Scranton, PA – Five Women Killed in Truck Collision on I-81
Scranton, PA (January 17, 2024) – Five women from New York state were struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania after they had pulled over their vehicles following another crash, according to the local coroner.
Some of the victims were in a minivan heading north on Interstate 81 when, at about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, the car lost control and collided with a median barrier in Scott Township, according to Lackawanna County Coroner Timothy Rowland. Four people got out of the van as well as a person who had been following them in a separate car, police said. All five women were then struck and killed by a tractor-trailer that was heading north on the interstate, Rowland said. More information was not immediately available, though the Pennsylvania State Police is investigating.
We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims.
Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to thousands of vehicle accidents annually, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities for many drivers. Like residents of many other states, Pennsylvanians may be particularly concerned about the dangers and risks of truck accidents occurring, especially when it comes to traversing the multi-lane roadways and heavily trafficked interstates that span our state. Of course, Pennsylvania sees a lot of truck traffic because of the state’s vast system of roads and interstates.
Moreover, accidents involving large vehicles are very likely to be catastrophic and even deadly due to their size and weight. Throughout the United States, 166,833 truck accidents took place in 2022 alone. Deaths occurred in around 4,678 of them. And though Florida, Texas, and California were the top states for these accidents, Pennsylvania wasn’t far behind.
In fact, there were around 10,000 to 12,000 truck accidents in Pennsylvania in 2022, meaning that our state ranked fourth for the occurrence of these serious semi-truck collisions. Approximately 250 to 300 people lost their lives in these incidents, and more than 4,000 to 5,000 were injured. That said, those interested in filing claims against the insurance company of an at-fault truck driver in a Pennsylvania truck accident may face an uphill battle. In other words, victims are not dealing with their average motorist in these claims. Unfortunately, all too many insurance firms are solely interested in limiting their financial exposure and maximizing their earnings. Additionally, the trucking corporations victims are typically up against are usually well-funded, with an army of lawyers fighting for their interests.
For these reasons and more, following a vehicle accident caused by another party’s negligence, victims can and should take legal action with the help of a skilled attorney. It is crucial for accident victims to reach out to a Scranton truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At Edelstein Martin & Nelson, our attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and strive to provide our clients with the best possible legal representation. We have helped numerous individuals obtain justice and compensation for their injuries and damages caused by car accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, do not hesitate to contact our Pennsylvania personal injury law firm by calling (215) 731-9900 for a free case evaluation. Let us help you take back control of your life today.
