Auto Accident Injury in Pittsburgh, PA

A simple drive through the city—down Carson Street, across the Fort Pitt Bridge, or into the tunnels—can quickly take a turn for the worse. In Pittsburgh, where winding roads, steep hills, and unpredictable traffic patterns collide, accidents aren’t just possible—they’re common. Interest:

Pittsburgh’s terrain and layout make it one of the more challenging cities to drive in, particularly during rain, snow, or icy conditions that are frequent in Western Pennsylvania. Add to that the surge in distracted driving and aging infrastructure, and you’ve got an environment where crashes are all too frequent. Desire:

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Pittsburgh, you may be facing rising medical bills, lost income, and a maze of insurance paperwork—all while trying to recover.

This guide walks Pittsburgh residents through what to do after a crash, what your rights are under Pennsylvania law, and how a local attorney can help you pursue full compensation.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is no stranger to motor vehicle accidents. In 2022, Allegheny County—which includes the city of Pittsburgh—recorded 9,472 reported crashes, resulting in 5,661 injuries and 93 fatalities (source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2022 Crash Facts & Statistics). Of those, more than a quarter involved speeding, aggressive driving, or distracted driving—three of the leading contributors to serious collisions across the state.

Many of Pittsburgh’s crashes occur in areas known for heavy congestion or complex traffic flow. The Squirrel Hill Tunnel remains one of the most accident-prone spots in the region, followed closely by the Route 51 corridor and the inbound side of the Liberty Tunnel. The city’s multi-level roads and frequent merging points create challenges even for seasoned drivers.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

A crash in Pittsburgh can shake you up—both literally and emotionally. But knowing what to do in those critical moments can help protect your safety, preserve your rights, and strengthen your ability to recover fair compensation later.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

The most important thing you can do after a car accident is get medical care right away. Even if you feel fine, don’t assume you’re in the clear—some injuries, like internal bleeding or soft tissue damage, can take hours or even days to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible helps catch hidden issues early and creates a medical record that could be critical if you need to file a claim later.

File a Police Report

Pennsylvania law requires you to report an accident to police if it results in injury, death, or vehicle damage so severe it prevents the vehicle from being driven (source: 75 Pa. C.S. § 3746).

If your vehicle is operable and you’re not in immediate danger, move to the shoulder or a safe side street. Use hazard lights and cones, if available, to alert other drivers—especially if you’re on one of Pittsburgh’s narrower roads or curved inclines where visibility is limited.

If you are requesting a report through the mail, make sure you include what type of incident, a report number, a photocopy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The phone number is 412-255-2920 if you’d like to call ahead or if you have any additional questions. You can also visit the city of Pittsburgh Municipal Website for more information on how to obtain information, and the steps local Sheriffs and Police recommend you take after an Auto Accident.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

Use your phone to take clear, comprehensive photos. Focus on:

• The position of the vehicles
• Damage to all cars involved
• Traffic lights and signage
• Skid marks, debris, or weather-related hazards
• Any visible injuries

Include wide shots of the area to show road layout and close-ups of key damage. If the crash occurred near businesses or intersections, check for nearby cameras that may have captured the incident. Document the time of day, weather conditions, and traffic flow to help your attorney build a detailed timeline of events.

Be cautious with your words. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to say something like, “I’m sorry,” even out of politeness. But in legal terms, that can be interpreted as an admission of fault. Stick to factual observations, and avoid guessing what caused the accident.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After a car accident in Pittsburgh, your injuries may leave you dealing with far more than physical pain. Medical bills, lost wages, long-term recovery, and the emotional toll can quickly add up—and Pennsylvania law provides a pathway to seek compensation for these losses. Understanding what you can recover, how it’s calculated, and the role of fault under the state’s legal system can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Economic damages refer to the quantifiable financial losses directly related to the accident. These include:

• Medical expenses: hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, follow-up care, and prescriptions
• Future medical care: ongoing treatment, mobility aids, or in-home care for long-term injuries
• Lost income: wages you’ve missed while recovering
• Loss of earning capacity: if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or limit your future career prospects
• Property damage: repairs or replacement costs for your vehicle or other damaged personal property
• Out-of-pocket costs: including transportation to appointments, over-the-counter medications, and home adjustments

For many Pittsburgh drivers, especially those dealing with more severe injuries, these costs can be overwhelming. It’s not unusual for hospital stays at UPMC Mercy or Allegheny General to result in tens of thousands of dollars in bills that can quickly spiral without the right insurance or legal help.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Auto Accident Laws in Pennsylvania

Liability Laws for Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state, meaning drivers select either limited tort or full tort insurance coverage when purchasing their auto policies. With limited tort coverage, your right to sue for non-economic damages—like pain and suffering—is restricted unless you’ve suffered a serious injury, as defined by state law (75 Pa. C.S. § 1705). Serious injuries typically involve significant impairment of bodily function or permanent disfigurement. If you chose full tort coverage, you retain the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering regardless of injury severity.

Every driver in Pennsylvania must carry the following minimum insurance:

• $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
• $5,000 in property damage liability
• $5,000 in medical benefits (first-party benefits)

Statute of Limitations in Pittsburgh

For most car accident cases in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). This applies to lawsuits involving bodily injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other accident-related harms. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the two-year mark, the court will likely dismiss your case—even if the other driver was clearly at fault.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Pittsburgh, PA

Local knowledge matters. A Pittsburgh attorney knows the traffic patterns on Bigelow Boulevard, understands how Allegheny County courts operate, and has firsthand experience dealing with regional insurers. They know how to challenge limited tort restrictions, prove fault in shared-responsibility cases, and maximize both economic and non-economic damages based on Pennsylvania law.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Pennsylvania!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.