A car accident can upend your life in an instant. Medical bills accumulate, vehicle repairs are costly, and time away from work creates financial pressure at exactly the moment you are trying to recover from your injuries. Insurance companies move quickly after a crash, and their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible before you fully understand what it is worth.
Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman P.C. represents injured drivers and passengers throughout Westmoreland County, fighting for the full compensation they deserve after a serious car accident. We handle the insurance companies, investigate the crash, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf so you can focus on healing. Call us at text_phone] to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Westmoreland County
Car accidents happen for a number of reasons, including things like:
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use, texting, and other inattentive behavior behind the wheel
- Speeding and aggressive driving on highways and rural roads
- Drunk or impaired driving, which remains a persistent cause of serious crashes throughout the region
- Failure to yield at intersections and stop signs
- Unsafe passing on two-lane roads
- Tailgating and failure to maintain adequate following distance
- Fatigued driving, particularly among commercial truck drivers on long hauls
- Poor vehicle maintenance, including brake failures and tire blowouts
- Adverse weather conditions including ice, fog, and heavy rain, combined with driver failure to adjust speed appropriately
Establishing the cause of your accident requires a thorough investigation conducted before critical evidence disappears. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman P.C.’s car accident attorneys move quickly to collect evidence, obtain police reports, and identify witnesses who can support your personal injury claim.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County's road network spans busy commercial corridors, interstate highways, and rural two-lane roads that present different but equally serious hazards for drivers. Several corridors have earned reputations as particularly dangerous stretches for accidents.
Route 30 (Lincoln Highway)
Route 30 runs east-west through the heart of Westmoreland County, passing through Greensburg, Latrobe, and Irwin. The combination of commercial development, frequent intersections, high traffic volume, and drivers entering and exiting businesses creates consistent crash risk along this corridor. Rear-end collisions and angle crashes at driveways and intersections are especially common.
Route 22
Route 22 carries significant traffic between Pittsburgh and points east, running through the northern portion of Westmoreland County. High speeds and limited access points create dangerous merging situations, and the corridor has seen numerous serious and fatal crashes over the years.
I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
The Pennsylvania Turnpike passes through the southern portion of Westmoreland County and is heavily used by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. High speeds, heavy freight traffic, and weather-related hazards in winter months make this corridor particularly dangerous. Multi-vehicle accidents and truck crashes involving serious injuries occur on this stretch with regularity.
Route 119
Route 119 connects Greensburg to Connellsville and runs through several communities in the southern part of the county. The road includes stretches with limited visibility, sharp curves, and intersections that have been the sites of repeated serious accidents.
Route 66 and Local Township Roads
Route 66 and the network of township roads connecting communities throughout the county present hazards that include narrow lanes, inadequate lighting, and road surfaces that deteriorate quickly in harsh winters. Accidents on these roads can be serious, and because they are less traveled, witnesses and immediate emergency response may be delayed.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Westmoreland County
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident can significantly affect your ability to recover full compensation. Follow these steps to protect both your health and your legal claim:
- Call 911 and make sure a police report is filed, even if the accident appears minor.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel seriously injured. Some injuries do not present symptoms right away.
- Document the scene by photographing all vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Collect the other driver's name, license plate, insurance information, and contact details.
- Gather contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident.
- Avoid discussing fault or making statements about the accident to anyone other than the police.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman P.C. at (412) 391-7610 as soon as possible.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Our firm represents injured victims in all types of car accident cases throughout Westmoreland County, including:
- Rear-end collisions caused by distracted or following drivers
- Head-on crashes, often involving wrong-way drivers or unsafe passing on two-lane roads
- Intersection and T-bone accidents resulting from red light violations or failure to yield
- Sideswipe accidents caused by unsafe lane changes or merging
- Multi-vehicle pileups on highways and interstates
- Drunk driving accidents involving impaired motorists
- Hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver fled the scene
- Accidents involving commercial trucks and tractor-trailers
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft drivers
- Single-vehicle accidents caused by road defects or hazardous conditions
Regardless of how your accident happened, our attorneys have the experience to investigate what occurred, identify who is responsible, and pursue the compensation you are owed.
Why Trust Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman P.C. After a Westmoreland County Crash
Our firm has built its reputation on standing firmly on the side of injured people throughout Westmoreland County and western Pennsylvania. We understand that hiring a lawyer after a car accident is a big decision, and we work hard to earn the trust our clients place in us. When you hire our personal injury firm, we can:
- Conduct an independent investigation of your accident and preserve critical evidence before it is lost.
- Identify every liable party and pursue all available sources of insurance coverage.
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters so you are not pressured into a low settlement.
- Work with medical professionals to fully document your injuries and their long-term impact.
- Calculate the complete value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement and take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to pay what you deserve.
- Keep you informed throughout the process so you always know where your case stands.
We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact a Westmoreland County Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a car accident in Westmoreland County, do not wait to get legal help. The sooner a car accident attorney gets involved, the stronger your case will be. Contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman P.C. today at (412) 391-7610 to schedule your free, confidential consultation today.
