Pennsylvania Fatal Crash Statistics
The number of traffic fatalities decreased across the country including in our state. However, the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents across the country and in Pennsylvania and the number of bicyclists deaths remains a serious concern in all corners.
The number of people who died in motor vehicle crashes fell from 1,616 in 2005 to a ten-year low of 1,195 in 2014. Of those fatalities –
- 768 died in passenger vehicles
- 671 were in single-vehicle crashes
- 509 deaths involved at least one speeding driver
- 711 were killed in roadway departures
- 246 died in vehicle rollovers
- 162 fatal crashes involved one or more large trucks
- 257 involved intersection traffic
Of those who were killed in passenger vehicle accidents, 371 were not wearing their seatbelts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that seatbelts saved 381 lives and could have saved another 134 if all passengers would buckle up every time they drive.
Data shows that the efforts of law enforcement and drivers across the state have had a significant impact on the drunk driving rates. In fact, alcohol-related fatalities decreased from 526 in 2005 to 345 in 2014, the lowest rate for the period.
The state has a partial helmet law for motorcycles, as such, our fatal injury rates are much higher than states with a universal helmet law. About 185 motorcyclists died on our state highways in 2014. Unfortunately, 100 were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The NHTSA estimates that if all riders always wore their head gear and additional 39 lives could have been saved.
The number of young drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes dropped from a year high of 261 in 2005 to a low of 124 in 2014. Some of this decrease may be attributed to the adoption of the Graduated License Program, a three phase system that gives new driver’s increasing responsibility as they gain skills and experience.
Pennsylvania needs to do much more than they are too protect the most vulnerable roadway users; walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. Across the state, 161 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2014, failing from a ten-year high of 166, but increasing from 147 the prior year. During that same time frame, bicyclist deaths rose from an all-time low of 8 to 19.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!
Pennsylvania’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.