Pittsburgh
Drunk Driving Truck Accident Lawyer

A commercial truck operated by a drunk driver is one of the most dangerous situations on any road. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. At highway speed, that weight becomes a devastating force. When alcohol is added to the equation, the driver’s reaction time slows, judgment fails, and the consequences for everyone else on the road can be life-altering.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our attorneys have been handling serious truck accident cases since 1981. We have recovered hundreds of millions for Pittsburgh families.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a drunk driving truck accident in Pittsburgh, contact us or call us today for a free consultation at (412) 471-8500.

You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Call Our Attorneys: (412) 471-8500

Who Is Liable if I Was Injured in a Drunk Driving Truck Accident?

After a collision with a drunk commercial truck driver, multiple parties may share liability, the truck driver, the trucking company, and even the bar or restaurant that served the driver before the crash.

The Truck Driver

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration holds commercial drivers to a stricter standard than regular motorists. The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for a CDL holder is 0.04%, half the 0.08% standard that applies to regular drivers in Pennsylvania.

The Trucking Company

A trucking company may bear direct liability if it knew or should have known a driver had a substance abuse problem and placed that driver on the road anyway.

The Bar or Restaurant

Under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law, 47 P.S. Section 4-493(1), a licensed establishment that serves a visibly intoxicated person may be held civilly liable if that person later causes a crash.

The bar or truck stop that overserved the driver before the accident may be an additional defendant in your case.

If you are reading this after a drunk driving truck accident, stop and call us first. You do not need to know what happened or who is at fault.

That is our job. (412) 471-8500.

What Are My Rights After Being Injured in a Drunk Driving Truck Accident?

Being hit by a drunk commercial truck driver gives you the right to pursue significant compensation, but there are rules and deadlines that determine how and when you can act.

The two-year filing window opens the day of your crash

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524, Pennsylvania gives injured victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline is absolute, miss it and your right to recover is gone permanently.

The driver is rarely the only defendant

The trucking company and any alcohol vendor that served the driver before the crash may also share liability. Federal FMCSA regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing of commercial drivers after any serious accident, those results are critical evidence that must be preserved immediately.

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Being partially at fault won't end your claim.

Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102, you can still recover as long as your share of fault stays below 51%.

Your award is reduced proportionally, which is exactly why locking down evidence early makes such a difference.

We know this courthouse.

Most Pittsburgh drunk driving truck accident claims are filed in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Our attorneys have practiced there for decades and know what it takes to win.

Violations of federal driver qualification and hours of service rules often become central to proving the case.

Call (412) 471-8500 for a free consultation, the sooner you reach out, the better.

How We Fight For Your Drunk Driving Truck Accident Claim

Drunk driving cases involving commercial trucks are among the most actionable claims in personal injury law.

Here’s how we pursue them.

  • Step 1: Call Us Before You Do Anything Else
    Before you speak to an insurance company or sign anything, call (412) 471-8500 or contact us online. We’ll review the facts of your case, explain your rights, and map out a legal strategy, at no cost and no obligation.
  • Step 2: We Move Fast on the Evidence
    Post-accident alcohol test results, black box data, driver logbooks, surveillance footage, and dram shop records are all time-sensitive. Trucking companies and their insurers know this, and they act quickly. So do we. We send preservation demands immediately to ensure nothing is lost or overwritten.
  • Step 3: We Build the Full Liability Picture
    A drunk CDL driver behind the wheel is powerful evidence of negligence, but it’s rarely the whole story. We investigate the carrier’s hiring practices, training records, and supervision policies, as well as any alcohol vendor who served the driver. Every responsible party is another avenue of recovery.
  • Step 4: We Take on the Carriers and Their Insurers
    Trucking companies carry large insurance policies and experienced legal teams. Once you retain us, we handle every interaction with the carrier, their adjuster, and their attorneys. You won’t be put in a position to say something that hurts your case.
  • Step 5: Maximum Recovery, By Settlement or Verdict
    Drunk driving by a commercial driver is one of the strongest fact patterns for both compensatory and punitive damages. We pursue the full value of your claim at the negotiating table, and we’re prepared to make that case before a jury if necessary.
  • Step 6: You Collect, We Take Our Fee From the Recovery
    No upfront payments, no out-of-pocket legal costs. Our contingency fee comes from what we recover for you, and only if we win.
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ABOUT
WHy Choose The Drunk Driving Truck Accident Attorneys at OMP

