Navigating the roads of any city can come with the risk of experiencing a car crash, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, is no exception. In fact, recent Scranton car accident statistics show that the city’s roads can be more dangerous than you might think.
While the metro area had fewer fatal crashes than expected in 2023, the city had more overall crashes than it should have based on its population. These accidents can lead to significant financial costs for crash victims. Worse yet, people injured in traffic collisions can suffer catastrophic injuries that produce long-term or permanent disabilities.
Fortunately, a Scranton car accident lawyer from Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC can fight insurers and at-fault drivers for compensation after a crash. Here’s what you need to know about car crashes in the area and how we can help if you suffer injuries in one. Contact us at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC Can Help After a Car Accident in Scranton, PA
For over two decades, Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC has represented injured clients in Scranton, PA, as they battled for financial compensation from those responsible for their injuries. Our attorneys use over a century of combined legal experience to stand up to insurers and at-fault parties on behalf of our clients.
When you suffer a serious injury in an incident caused by someone else’s culpable behavior, our attorneys can provide the following services:
- Evaluate your claims and explain your legal options
- Collect evidence and use it to file an insurance claim
- Work to settle your claim through negotiation
- File a lawsuit if negotiations fail
Your rights after a car accident in Pennsylvania depend on the type of insurance you have and the injuries you sustained. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Scranton personal injury lawyer to discuss how we can help you fight for injury compensation today.
Key Traffic Accident Statistics for Scranton
The City of Scranton provides ten years of detailed traffic crash data, covering the period from 2012 to 2021. While this data offers valuable insights into local crash trends, it is not the most current available. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania releases more recent traffic statistics, but those are limited to state and county-level data. However, since Scranton is the largest city in Lackawanna County, its crash trends often reflect broader countywide patterns.
During the 2012–2021 period, Scranton averaged just over 1,500 traffic accidents per year. The annual crash totals varied, ranging from a low of just over 1,200 crashes in 2020—likely due to pandemic-related traffic reductions—to a high of approximately 1,600 crashes in 2017.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data, Lackawanna County comprises 1.7% of the state’s population, but it accounted for:
- 2.1% of all traffic accidents statewide
- 2.1% of all injury-related crashes
- 1.6% of the state’s fatal crashes
This means the county experienced a disproportionately high number of crashes and injuries, but a lower-than-expected rate of fatal collisions based on population size.
Traffic-Related Injuries And Deaths
In 2021, Scranton had 900 traffic accidents that caused at least one injury or death.
This count included the following crash severities:
- 40 serious injury crashes that required ambulance transport for at least one victim
- 480 minor injury crashes where someone had a visible but non-incapacitating injury
- 154 possible injury crashes where someone suffered symptoms but had no visible injury
- 220 unknown injury crashes where an injury of unknown severity occurred
- 438 non-injury crashes
- 71 crashes where the outcome was unknown
These crashes resulted in six fatalities and 1,196 non-fatal injuries. The victims of these car accidents included three pedestrians who died and 86 pedestrians who suffered injuries. This means that every pedestrian accident in Scranton that year injured or killed a pedestrian.
Causes of Crashes in Scranton
According to the state’s statistics, the following behaviors led to most of the crashes in 2023:
Speeding
Speeding was, by far, the most common cause of crashes in Pennsylvania that year. Drivers who speed tend to be more likely to lose control of their vehicles, particularly on slick roads. They also have less time to react and stop safely when they encounter a hazard, such as a traffic jam.
Drunk Driving
Impaired drivers were the second-most common cause of fatal car accidents in 2023. Drugs and alcohol can affect a driver’s physical abilities, such as their reflexes and coordination. They can also impair a driver mentally, interfering with their ability to judge speed or distance and make sound decisions.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers caused over 9,000 crashes across the state in 2023. These crashes happened when a driver’s attempt to multitask interfered with their ability to see and react to other vehicles, signals, or other issues.
Contact Our Scranton Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Car accidents in Scranton can cause significant financial difficulties and serious injuries. Let our seasoned team advocate for your future. Contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC for a free consultation to learn how our experienced Scranton car accident attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you deserve today.
