A woman was thrown from her vehicle in an accident that occurred on a Lackawanna County road last Monday. The three-car crash happened at around 8 a.m. on Marshwood Road in Jefferson Township.
Chief Jerry Tully of the Olyphant Fire Department reported that a woman in a white car was ejected out the side window of the vehicle in the collision with a gold Jeep and an unidentified third car. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of severe injuries. The drivers of the other two vehicles were also taken to a hospital.
First responders reported that Marshwood Road is dangerous even without slippery road conditions. State Police were unclear if the weather that day played a role in the accident.
Winter weather conditions create hazards on the road
A driver’s response time and ability to maneuver effectively are hampered by hazardous weather conditions, particularly in the winter months. Snow, sleet, icy roads and high winds can cause reduced traction and visibility impairment, also affecting vehicle performance.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that 21% of all accidents that occur annually are caused by adverse weather conditions, resulting in almost 5,000 fatalities. Wet pavement is responsible for 70% of these accidents, and 18% happen with road conditions involving snow and sleet.
On the highway, heavy rain can slow average speeds down by up to 16%, while snow can reduce speeds by as much as 40%. Wind speed can affect vehicle performance and stability, and driving on steep mountain roads becomes dangerous with fog or where the road is not graded properly.
What to do if you are in an accident
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, which means that regardless of who is at fault in a collision, the injured party cannot pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party. For this reason, all drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP). Drivers can opt out of the no-fault laws, however, if they have a full-tort policy.
Fortunately, there are experienced personal injury attorneys in the Scranton area who not only know how to work with insurance companies, but will fight to make sure that those who have been injured in a car crash can receive the maximum compensation they deserve.