Clarks Summit Man Dies in Car Accident in Wayne County, PA

A 69-year-old Clarks Summit man lost his life on Oct. 18 in a violent car crash on Owego Turnpike after swerving to avoid a vehicle making a left turn. News reports stated the driver died hours after the crash, which occurred shortly before 3 p.m. in Wayne County’s Cherry Ridge Township.

According to state police at Honesdale, Palmieri swerved his vehicle into the westbound lane to prevent rear-ending the turning car ahead of him, leading to a head-on collision with an oncoming Buick. The occupants of the Buick sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized.

The driver was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries hours after the crash.

Understanding Left-Turn Car Accident Statistics and Risks

Although this accident was not a direct result of someone making a left turn, it does remind our Scranton personal injury lawyers of how deadly these types of car crashes may be to the public. Left-turn car accidents represent a significant portion of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 22% of all crashes involve left turns, and these accidents account for nearly 61% of all intersection crashes. The inherent risk of left turns stems from multiple factors, including impaired visibility, misjudgment of oncoming traffic speed, and the complexity of crossing opposing traffic lanes.

These types of accidents often result in more severe injuries due to their tendency to cause head-on or T-bone collisions. Studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) indicate that left-turn accidents are three times more likely to result in a fatal crash compared to right turns. Contributing factors often include:

• Limited visibility due to opposing traffic
• Misjudgment of approaching vehicle speeds
• Pressure from the following traffic
• Complex decision-making required at intersections
• Multiple lanes of traffic to monitor

Before you pass a turning vehicle, is always best to remember to keep alert of any dangers that may be around you. Slow down and don’t follow a turning car so closely. If you believe you may cause an accident, immediately apply your brakes firmly and try to steer to an open space if possible.

Note: This post was created using outside sources about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. Munley Law has not independently verified all facts surrounding this accident. If you locate inaccurate information related to this post, please get in touch with us immediately so we can correct it. We will remove a post if requested. Please note that this post is not intended as a solicitation for legal representation. None of the information herein should be interpreted as medical or legal advice.