Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-83 in York County Sends One to the Hospital

Emergency crews were called to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 83 in York County on November 20. According to news reports, the accident happened around 11:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes at Exit 40 in Fairfax Township. The car wreck had blocked multiple lanes of traffic on I-83 northbound. It was reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that there was a significant amount of fuel and liquids on the road that had to be cleaned up.

News reports state that one person was taken to the hospital following the crash. According to PennDOT, the person’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The Dangers of Hazardous Materials Spills

Hazardous materials spills during multi-vehicle accidents pose severe risks to public safety and the environment. When tanker trucks carrying chemicals, fuel, or other dangerous substances are involved in collisions, their cargo can leak onto roadways, creating immediate dangers of fire, explosion, or toxic exposure. First responders must approach such scenes with extreme caution, often requiring specialized hazmat teams to identify substances and implement appropriate containment procedures.

The environmental impact of these spills can persist long after the initial accident. Chemicals may seep into soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies and damaging ecosystems. Even small amounts of certain hazardous materials can affect wildlife and vegetation for years, while cleanup efforts can be extremely costly and time-consuming, sometimes requiring extensive soil remediation or groundwater treatment.

If you or a loved one were involved in multi-vehicle accident, follow these steps to protect yourself and anyone else in the vehicle:

• Turn off your engine immediately
• Check for injuries but stay in your vehicle unless you see or smell hazardous materials
• If evacuation is needed, move upwind and uphill at least 1/2 mile away
• Call 911 and report the crash and any placards/warning signs you see on involved vehicles
• Do not touch or walk through spilled materials
• If exposed to chemicals, seek immediate medical attention and try to identify the substance

Get a Free Car Accident Case Evaluation Today

Our car accident team at Munley Law has decades of experience specializing in multi-vehicle car crashes throughout Pennsylvania. We have won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our car accident clients. If you or a loved one have been involved in a multi-vehicle accident, we understand that everything can get overwhelming all at once. Call us for a free consultation to help guide you and find your grounding. There is no free consultation fee; if you decide to move forward, we will not get paid until you do.

Munley Law is ready to fight for you if a distracted driver has injured you or someone you know. Contact us 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 that take place 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.