Snow and Frigid Temperatures Cause Dangerous Road Conditions in Pennsylvania

Snowy road conditions have already caused hundreds of accidents in Pennsylvania this winter, shutting down highways and resulting in deaths and many injuries. During a sudden heavy storm over the recent holidays, a chain reaction crash involving 35 vehicles closed down a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several tractor-trailers were mixed in the wreckage, which caused a 4-mile traffic jam. Ten people were taken to area hospitals.

According to a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer, those same wintry conditions existed when more than 40 vehicles piled up in multiple crashes on I-78, closing the interstate for a time, and resulting in more than 60 injuries. State Police also reported that sudden snow squalls causing numerous accidents resulted in the Northeast Extension of the turnpike being closed on Christmas Eve from Clarks Summit to Allentown. Numerous accidents have also been reported on smaller roadways throughout Pennsylvania.

Advice from Pennsylvania personal injury attorney Julia Munley on what to do if you are in an accident. We suggest you:

• Remain calm and remain in your vehicle (unless it’s too dangerous to do so)
• Turn on your hazard lights
• Call 911 even if your accident seems minor
• Seek medical attention for any injured drivers or passengers
• Unless necessary, do not move the vehicles until the police arrive
• Never leave the scene of the accident
• Write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of all parties involved, including any witnesses
• Make sure you write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers that are investigating the accident
• Photograph the vehicles and any injuries sustained by you or your passengers
• Do not admit fault
• Immediately notify your own insurance company of the accident. Do not discuss the accident with anyone except the police or your own insurance agent or representative; you are not required to give a statement to anyone but the police and your insurance company