Pittsburgh
Highway Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. Our Pittsburgh Highway Accident Lawyers Are Here to Shoulder Your Legal Burdens
2. Highway Accidents in Pittsburgh Are Dangerous
3. Common Causes of Highway Accidents in Pittsburgh
4. Serious Injuries Caused by Pittsburgh Highway Accidents
5. Damages Available to Victims of a Pittsburgh Highway Accident
6. What to Do After a Pittsburgh Highway Accident

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2025

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

A serious highway accident can change your life in an instant. On Pittsburgh’s busy interstates and parkways, high speeds, heavy traffic, and sudden congestion make crashes especially dangerous.

If you were injured on I-376, I-279, Route 28, or another major roadway in or around Pittsburgh, you may be facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies—all at once.

You do not have to handle this alone. A Pittsburgh highway accident lawyer at Berger and Green can help you understand your options and protect your rights after a serious crash. We know how traumatic these accidents can be, and we are here to take on the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery.

Call now to get started with a free consultation. Our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers are ready to get to work for you today.

Our Pittsburgh Highway Accident Lawyers Are Here to Shoulder Your Legal Burdens

After a serious highway accident, injured victims are often dealing with physical pain, financial stress, and pressure from insurance companies.

If you work with Berger and Green, a Pittsburgh highway accident lawyer manages every legal aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery.

Our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyersunderstand the unique challenges that highway accident cases present and know how to build strong claims based on the facts of the crash. We help by:

• Investigating how the highway accident occurred and identifying all responsible parties
• Handling communication and negotiations with insurance companies
• Pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages
• Addressing complex issues such as multi-vehicle crashes and commercial truck involvement
• Representing you in court if the other party will not offer a fair settlement

By taking on these responsibilities, we help relieve the stress and uncertainty that often follow a serious accident.

Proven Results in Serious Highway Accident Cases

Our experience handling complex accident cases allows us to pursue meaningful results for injured clients. In one highway accident case, we represented a husband and wife who were injured when a driver made an unsafe lane change, causing them to brake suddenly.

A tractor-trailer was following too closely and then crashed into their vehicle. By holding both drivers accountable, we secured full compensation for our clients.

In another case, our attorneys represented a client who suffered a broken clavicle, concussion, and other injuries after a driver crossed into her lane.

Through a thorough investigation, we identified multiple sources of insurance coverage and secured a $180,000 recovery, ensuring our client received the compensation she deserved.

At Berger and Green, we combine experience, careful investigation, and personalized advocacy to help injured victims move forward after serious highway accidents.

Highway Accidents in Pittsburgh Are Dangerous

Pittsburgh’s highways are some of the busiest and most challenging roads in the region, carrying heavy commuter traffic into and out of the city every day.

According to the City of Pittsburgh Crash Data Dashboard, there were 1,363 reported car crashes on state roads in 2024, including 11 fatal crashes and 492 rear–end collisions.

Looking at longer-term trends, 7,981 crashes occurred on state roads between 2020 and 2024, highlighting how common and dangerous highway driving can be for motorists traveling through the region.

Several major highways are especially prone to serious crashes due to congestion, roadway design, and sudden changes in traffic flow:

• I–376 (Parkway East and Parkway West): The Parkway is one of Pittsburgh’s most heavily traveled routes and one of its most dangerous. Drivers frequently encounter abrupt slowdowns near tunnels, interchanges, and construction zones. At highway speeds, these sudden stops often lead to rear-end and chain-reaction crashes that cause severe injuries.
• I–279: This major commuter route into downtown Pittsburgh sees heavy traffic during peak hours, along with multiple on-ramps and merges. Drivers have little time to react when traffic backs up, increasing the risk of high-speed collisions.
• Route 28: Narrow lanes, limited shoulders, and aggressive driving make Route 28 a common site of serious accidents, particularly for drivers commuting between the city and nearby communities.

Pittsburgh’s geography and weather further increase the danger on these roadways. Steep hills, sharp curves, tunnels, and bridges can cause sudden traffic changes, while rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and traction, especially on elevated sections of highway.

In these conditions, one driver’s moment of inattention can quickly trigger a multi-vehicle accident with life-altering consequences.

If you were injured on a highway in or around Pittsburgh, understanding where the crash occurred—and why—can play an important role in protecting your legal options.

Common Causes of Highway Accidents in Pittsburgh

In most cases, a serious crash on the highway can be traced back to a driver’s careless or reckless behavior. Certain driving behaviors come up again and again in highway accident cases throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, including:

• Speeding, especially in areas where traffic suddenly slows near tunnels, bridges, or construction zones
• Following too closely, leaving little time to stop at highway speeds
• Unsafe lane changes or merges, which are common on busy routes like I-376 and I-279
• Distracted driving, including texting, GPS use, or inattention in heavy traffic
• Fatigued driving, particularly during long commutes or late-night travel
• Aggressive driving or road rage, which can escalate quickly on congested highways
• Construction zones, where narrowed lanes and reduced visibility increase the risk of collisions
• Weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, or fog, that make Pittsburgh’s highways and bridges more hazardous

Many highway crashes are caused by a combination of these factors rather than a single issue. For example, a speeding driver who is also distracted may not notice traffic slowing near a tunnel until it is too late. When negligence plays a role, injured victims may have the right to seek compensation for the harm they have suffered.

