12-Year-Old Dies in Car Crash in Pike County, PA
A 12-year-old has died following a car crash that also sent two others to the hospital in Pike County on December 15. According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers were called to a one-vehicle crash on Silver Lake Road in Porter Township around 8 p.m. News reports state the vehicle had exited the roadway and struck a tree. The 12-year-old girl, who was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a front seat passenger also suffered injuries and were taken to Lehigh Valley-Pocono.
It is unknown what caused the accident. Police are currently investigating the crash.
What to Do If You Lose Control of Your Vehicle
Understanding vehicle control loss is important for every driver’s safety. Road conditions are the primary factor that can cause a driver to lose control. When roads become wet or icy, tire traction decreases significantly, creating hazardous driving conditions. Black ice poses an especially serious threat since drivers often cannot see it until the car begins to slide.
Mechanical failures such as tire blowouts or brake system problems can also cause loss of control. Even routine driving actions can lead to control issues – taking curves at excessive speeds, making sudden lane changes, or having to swerve quickly to avoid obstacles. Weather conditions like strong winds, heavy rain, or snowfall can further complicate driving and reduce vehicle stability.
If you do lose control, remaining calm is essential. Your first action should be to slowly remove both feet from the accelerator and brake pedals, as any abrupt movements will likely worsen the situation. Focus your attention on steering in your intended direction of travel. During a skid, turn your steering wheel in the same direction the vehicle is skidding.
Braking requires careful attention in these situations. Rather than forcefully applying the brakes, which can increase your loss of control, use gentle pumping motions if your vehicle lacks anti-lock brakes (ABS). For vehicles equipped with ABS, maintain steady brake pressure. Allow your speed to decrease naturally by releasing the accelerator, and try to guide your vehicle toward open areas away from traffic and obstacles.
In wet conditions where hydroplaning occurs, maintain a gentle grip on the steering wheel while gradually reducing speed until your tires regain contact with the road surface. Similar principles apply when driving on snow or ice – all movements should be smooth and deliberate. If you leave the roadway, attempt to direct your vehicle toward areas that will minimize damage, such as open fields, rather than solid objects like trees.
After regaining control, activate your hazard lights and safely move to the roadside when possible. Take time to recover your composure before resuming your journey, and evaluate whether your vehicle requires inspection before continuing.
If you get into a car accident with another driver who lost control of their vehicle, a Scranton car accident lawyer can help. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
Posted in Pennsylvania Accident News Blog.