Pennsylvania woman killed in 2-car accident

According to police, a Lancaster woman was killed in a two-car collision that took place on the night of March 13 in East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County. The accident took place about 8:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of Old Philadelphia Pike near Chateau Hill.

A driver reportedly crossed into the path of a 1978 Chevrolet Caprice after hitting the right curb at the intersection and struck the vehicle almost head-on. The Caprice"s driver was taken to Lancaster General Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police say that a passenger in the Caprice suffered severe injuries and was transported to the hospital where he was listed in serious condition.

The driver of the car that struck the Caprice suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the same hospital for treatment. At the time of the report, law enforcement officers were continuing to investigate the accident and sought information from the public.

It may be several weeks before investigators complete the accident investigation and report. Law enforcement officials may perform an accident reconstruction for accidents involving fatalities and critical injuries. The reconstruction might answer questions such as whether speed or alcohol were factors in the accident. In addition, the reconstruction may help officials determine whether a particular area of the road or intersection may be dangerous or has contributed to an accident.

The family of an accident victim seek compensation from an at-fault driver. The state or county might also be requested to pay compensation if the accident was at least partially caused by unsafe road conditions. A personal injury lawyer might interpret an accident report and determine the family’s eligibility for filing a claim according to Pennsylvania statutes. Additionally, the lawyer may work with the at-fault driver"s insurance company to negotiate an acceptable settlement. If the insurer will not pay a fair settlement or denies the plaintiff"s claim, the lawyer might file a request for a trial in civil court.

Source: ABC 27-WHTM, "Woman dies after 2-car crash in East Lampeter," Myles Snyder, March 14, 2014