Multi-Vehicle and Chain-Reaction Accidents on Pittsburgh Highways

Many serious highway crashes in Pittsburgh involve multiple vehicles. On crowded interstates and parkways, traffic moves at high speeds with little space between cars. When one driver brakes suddenly, makes an unsafe lane change, or loses control, a chain-reaction crash can happen in seconds.

These accidents are especially common near tunnels, construction zones, and busy interchanges, where traffic often slows without warning. Rear-end collisions frequently trigger larger pileups, leaving nearby drivers with little opportunity to avoid impact.

Multi-vehicle crashes tend to cause more severe injuries and present greater legal challenges. Fault may be shared among several drivers, and insurance companies often dispute responsibility. Legal representation is often essential to identify liability and pursue full compensation.

Truck Accidents on Pittsburgh Highways

Truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on Pittsburgh highways. Tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles are significantly larger and heavier than passenger cars, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries when a collision occurs.

Pittsburgh’s steep grades, sharp curves, tunnels, and frequent construction zones make highway truck accidents even more dangerous. Large trucks require more time and distance to stop, and sudden traffic changes can quickly lead to serious crashes. Blind spots, wide turns, and shifting cargo also contribute to these accidents.

Truck accident claims are often more complex than typical car accident cases. Responsibility may extend beyond the driver to a trucking company or other parties, and commercial insurers are often aggressive in defending claims. Having a highway accident lawyer who understands these challenges can be critical from the start.

Serious Injuries Caused by Pittsburgh Highway Accidents

Highway accidents often result in far more serious injuries than crashes on local streets. Many victims are left facing long recoveries, permanent limitations, or life-altering medical conditions. Some of the most common injuries caused by highway accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Even with seat belts and airbags, the force of a highway crash can cause concussions or more serious brain injuries. TBIs may affect memory, concentration, mood, and daily functioning.
• Spinal cord and back injuries: Damage to the spine can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis, often requiring ongoing medical treatment.
• Broken bones and orthopedic injuries: High-speed crashes frequently cause fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, hips, or pelvis. These injuries may require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
• Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma can damage organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen. These injuries are not always immediately visible and may require urgent medical attention.
• Neck and soft tissue injuries: Whiplash and muscle injuries are common in rear-end and chain-reaction crashes. Though often underestimated, they can cause ongoing pain and restricted movement.
• Cuts, burns, and scarring: Broken glass, vehicle fires, or metal impact can cause severe lacerations or burns, sometimes resulting in permanent scarring or disfigurement.

In many cases, the effects of these injuries extend beyond the initial recovery period, influencing a person’s daily life and long-term health.

Understanding the nature and severity of these injuries is an important step when evaluating what comes next after a serious highway accident.

Damages Available to Victims of a Pittsburgh Highway Accident

A serious highway accident can impact nearly every part of your life. In addition to painful injuries, many victims face overwhelming financial pressure and long-term uncertainty about their health and ability to work.

When a crash is caused by someone else’s negligence, Pennsylvania law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for the losses they suffer.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up care, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical treatment related to your injuries.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working while you recover, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you have already lost.
• Loss of future earning capacity: Some highway accident injuries result in permanent limitations that make it difficult or impossible to return to the same job or career.
• Pain and suffering: Serious injuries often cause lasting physical pain and emotional distress that affect your daily life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: When injuries limit your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, this loss may also be compensable.

Highway accident claims often involve significant damages because injuries tend to be more severe. Insurance companies frequently try to minimize these losses, making it important to have experienced legal representation advocating for the full value of your claim.

What to Do After a Pittsburgh Highway Accident

A serious highway crash can leave you shaken and unsure of what steps to take next. What you do in the hours and days after an accident can affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation later.

Get Medical Care and Document Your Injuries

Your health should always come first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a highway accident, even if you believe your injuries are minor.

High-speed crashes frequently cause injuries that may not show symptoms right away. Medical records also play an important role in connecting your injuries to the accident.

Make Sure the Accident Is Properly Reported

Highway accidents should be reported to the Pennsylvania State Police or other responding law enforcement to create an official crash report.

This is especially important in multi-vehicle or chain-reaction crashes, where fault may be disputed. A police report can help document how the accident occurred, who was involved, and whether traffic violations played a role.

Be Careful With Insurance Companies

Pennsylvania’s auto insurance laws can be complicated, and many drivers are unsure how coverage applies after a serious accident. The state’s system can affect what benefits are available and how injury claims are handled.

Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, ask for recorded statements, or offer a settlement before you understand the full impact of your injuries.

It is important to be cautious. Accepting an early offer or making statements without legal guidance can limit your ability to recover full compensation.

Act Quickly to Protect Your Right to Damages

Time is a critical factor after a highway accident. In Pennsylvania, personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which in most cases is two years from the date of the accident. If a lawsuit is not filed within the prescribed timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely.

Let Our Highway Accident Attorneys in Pittsburgh Represent You

Because highway accident cases often require detailed investigations and may involve multiple parties or insurance policies, waiting too long can seriously weaken your case.

Speaking with a Pittsburgh highway accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights and evidence from the beginning.

Our attorneys can guide you through Pennsylvania’s insurance rules, handle communication with insurers, and make sure important deadlines are not missed, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Call Berger and Green today to get started with a freeconsultation.