How Often Does Someone Die in a Pennsylvania Car Accident?
March 25, 2026 | Car Accidents
In 2024, Pennsylvania saw 1,127 deaths resulting from car accidents. Many of these accidents result from someone else’s negligence, and the at-fault drivers can be held accountable.
If you have lost a loved one in a Pennsylvania car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation through a wrongful death case. Keep reading to learn more about fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania.
What Causes Most Fatal Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Most fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania are caused by human error, and many could have been avoided. Often, these accidents result from one driver’s negligence or carelessness.
Some of the most common causes of deadly car crashes are:
- Drug and alcohol use
- Speeding
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Failure to use seat belts
- Poor weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Equipment failure or malfunction
- Some combination of the causes above
In Pennsylvania, at-fault drivers can often be held accountable for the damages and injuries they cause. When a crash results in a fatality, these damages can be extensive.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Fatal Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
After the loss of a loved one in a car accident, you may be wondering who can be held accountable. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Depending on the type of insurance your loved one had, you may need to turn to their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for compensation.
However, the at-fault driver can often be held responsible for an accident. Doing so requires proving their negligence.
This means you must show evidence of:
- Duty of care: The other driver had a legal duty to operate their vehicle in a safe and responsible manner.
- Breach of duty: You must be able to prove that the at-fault driver breached their duty by driving in a manner that put others in danger.
- Causation: Your loved one’s death was the direct result of the other driver’s conduct.
- Damages: The economic and intangible consequences of the accident, such as funeral and burial expenses, as well as your emotional suffering and trauma.
If you can prove all four of these elements, you have a high likelihood of being successful with your wrongful death claim.
What Types of Damages Are Available After Fatal Car Accidents?
The loss of a loved one is difficult, and money can never undo the damage that was done. However, financial compensation is the method our civil court system uses to make a victim’s family whole again. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
This means that you can recover compensation for your financial losses as well as your emotional trauma.
Some common examples of damages available after these devastating accidents are:
- Cost of attempted life-saving medical treatment
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Future lost wages and benefits
- Loss of love and support
- Depression and anxiety
- PTSD
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Loss of consortium
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you identify all the damages that may be available in your case. The intangible losses associated with these cases often have a substantial financial value, so make sure that you get help from a lawyer who can maximize your financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Deadly Car Crash in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law typically allows family members two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit for damages. Missing this deadline can completely bar you from recovering any compensation.
Since there are some special rules that shorten or extend the deadline, you should always contact an experienced lawyer for help right away.
Contact Our Lancaster Car Accident Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been in a car crash, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Call the team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates today for a free consultation with one of our Lancaster car accident lawyers. Let us help ensure that you do not miss your chance to hold the responsible party accountable for your loss.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Harrisburg
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640
Marzzacco Niven & Associates York
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Wyomissing
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Chambersburg
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carlisle
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Carbondale
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lancaster
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Lebanon
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963