Pittsburgh Courthouse Guide for Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury lawsuits in Pittsburgh are filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania venue rules (Pa.R.C.P. 1006) generally allow you to file in the county where the accident occurred or where the defendant resides. Since most Pittsburgh accidents occur in Allegheny County, this is typically the correct venue.

The Allegheny County Courthouse is located at 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The Department of Court Records — Civil/Family Division is on the first floor. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (412) 350-5400.

If your accident occurred outside Allegheny County, you may need to file in a different county. Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas in Greensburg handles cases from the eastern suburbs. Washington County and Butler County courts handle cases from their respective jurisdictions. Check your police report to confirm the jurisdiction where the accident occurred.

Pennsylvania's Court of Common Pleas is a trial court of general jurisdiction — it handles all civil cases, from personal injury to contract disputes. For personal injury cases, you file in the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas.

To file a personal injury lawsuit, you must prepare a complaint that sets out the facts of the accident, identifies each defendant, states the legal basis for liability, and describes the injuries and damages you are claiming. Pennsylvania follows notice pleading under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, meaning your complaint must contain a concise statement of facts sufficient to put the defendant on notice of your claim.

E-filing is available for civil cases in Allegheny County through the Pennsylvania Courts Electronic Filing System (PACFile). Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file court documents electronically through pacfile.mdjs.pa.gov. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also file in person at the Department of Court Records at 414 Grant Street.

After filing, the court assigns a case number and issues a writ of summons or you proceed with service of the complaint. You must serve each defendant. Service can be made by the sheriff or a competent adult who is not a party to the action (Pa.R.C.P. 400). The defendant has 20 days after service to file a responsive pleading (Pa.R.C.P. 1026).

For questions about filing procedures, contact the Allegheny County Department of Court Records at (412) 350-5400. The Allegheny County Courts website at alleghenycourts.us provides court rules, forms, and legal resources.

Filing fees for civil actions in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas vary by case type. Contact the Department of Court Records — Civil/Family Division at (412) 350-5400 for the exact current filing fee before you file. The current fee schedule is available on the Allegheny County website at alleghenycounty.us. The office accepts payment in person and through the electronic filing system.

Small claims filing fees in Pennsylvania's Magisterial District Courts are lower than Court of Common Pleas fees. The Magisterial District Court handles claims of $12,000 or less. Contact the appropriate Magisterial District Court for current small claims filing fees.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, Pennsylvania allows you to file a petition to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). You must submit a sworn affidavit demonstrating your inability to pay (Pa.R.C.P. 240), and the court may waive the filing fee. Beyond the filing fee, expect additional costs: service of process fees, deposition transcript fees, and expert witness fees. Most personal injury attorneys in Pittsburgh work on contingency — they advance these costs and recover them from your settlement or verdict.

Pennsylvania's small claims procedure handles civil disputes where the amount in controversy is $12,000 or less. Small claims cases are heard in Magisterial District Courts (formerly known as district justice courts). Allegheny County has multiple Magisterial District Courts spread across the county.

Small claims court (Magisterial District Court) is faster and more informal. Hearings are typically scheduled within 30 to 60 days, the rules of evidence are relaxed, and you do not need an attorney. However, the small claims process has limitations — discovery is limited, and either party can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas for a trial de novo (a completely new trial). For claims above $12,000, you file in the Court of Common Pleas.

Most personal injury cases involving significant medical treatment will exceed the $12,000 small claims threshold. If your damages are modest — for example, a minor fender bender with a single urgent care visit and no ongoing treatment — Magisterial District Court is a cost-effective option with lower filing fees and faster resolution. For any claim with substantial medical bills, lost wages, or long-term treatment, the Court of Common Pleas is the appropriate venue.

Pennsylvania offers free online case search through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by case number, party name, or docket number to find filing dates, hearing schedules, docket entries, and court orders for Allegheny County cases.

For Allegheny County specifically, the Department of Court Records also provides online access through dcr.alleghenycounty.us. You can search civil case records, view docket sheets, and access court filings. The Allegheny County Courts website at alleghenycourts.us provides additional information about court schedules and procedures.

These systems show the full docket for your case: every filing, hearing date, and court order. For personal injury cases, this is useful for tracking deadlines, monitoring motions filed by the opposing party, and confirming hearing dates. If you cannot find your case online, contact the Department of Court Records at (412) 350-5400 for assistance.

When you arrive at the Allegheny County Courthouse at 414 Grant Street, expect security screening — empty your pockets, remove belts, and send bags through the X-ray machine. Cell phones are allowed but must be silenced in courtrooms. No weapons are permitted in the courthouse.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing. Check the court calendar on alleghenycourts.us or the posted dockets in the courthouse to confirm your courtroom assignment. Dress professionally — business casual at minimum. Address the judge as 'Your Honor.' If you are self-represented, the judge may explain basic procedures, but you are expected to follow the same rules as attorneys.

The Allegheny County Courthouse is located in downtown Pittsburgh near the intersection of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue. Metered street parking is limited. Paid parking garages are located on Grant Street, Smithfield Street, and throughout the downtown area. The courthouse is accessible via Port Authority of Allegheny County buses and the T (light rail), with the Steel Plaza station located nearby.

Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). This means you must file your lawsuit within 24 months of the accident. If you miss this deadline, your case is permanently barred, with very limited exceptions such as the discovery rule for latent injuries or tolling for minors.

For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also 2 years from the date of death (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2)). Property damage claims have a 2-year statute of limitations as well. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state — drivers can choose full tort or limited tort coverage on their auto insurance policy, which affects their right to sue for non-economic damages (pain and suffering) after a car accident.

Pennsylvania's modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102) adds another layer of complexity. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $70,000. Because these rules directly affect your recovery, consult an attorney as soon as possible after an accident in Pittsburgh. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, so there is no cost to you for an initial evaluation.

If you were injured in Pittsburgh and you are considering filing a lawsuit, take our free Injury Claim Check. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Pennsylvania's filing deadline for your specific claim, whether your case would likely go through Magisterial District Court or the Court of Common Pleas, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Filing a lawsuit is a big step — but understanding your options should not be. Our Injury Claim Check is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what comes next.