No one is completely safe from the dangerous drivers on Pennsylvania’s roads. Distracted, intoxicated, fatigued and otherwise reckless drivers are on the streets every day, and they can take you by surprise in the blink of an eye. The results can be tragic, too, leaving you with what could prove to be long-term harm in the form of permanent disability, disfigurement, emotional turmoil and financial devastation.
A look at Pennsylvania’s most dangerous highways
Even though these dangerous drivers can be found just about anywhere, there are certain roads in Pennsylvania that have proven more hazardous than others. Let’s take a look at the most dangerous highways in our state, and you can let us know in the comments if you think there are other roads that should’ve made the list.
- Interstate 78: This Interstate has a lot of semi-truck traffic, which can pose a significant risk to other motorists given their sheer size and the devastation they can cause on the road. This stretch of Interstate also sees more than its fair share of construction, which can cause serious accidents when drivers are unprepared to slow down and stop when entering these zones.
- Interstate 83: This stretch of road runs between Mechanicsburg and Baltimore. Although much of it is in rural areas of the state, its proximity to metropolitan areas means that it’s often congested with traffic. Stop and go traffic can result in rear-end collisions, and a high density of traffic can make lane changes more treacherous. This Interstate is also subjected to a lot of construction, which can increase the risk of an accident.
- Interstate 80: The longest Interstate in the state, this east-west highway often possesses a lot of hazardous conditions. Poor road maintenance means that drivers often swerve to miss potholes and other hazards, which can cause a crash. This road is also subjected to poor weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain and fog, and drivers are often left with reduced visibility. All of these factors make this Interstate one of the most dangerous in Pennsylvania.
- Interstate 81: This north-south Interstate carries a lot of semi-truck traffic given that it runs from the Canadian border all the way to Tennessee. This, coupled with regular congestion in areas such as Cumberland County, can lead to dangerous situations where multi-vehicle accidents can occur.
- Interstate 95: Even though this Interstate only travels 14 miles in our state, it has proven to be one of the deadliest. In 2020 alone, this Interstate, in its entirety, saw nearly 400 fatalities. Several fatalities on this Interstate occur in the Philadelphia area, with the interchange between I-95 and I-76 posing major issues due to the amount of congestion that’s seen.
Remember, these are just some of the most dangerous roads in Pennsylvania. Do you think we’ve missed a road that you think is particularly hazardous? If so, let us know in the comments.
Have you or a loved one been injured on a dangerous Pennsylvania road?
If so, you might want to think about taking legal action. After all, this might be the only way for you to find accountability and recover the compensation that you need. If you’re successful on one of these claims, you might be able to offset losses such as medical expenses, lost wages and even your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
But these cases don’t automatically result in a financial reward. Instead, you’ll have to be prepared to argue for what you want. That might sound daunting, but you should take comfort knowing that skilled legal teams are ready to help you analyze your case, figure out how the law applies and advocate for the outcome that’s best for you.