A drunk commercial truck driver is one of the most egregious forms of negligence on the road, and the legal case that follows requires attorneys who know how to prove it.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we’ve spent over 40 years pursuing justice for accident victims across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We know the federal regulations commercial drivers are held to, we know how carriers and their insurers operate, and we know how to use that knowledge to maximum effect in court.

You’ll work directly with an attorney who has handled cases like yours and isn’t afraid to take on well-resourced defendants.

No upfront costs, no fees unless we recover for you. Contact us or call (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation.

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“

I highly recommend Mike Murphy and John Perkosky. They kept us informed every step of the way. Both are incredibly caring and were readily available to answer any questions we had. I felt completely confident in their abilities and am extremely grateful for all that they did. Mike and John fought hard to get us the best possible outcome for our case.

– Cheryl G.
“

The best firm in the city, and I'm not just saying that because of my name! Their level of legal knowledge here is unparalleled. Whether it's a personal injury or medical malpractice case, this firm is equipped to handle even the most complex matters. Their track record truly speaks for itself!

– Brandon O.
“

This Law Firm has a very unique way of handling your case. They strive to maximize your settlement, and I appreciate their hard work and professionalism.

– Tyler B.
“

I had such a great experience working with attorney Ben Gobel. His expertise and professionalism was evident throughout my case. He truly worked hard to bring me the best results. I highly recommend Ben for any personal injury issues.

– Ronald L.
“

Attorney Ben Gobel was fantastic. He was accessible and spent a lot of time reviewing my case with me, providing me with all of my options, possible outcomes and his recommendations. I had many questions and he answered every one of them thoroughly. Ultimately, I felt heard and had a better than anticipated outcome to my case!

– Erin O.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Truck Accident Claims

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Call 911 and get medical attention even if you feel fine, symptoms sometimes appear hours later. Do not speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney. Evidence in commercial truck cases, including black box data and post-accident alcohol test results, can disappear quickly. Then call us. You do not need to have everything sorted out before you call. That is what we are here for.

Yes, in many cases. The trucking company may be liable under theories of negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, or negligent supervision if the employer knew or should have known the driver had a substance abuse problem. Our attorneys investigate every responsible party, not just the person behind the wheel.

Under federal FMCSA regulations, the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%, half the 0.08% limit that applies to regular drivers. A truck driver at or above that threshold is legally impaired under federal law, regardless of how they appear.

Possibly. Under Pennsylvania’s dram shop law, 47 P.S. Section 4-493(1), a licensed establishment that serves a visibly intoxicated person may be held civilly liable if that person later causes a crash. If a bar or truck stop overserved the driver before the accident, that establishment may be an additional defendant in your case.

Pennsylvania courts may award punitive damages in cases involving egregious conduct. Drunk driving by a CDL holder, who is held to a stricter legal standard, is among the strongest fact patterns for pursuing punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Whether they apply in your specific case depends on the facts.

Nothing upfront. We handle drunk driving truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery. If we do not obtain a recovery for you, you owe us nothing. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Truck Attorneys Today

A collision caused by an impaired truck driver can result in catastrophic injuries, extensive medical treatment, lost income, and long-term changes to your daily life. Our attorneys can investigate the driver’s conduct, the trucking company’s role, and other contributing factors while pursuing compensation from those responsible for the crash.

Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

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    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

    245 Fort Pitt Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, US