Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys who understand the state’s 51% comparative fault bar, the limited-tort vs. full-tort auto choice, and the Sovereign Immunity Act and Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act caps. Whether your injury happened in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, on I-76, I-79, or I-95, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

Two years from the date of injury under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. Wrongful death is also two years under § 5524. Notice of claim against State and local government must be served within 6 months under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522(a).

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is greater than the combined fault of all defendants you recover nothing. Fair Share Act modifies joint and several at the 60% threshold.

Pennsylvania drivers choose between limited tort (lower premium, no pain-and-suffering recovery for non-serious injuries) and full tort (higher premium, full recovery) under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705. The election controls your auto-case recovery — though serious-injury, intoxicated-driver, out-of-state-vehicle, and certain other exceptions can break the limitation.

Auto, truck, motorcycle, and rideshare crashes (with limited/full tort election); slip-and-falls; dog bites (strict liability for medical costs under 3 P.S. § 459-502-A); defective products; medical malpractice (under MCARE Act); nursing home neglect; premises liability; negligent security; workplace third-party claims; SEPTA, PATCO, and public-transit incidents; and wrongful death.

You look at your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, homeowner’s or commercial policies, and any vicarious-liability defendants. Pennsylvania requires UM/UIM offerings with written rejection rules under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1731.

Most settle, but Philadelphia juries return some of the largest verdicts in the country, and Allegheny and Lehigh county juries are also active venues. Defense insurers know which firms try cases.

Sovereign Immunity Act applies for State claims and Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act for local claims. Both impose immunity defenses with limited statutory waivers, damage caps, and 6-month notice requirements.

Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys typically take cases on a contingency basis — no upfront cost, and they’re paid a percentage of the recovery only if they win. Typical fees range from 33% to 40% depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Case expenses are normally advanced by the firm.

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania applies modified comparative fault with a 51% bar under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102 — recovery is barred if your fault is greater than the combined fault of all defendants. The standard PI SOL is two years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault auto state — drivers select either limited tort or full tort under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705. The Sovereign Immunity Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8521 et seq.) caps damages against the Commonwealth at $250,000 per plaintiff / $1M aggregate (with statutory waivers), and the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8541 et seq.) caps political subdivision damages at $500,000 aggregate per occurrence. Philadelphia juries are among the most active PI venues in the country.

When Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?

Our network includes Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Pennsylvania

From the moment you connect with a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Treating the 51% bar as if apportionment doesn’t matter

Missing the 6-month notice rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522(a)

Misapplying limited-tort election in auto cases — there are exceptions

Missing the MCARE certificate of merit deadline

Giving a recorded statement to the defendant’s insurer without counsel

Settling before reaching maximum medical improvement and pricing future care

Treating the 51% bar as if apportionment doesn’t matter

Missing the 6-month notice rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522(a)

Misapplying limited-tort election in auto cases — there are exceptions

Missing the MCARE certificate of merit deadline

Giving a recorded statement to the defendant’s insurer without counsel

Settling before reaching maximum medical improvement and pricing future care

Common Pennsylvania Personal Injury Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Personal injury attorneys in Pennsylvania work on a contingency fee basis — typically 33% to 40% of the total recovery. Pennsylvania’s limited/full tort elections, immunity statutes, and Fair Share Act make case planning intricate. Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and deducted from the final recovery.

What Can Your Pennsylvania Personal Injury Compensation Include?

Economic Damages (No Cap in standard PI)

Past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs — uncapped in standard PI cases. State and local government claims subject to immunity-act caps.

Non-Economic Damages (No Cap in standard PI)

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment — no statutory cap in standard PI cases. Limited tort elections restrict pain-and-suffering recovery in some auto cases.

Punitive Damages (No Statutory Cap)

Available under Pennsylvania common law for outrageous conduct on a clear-and-convincing showing. No statutory cap in standard PI (medical malpractice limited under MCARE).

Loss of Consortium

Recoverable by the uninjured spouse for loss of companionship, services, and society.

Wrongful Death and Survival

Pennsylvania-specific: separate Wrongful Death Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8301) and Survival Statute (§ 8302) actions. Wrongful death covers pecuniary loss and some non-economic; survival captures pre-death pain and suffering and lost future earnings.

Sovereign / Political Subdivision Caps

Pennsylvania-specific: Sovereign Immunity Act caps state claims at $250K/plaintiff and $1M aggregate; Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act caps local claims at $500K aggregate per occurrence.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?

When Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Pennsylvania

Common Pennsylvania Personal Injury Mistakes

How Much Do Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Pennsylvania Personal Injury Compensation Include?

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