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Over 70 motor vehicles were involved in a Pennsylvania crash due to inclement weather.

Pennsylvania – March 13, 2022

Snow and freezing road conditions on Saturday caused more than 70 vehicles to be involved in a roadway crash in Pennsylvania. According to law enforcement at the scene, at least 73 vehicles were involved in the massive crash in Cumberland County with reports of multiple non-life-threatening injuries.  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that all lanes on I-581 Eastbound between Exit 3 and 6B were closed due to a multi-vehicle crash.  When extensive property damage and injury result from multi-vehicle collisions, experienced Pennsylvania accident attorneys can assist with building a case after reviewing the extent of damages caused between the vehicles driven by the accident victims. The scene included dozens of vehicles stopped along the interstate, many with their hazard lights flashing as their operators stepped out to inspect the damage, including a AAA tow truck and at least one semi-truck.  In the case of a multi-vehicle wreck with drivers from different states, multiple attorneys will have to work with insurance companies and research case specifics to place a value on the loss occurred because of catastrophic injury, or extensive property damage claims for each accident victim.

Vicarious liability.

Pennsylvania has commercial trucking laws in place to protect the public and drivers of commercial trucks from causing accidents on the highways.  Vicariously liability is the legal doctrine that assigns liability for an injury to a person who did not cause the injury, but who had a particular legal relationship to the negligent entity.  Talk to a truck accident lawyer about the impacts of vicarious liability on a lawsuit if any damages were caused by a commercial truck.

Injury types.

Insurance companies recognize certain types of injuries in accident claims as catastrophic when they cause lasting damage to a person’s life, or are above a certain financial threshold. often limiting the ability: to work and secure wages, to assist with home and family, and to pay for measurable expenses related to medical treatment and renovations to living space to account for life changes. They may include invisible injury to the spinal cord, the brain, the limbs, or internal organs.

Insurance matters. 

An accident attorney can explain Pennsylvania’s  “modified comparative negligence” rule, where an individual can still recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit, but Pennsylvania negligence laws stipulate that damages are proportionate to the claimant’s degree of fault. An accident victim can only seek damages from the truck driver if they are less than 51 percent at fault. Full and limited tort are options that individuals can choose under their auto insurance policies in accordance with Pennsylvania motor vehicle financial responsibility laws. Personal injury legal action should be initiated within the two year statute of limitations in Pennsylvania.

Seek legal counsel.

Contact an experienced accident attorney for a consultation, as they can research specific case facts and interpret accident reports, and utilize state, and federal law to support a case’s best outcome toward the compensation of damages.  Scanlon & Wojton will fight for comprehensive damage awards for wrongful death claims, or catastrophic injury damages after a multi-vehicle crash.

Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law

The Mitchell Building
304 Ross Street, Suite 510
Pittsburgh, Pa 15219

Phone:  (412) 918-1241

Fax: (412) 235-7275

Sources.

  1. https://people.com/human-interest/over-70-cars-involved-in-pile-up-on-snowy-pennsylvania-interstate-following-flash-freeze/
  2. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.085.053.000..HTM
  3. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM
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