Wrong-Way Car Crash Leaves Multiple Injured in Cumberland County, PA
Multiple people were injured following a wrong-way crash along U.S. Route 15 in Cumberland County on January 18.
According to news reports, the accident occurred around 4:40 p.m. on the northbound side of the road. According to the Upper Allen Township Police Department, the vehicle had entered the northbound lanes near mile marker 41.5 and traveled south for at least four miles before the crash.
Police say the wrong-way driver struck at least four other vehicles around mile marker 37. As emergency personnel responded to the scene, both north and southbound sides of Route 15 were shut down.
Multiple people suffered serious injuries in the accident. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, one person was flown to Penn State Hershey.
Police are investigating the crash.
Wrong Way Car Accidents in Pennsylvania
Wrong-way driving accidents represent some of the most dangerous accidents in Pennsylvania. Research indicates that wrong-way crashes in Pennsylvania usually happen during the nighttime hours and often involve impaired drivers. The fatality rate for these accidents is significantly higher than other types of car crashes because they typically result in a head-on collision at a high rate of speed. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an average of 500 deaths occurred annually from wrong-way driving accidents on divided highways between 2015 and 2018, a 34% increase from 2010 to 2014. Unfortunately, these numbers may be higher since it is difficult to collect data as drivers may self-correct before a crash occurs.
If you were injured by a wrong-way driver in Pennsylvania, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the wrong-way driver. Since wrong-way driving is typically considered reckless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Beyond suing the driver, you might have claims against other parties. For example, if poor highway design or inadequate signage contributed to the wrong-way entry, you may have a case against PennDOT or other government entities responsible for road maintenance and safety. However, claims against government entities have special requirements and shorter deadlines – typically just 6 months to file notice of your intent to sue.
If the wrong-way driver was working at the time (like a delivery driver or trucker), you could potentially sue their employer under vicarious liability. Similarly, if they were driving someone else’s car, you might have a claim against the vehicle owner under Pennsylvania’s vehicle owner liability laws.
Pennsylvania’s serious injury threshold allows you to pursue full compensation outside the no-fault system since wrong-way accidents typically result in serious injuries. This means you can seek compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which aren’t available in standard no-fault claims.
Given the complexity of these cases, working with a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer is essential. They can help investigate additional sources of compensation, like dram shop claims if the driver was served alcohol while visibly intoxicated before the accident. They can also ensure all deadlines are met and proper evidence is preserved to support your case.
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.
