Pittsburgh
Improper Truck Loading Accident Attorney

An improperly loaded truck can fail in ways the driver never sees coming, a shifting load, a tire blown by uneven weight, cargo spilling across a lane. Commercial trucks run up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded, and when that weight is secured or distributed wrong, the truck becomes dangerous before it ever makes a mistake on the road.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our attorneys have been handling serious personal injury cases since 1981. We have recovered over $250 million for injury victims across western Pennsylvania.

If you were injured in an improper truck loading accident in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County, contact us or call us today for a free consultation at (412) 471-8500. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Who Is Liable if I Was Injured in an Improper Truck Loading Accident?

Improper loading accidents involve a web of potentially responsible parties. The truck driver, trucking company, freight broker, shipping company, and loading dock operator can each bear liability depending on how the cargo was handled and secured.

Federal standards exist for a reason. The FMCSA sets specific requirements for cargo securement, weight distribution, and equipment use. When those rules are violated and a crash results, that violation becomes powerful evidence of negligence.

Call Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. at (412) 471-8500 — you don’t need to know who is at fault. That’s what we’re here for.

Your Right to Compensation

The damages in these cases can be significant. Pennsylvania law allows victims to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. When a carrier knowingly operated an overloaded truck or falsified loading records, punitive damages may also be on the table.

Large carriers send experienced defense teams quickly after an accident. Getting legal representation just as fast is critical.

What Are My Rights After an Improper Truck Loading Accident?

Pennsylvania law gives you the right to pursue compensation after an improper loading accident, but acting quickly is essential. Here’s what you need to know.

The filing deadline is firm.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. There are no exceptions — miss it and your case is closed permanently.

Several parties may owe you compensation

Improper loading accidents often involve the driver, the carrier, the freight broker, the loading company, and third-party contractors.

Shared fault won't necessarily sink your case

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102, you can still recover as long as your share of fault is below 51%. Defense attorneys will work to push that number up, having experienced counsel from the start keeps that from happening.

We know where and how to file

Pittsburgh-area claims typically go through Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Cases involving out-of-state carriers or federal claims may be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Our attorneys have handled cases in both for decades.

Federal FMCSA cargo securement standards, weight limits, and hazardous materials rules frequently come into play when the truck was operating interstate, and violations of those rules are often key to proving fault.

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

How We Fight For Your Improper Truck Loading Claim

When it comes to improper loading cases, the details matter. Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. has spent over 40 years building the kind of cases that get results for injury victims across Western Pennsylvania.

  • Step 1: Free Consultation – Start with a phone call to (412) 471-8500 or fill out our online contact form. We’ll review your situation, explain what your case may be worth, and outline your options, at no cost and no commitment required.
  • Step 2: We Lock Down the Evidence – Loading manifests, weight tickets, black box data, driver logs, and inspection records are what prove a loading case, and much of it can be discarded on a routine retention schedule before a claim is even filed. We move fast to place a legal hold before any of it disappears.
  • Step 3: We Build the Full Picture of Liability – Improper loading cases often involve a web of responsible parties: the carrier, the freight broker, the cargo loader, the shipping company, and loading dock operators. We investigate all of them, because every liable party is another source of potential recovery for you.
  • Step 4: We Handle the Insurance Companies – Don’t take calls from the carrier’s adjuster on your own. The moment you retain us, we take over all communications. Their goal is to pay as little as possible; ours is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
  • Step 5: We Push for the Best Outcome – Whether your case settles at the negotiating table or goes before a jury, we’re prepared for both. Our trial attorneys have the experience to see your case through to the finish.
  • Step 6: No Win, No Fee – Our firm works on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you.

ABOUT
Why Choose The Improper Truck Loading Attorneys at OMP

Improper loading cases are complex, multiple parties, overlapping regulations, and evidence that can vanish quickly.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we’ve spent over 40 years handling exactly these kinds of cases for injury victims across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. You’ll work one-on-one with an attorney who understands federal cargo securement rules, knows how local courts operate, and isn’t afraid to go up against large carriers and their insurance teams.

There’s no financial risk to getting started. We take improper loading cases on contingency, no upfront costs, and no legal fees unless we win. Call (412) 471-8500 or reach out online to schedule your free case evaluation.

I highly recommend Mike Murphy and John Perkosky. They kept us informed every step of the way and were incredibly caring throughout the entire process. They were always available to answer our questions, and I had complete confidence in their abilities. I am extremely grateful for everything they did. Mike and John fought hard to achieve the best possible outcome for our case.

– C. G.

Ben Gobel was extremely helpful with my case. He was thorough, transparent, and kept me informed throughout the process. I trusted him completely because he addressed my questions before I even had to ask. I was very pleased with the outcome of my settlement.

– J. B.

Best law firm anywhere. Professional, caring, thorough and will do everything they can to help you get you through a harrowing time. I can’t recommend them enough! You don’t want any other firm on your side.

– S. F.

First of all, I would like to thank the firm of OGG, Murphy & Perkosky for their great work and their commitment in helping me with my case and the way Mr. Gobel took his time walking me through the process and the details. I would recommend this firm to anyone who is looking for legal counsel.

– J. M.

Best law firm, ever! I cannot say enough great things about Jon Perkosky. He is very passionate about what he does, and is a fabulous attorney. He's the best! He will fight, and fight hard.

– B. P.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Improper Truck Loading Claims

Multiple parties may share liability depending on the facts. The truck driver, the trucking company, the freight broker, the company that loaded the cargo, and the loading dock operator are all potential defendants. Part of our investigation is identifying every party whose negligence contributed to your injury. More liable parties often means greater available insurance coverage.

In most cases, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524. There are limited exceptions, but waiting creates serious risks. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and missing the deadline can bar your claim entirely. Contact us as soon as possible.

This is one of the most important questions in these cases. Shippers, freight brokers, and third-party loading operations can each be held independently liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. Federal regulations place specific loading obligations on all of these parties. Identifying each one is part of what we do.

If you are able, call 911, get medical attention, and document the scene with photos. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company. Obtain the truck driver’s information, the carrier’s name, and the truck’s DOT number if possible. Then call us. You do not need to have everything sorted out before you call. That is what we are here for.

Key evidence includes the truck’s black box data, loading manifests, weight tickets, driver inspection reports, and photographs of the cargo and accident scene. This evidence can disappear quickly. An attorney should be contacted as soon as possible so that a legal hold can be placed on relevant records.

Nothing upfront. We handle improper truck loading 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 Improper Truck Loading Attorneys Today

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, cause a truck to become unstable, or spill onto the roadway and lead to a serious crash. Our attorneys can investigate loading procedures, cargo securement, weight distribution, and the actions of the trucking company or other parties involved to determine who may be responsible for your injuries.

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