Philadelphia, PA – Woman Dies After Tree Falls on Car

PHILADELPHIA, PA (February 17, 2025) – A woman was killed after a tree fell on top of a car in Northeast Pennsylvania on February 16.

According to news reports, Philadelphia emergency personnel responded to the 500 block of West Hill Creek Road around 6:15 p.m. When they arrived, they found a woman inside a car that a large tree had crushed.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.

Investigators have not yet determined if the woman, the only person inside the vehicle, was the owner of the vehicle.

The accident occurred during a high wind warning that was in effect for Philadelphia.

Weather-Related Car Accidents in Philadelphia

High wind-related car accidents in Pennsylvania present unique challenges from a personal injury perspective. Strong winds, particularly on Pennsylvania’s highways and bridges, can create dangerous driving conditions that lead to serious accidents. These conditions become especially hazardous for high-profile vehicles like trucks, buses, and vans.

From a liability standpoint, wind-related accidents often involve complex questions of responsibility. While the wind itself is an act of nature, various parties may still bear liability. For instance, trucking companies have a duty to consider weather conditions and may be liable if they require drivers to operate in unsafe wind conditions. Similarly, drivers who fail to take appropriate precautions during high winds may be found negligent.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules apply in these cases. If a driver is found to be speeding or following too closely during high winds, their compensation could be reduced based on their percentage of fault. However, they can still recover damages as long as they’re less than 51% responsible for the accident.

For bridges and highways managed by PennDOT or local authorities, there might also be questions about whether appropriate warnings were posted or whether high-profile vehicles should have been restricted during dangerous conditions. However, government entities often have certain immunities that can limit their liability.

Insurance claims for wind-related accidents can be particularly complex because insurers may try to classify them as “acts of God.” This makes thorough documentation of all factors contributing to the accident especially important for establishing liability.

If you were involved in a car accident involving high winds, it best to speak with an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer to learn what you should next. Contact Munley Law for 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.

Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.