Highway crashes in York, PA, typically occur at higher speeds than those on surface streets and parking lots. As a result, they can lead to serious injuries and damage. If you were involved in this type of accident, Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to help you make the most of your claim for compensation.
Our York highway crash lawyers have already recovered tens of millions of dollars for our deserving clients. Now, we are here to get to work for you. Call at (717) 995-8998 or reach out online today to set up a free initial consultation.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Highway Crash in York, PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has successfully represented injury victims throughout Pennsylvania since the day we were founded. Our car accident law firm in York, PA has over 120 years of combined legal experience and understand the intricacies of state law, including how its unique “choice no-fault” insurance system works. We’ll do everything in our power to maximize the compensation you recover.
When you suffer an injury in a highway accident caused by another driver’s actions, we can provide the following services:
- Reviewing your accident and explaining your legal options
- Gathering medical files, accident reports, and other evidence and filing an insurance claim
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurer to settle your case
- Filing a lawsuit against the other driver if their insurer doesn’t pay your claim
Highway accidents often involve serious or fatal injuries due to the speeds involved. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule a free consultation with a trusted highway crash lawyer in York, Pennsylvania.
Are Highways More Dangerous?
By some measures, highways are more dangerous than local roads. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s car accident statistics for 2023, collisions occurred in the following locations:
- 9,492 accidents on interstate highways
- 71,162 accidents on state highways
- 2,312 accidents on turnpikes
- 27,409 accidents on local roads
The volume of crashes on interstates, state highways, and turnpikes far exceeds the number of crashes on surface streets. However, these numbers are slightly misleading because highways see more usage than local roads. For example, heavy trucks traveling through the state might only travel a few miles on local roads and spend the rest of their trips on highways.
When the state normalized crashes according to miles traveled, it calculated the following crash rates:
- 0.51 crashes per million vehicle miles (MVM) on interstates
- 1.35 crashes per MVM on state highways
- 0.38 crashes per MVM on turnpikes
- 1.64 crashes per MVM on local roads
According to these numbers, the likelihood of crashing on local roads is slightly higher than crashing on highways.
Finally, the state calculated the fatal accident rate as follows:
- 0.57 fatalities per 100 MVM on interstates
- 1.68 fatalities per 100 MVM on state highways
- 0.26 fatalities per 100 MVM on turnpikes
- 1.21 fatalities per 100 MVM on surface roads
These statistics reveal that state highways are the deadliest roads in Pennsylvania, while interstates and turnpikes are the least deadly.
How Highway Crashes Occur in York, Pennsylvania
Highway crashes can result from many factors, including poor surface conditions, limited visibility, and vehicle failures. However, most traffic accidents occur due to driving errors. The following common driver behaviors can result in a highway crash:
Speeding
Highway crashes often cause more serious injuries because of the high speeds involved. Nationwide, roughly 29% of traffic deaths in 2022 involved speeding. This is unsurprising when you consider that speeding collisions present more force and can therefore produce more severe injuries.
Speeding deprives drivers of precious maneuvering time in hazardous situations. For example, a driver traveling 70 miles per hour on a state highway would only have a few seconds to slow down when a car merges in front of them.
Distracted Driving
Distractions like texting, talking on the phone, and eating force drivers to divide their attention. As a result, they might fail to spot traffic hazards, such as slowing traffic, or have time to react to them.
Distracted driving crashes are more probable at higher speeds. A driver traveling at 45 miles per hour covers 66 feet every second. If you turn your head to talk to a passenger in the backseat, you might cover 100 feet without watching the road.
Injuries From Highway Accidents
The energy involved in a collision depends on the vehicles’ speeds. Energy increases exponentially, so increasing your speed by five miles per hour increases your kinetic energy by 25 times.
When you get into a collision at highway speeds, some energy is dissipated when the metal and plastic in your vehicle become crushed. However, the remaining energy can easily tear soft tissues and break bones. The twisting and bending of your body in a high-speed collision can also rattle your brain, causing a concussion.
Contact Our York Highway Crash Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Highway collisions can cause serious injuries and potential long-term health complications. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free consultation to discuss your crash and your options for seeking compensation from the at-fault driver under Pennsylvania law. Our York highway crash attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully handle your case.