Motor vehicle accidents can occur anywhere, for many different reasons. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT), there were a total of 117,899 reportable vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania in 2021 that resulted in about 1,230 fatalities and 69,599 injured people. Overall, the total number of reportable accidents in 2021 was the second lowest ever, since the 113,748 accidents that were reported in 1950.
The following five Pennsylvania counties have the highest number reported traffic accidents:
- Allegheny: In Alleghany County in 2021, approximately 11,659 accidents made up 9.9% of total crashes reported in the state.
- Philadelphia: In Philadelphia County in 2021, approximately 10,417 accidents made up 8.8% of total crashes reported in the state that year.
- Montgomery: In Montgomery County in 2021, approximately 7,915 accidents made up 6.7 percent of total crashes reported in the state that year.
- Bucks: In Bucks County in 2021, 5,648 accidents made up 4.8% of total crashes reported in the state that year.
- Lancaster: In Lancaster County in 2021, approximately 5,625 accidents made up 4.8% of total crashes reported in the state that year.
It is also important to note that Alleghany, Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Bucks County were four of the five most populated counties in Pennsylvania in 2021.
Driver error contributed to majority of Pennsylvania accidents.
Negligent driving occurs when a driver fails to act responsibly by failing to follow traffic laws or failing to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. According to the 2021 data provided by Penn DOT, most car accidents involve some form of driver error. The data shows that the most common contributing factors include:
- Speeding.
- Impaired driving (driving under the influence of alcohol).
- Illegal passing.
- Improper turning.
- Distracted driving.
- Proceeding without clearance.
- Tailgating.
- Drowsy driving.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver in any Pennsylvania County, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries.