley Law. We will investigate it, advise you about your legal options, and help you protect your rights.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Semi Truck Accident?
In an interview with Business Insider, a 20-year veteran driver stated, “Drivers are now more reckless than ever trying to make it to their destination before the clock runs out with the mandatory breaks and such.” That said, drivers aren’t always solely responsible for semi-truck accidents in Allegheny County, PA. Trucking companies can be found negligent and held accountable when they:
- Knowingly hire a driver with a history of substance abuse
- Retain a driver with multiple moving violations
- Fail to properly maintain equipment, such as hydraulic brakes and tires
Semi truck drivers are governed by special rules and regulations designed and enforced to keep our roads safe. Some of these regulations include pre-employment, post-accident, and random testing to screen for substance abuse. Truckers’ service hours are limited and restricted to prevent fatigued drivers from taking to the highway without sufficient rest. The trucks are subject to weight restrictions, and fleet owners are under obligation to inspect and maintain their trucks according to federal and state requirements.
Why Choose Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys as Your Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyer?
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is a nationally recognized leader in the field of truck accident litigation. We are among only a handful of Pennsylvania injury lawyers who have earned board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Our experienced team of litigators is widely recognized for excellence in assisting victims to recover financially from commercial truck accidents. Daniel Munley is a renowned speaker and presents cutting-edge truck accident trial techniques at legal conferences throughout the United States. Marion Munley has recovered many multimillion-dollar verdicts for her clients. Another of our lawyers, Katie Nealon, is also board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Two of our lawyers, including Marion Munley and Daniel Munley, are also board certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. We are also the only firm in the United States with two lawyers who have led the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group. Marion Munley is currently the Vice President of the AAJ, and she and Daniel became the first recipients of the Trucking Litigation Group’s Robert W. Munley Pursuit of Justice Award, which was named after our firm’s founder.
Daniel Munley also received the group’s Ring of Honor Award. In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named Marion and Daniel among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers and named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. All our partners have also been named to the Irish Legal 100 list, and all our lawyers are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Our extensive knowledge and experience in investigating and litigating truck accidents and other personal injury cases, and our dedication to our clients, are why we’ve helped injured Pennsylvanians recover more than $1 billion in damages. Some of our client victories include a $19.8 million, $11 million, $9.95 million, and $9 million truck accident settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semi Truck Accidents in Pittsburgh
What is the Impact of Trucking Accidents on Pennsylvania?
The societal impact of trucking accidents nationwide is staggering. There is no average truck accident. Each separate incident (500,000 a year) can cause millions of dollars when we factor in property damage, physical damage, and emotional damage to victims and their families and consider the financial burdens a trucking company will bear following an accident. Despite the stay-at-home mandates of COVID-19, preliminary data tells us 8,870 wrongful deaths from motor vehicle accidents happened during the second quarter of 2020. Trucking accidents throughout Pennsylvania directly impact workplace productivity, household incomes, and travel delay costs.
Although private insurers bear the majority of the costs associated with truck accidents, some financial burdens are absorbed by:
- Federal revenues and state municipalities
- The crash victims
- Health care providers
- Charities
Additionally, costs of travel delays and a rise in taxes and insurance premiums may, at least in part, stem from roadway accidents. As truck accident lawyers, we also strive to improve safety on our nation’s highways.
How Can I Protect My Trucking Accident Claim?
After a semi truck accident, you may be confused and frustrated. You may not be sure what you should do next. But there are things you can do to protect your semi truck accident claim before you speak with a Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer.
First, gather as much evidence as you can. This includes contact information of other drivers, passengers, and witnesses; getting the police report; keeping a record of all expenses; and continuing to go to your medical appointments.
You will also want to start an insurance claim with your insurance company. This will be your first avenue of getting compensation for your truck accident injuries.
During this time, the other party’s insurance company may try to contact you about the accident. Remember, you are not under any obligation to speak with them. If you do speak with them, inform them that you do not want the conversation recorded, and keep your statements brief and factual.
I Was Partially At Fault for the Accident. Will That Hurt My Personal Injury Claim?
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. What this means is that when you are in a motor vehicle accident, your insurance company will pay your expenses up to the limit of coverage you have selected. If your injuries exceed the amount of expenses, you may be able to file a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
However, if you are partially at fault for the accident, there is a chance that you will receive less than what your claim is worth. This is called comparative negligence. For example, if you are found to be 10 percent at fault for the truck accident and your claim was awarded $100,000, then you will receive $90,000. It’s important to note that if you are found more than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you will not be able to recover damages.
Filing a semi truck accident claim can be difficult. That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney to find out what your next steps should be.
Could More Than One Party Be Held Liable?
It’s common in a semi truck accident that there are multiple parties involved in the accident. Not only could the truck driver be held liable, but so could the trucking company, the shipping carrier, and at times, even the government.
The more parties that are responsible for the accident, the more complex your personal injury lawsuit will become. That’s why it’s important to speak with a semi truck accident attorney in Pittsburgh who has the experience needed for these cases.
Our Pittsburgh Semi Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you have suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident in Pittsburgh, and if you think you may have a personal injury case, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today. We have represented truck crash victims and their families throughout the United States since 1959. We are recognized as industry leaders and regularly are featured speakers at trucking law events throughout the country.
Don’t delay, because under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is one of the nation’s most decorated and respected truck accident lawyers. Having contributed to numerous publications and spoken at numerous conferences, she has advocated for truck accident victims nationwide. Marion is Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the NBTA and is the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 – additionally, she was named “Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Marion has assisted in several landmark truck accident settlements, including a $26 million settlement for a single mother of three who was critically injured when a tractor trailer collided with her car.
