Philly Has 4 of Pennsylvania’s 10 Deadliest Roads

March 11, 2019

Pennsylvania roads are dangerous, and with its large concentration of population, Philadelphia has the greatest number of crash-related deaths. In fact, according to PennDOT data on fatal car accidents, Philadelphia had more than a quarter of the road segments that were among the state’s most deadly from 2015-2017. During this period, Philly had 24 road segments with 155 total fatal collisions, leading to 167 deaths. This amounted to about a third of the segments with at least four deaths in the entire state.

According to AAA, the average cost of an injury crash in the United States in 2009 was more than $125,000, while the average cost of a fatal accident was closer to $6 million.  Add to this the devastating effect on people’s lives from serious injuries that can maim, disfigure, and cause pain and suffering that may last a lifetime, and it is no wonder that victims of car crashes seek compensation.

What are the deadliest roads?

It is not surprising that Philadelphia has four of Pennsylvania’s deadliest road segments, especially since heavily traveled and high speed I-95 runs along the city’s eastern border.  Here are the details:

1. The deadliest stretch in the entire state is along Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia’s Rhawnhurst neighborhood. This nearly 11-mile segment that passes the Northeast Philadelphia Airport had more fatal crashes (26), deaths (30), and alcohol-involved fatalities (7) than any other road.
2. The second deadliest stretch is the Delaware Expressway section of I-95. This 29-mile stretch had 16 crashes, with 16 fatalities, and three involved alcohol.
3. The sixth deadliest Philadelphia stretch is the Schuylkill Expressway. This five-mile area had 10 crashes, 12 fatalities, one of which was alcohol related.
4. The ninth deadliest stretch is along a seven-mile stretch of Broad Street, with eight crashes and nine fatalities, one from alcohol.

Areas along Lehigh and Bustleton Avenues also made the state’s most dangerous list.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Laws

Anyone involved in a crash should have an understanding of some of the laws regarding vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania:

• No-fault — Pennsylvania has a no-fault car insurance system, so anyone injured must first turn to their own car insurance company for compensation. However, purchasers of car insurance have the option of choosing between “full tort” and “limited tort” coverage. If your insurance is “limited tort,” you are prohibited from suing unless the accident resulted in “serious injury.” Those able to go beyond the no-fault limitation or who have “full tort” coverage can seek compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
• Statute of limitations – This is a time limit on your right to bring a lawsuit, after which the court will probably throw out your case unless there are rare extenuating circumstances. In Pennsylvania, the deadline is two years after the accident for filing a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. For an injury case, the clock starts running on the date of the accident. If a death is involved, this is figured from the date the victim died.
• Comparative fault — Pennsylvania has a “modified comparative fault” rule. This means your total damages award is reduced by whatever percentage of the fault of the accident the courts determine is yours. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot collect damages.
• Damage caps — State laws limit or “cap” the amount of compensation you can recover if the defendant is a local or state government entity, such as a school district.

What Does Compensation Cover?

In Pennsylvania, compensated costs and losses fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

1. Economic damages – expenses which can be objectively calculated, such as medical, therapy, and rehabilitation costs; costs of equipment, such as wheelchairs; lost income; property damage; and funeral and burial costs if a death is involved.
2. Non-economic damages – may include pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, and the loss of a marital relationship (consortium).

Contact Us for Help and Guidance

If you or a loved one is involved in a vehicle crash that was caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to seek damages in a lawsuit that will hold the responsible party accountable.  It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible, as evidence can disappear quickly and insurance companies will attempt to get you to accept the lowest settlement possible.

The seasoned and compassionate Pennsylvania personal attorneys at Wapner Newman offer a free consultation to examine the facts of any vehicle crash that caused damages. Our unique legal approach helps ensure that no stone is left unturned as we investigate and document every detail relating to your claim and do everything possible to get you the settlement you deserve.

Contact us online or call our offices today for your free consultation.