Multivehicle crash in Lehigh Valley on July 1 – Major Crash Shuts Down I-78, Causing Significant Delays in Lehigh County

On Monday, July 1, 2024, a multi-vehicle accident led to the closure of Interstate 78 East, causing substantial traffic delays near the Trexlertown exit in Upper Macungie, according to state police. The incident resulted in the shutdown of all lanes.

Details of the Lehigh Valley multi vehicle accident

The Lehigh Valley multi-vehicle crash occurred just before 8:30 a.m. between exit 29 in Pottsville at Route 61 North and exit 30 in Hamburg, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s traffic website. The closure has impacted traffic from exit 49A at Route 100 South in Trexlertown to exit 29 at Route 61 South in Reading. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville have redirected westbound traffic on Route 100 and Route 863, stated Nathan Branosky, the public information officer for the Troop M barracks.

Update on Cause of the Lehigh Valley Traffic Accident 

The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, according to authorities on Monday morning. However, an update has revealed that a passenger in an SUV sustained serious injuries in the three-vehicle crash, which forced the closure of a portion of Interstate 78 just west of the Lehigh Valley.

According to a news release from the Pennsylvania State Police, the incident occurred in a work zone near Hamburg, Berks County, approximately 15 miles west of the Lehigh County border. A westbound tractor-trailer collided with a center concrete barrier, dislodging sections of the barrier into the eastbound lanes. This barrier was then hit by an eastbound SUV and another eastbound commercial vehicle, causing the SUV to roll over and land on its roof in the westbound lanes. A passenger was ejected from the SUV and suffered significant injuries, requiring transport to a local hospital.

Parties involved in the accident were identified. The injured SUV passenger, along with another passenger and the vehicle’s driver, are all from Florida. The driver of the westbound tractor-trailer is from Herndon, PA, and the driver of the eastbound commercial vehicle is from Texas. The news release did not mention if there were additional injuries among the other individuals involved.

Lehigh Valley authorities reported that the westbound lanes of I-78 reopened around 3:30 p.m., followed by the eastbound lanes at approximately 4 p.m. Despite the reopenings, the closure caused significant traffic delays extending as far back as the Trexlertown exit in Lehigh County.

Lehigh Valley Road Accident Lawyer

Severe Consequences of Lehigh Valley Multi-Vehicle Crashes

Lehigh Valley multi-vehicle crashes can result in devastating consequences and severe injuries. Victims of such accidents often suffer from a range of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ injuries. Among those involved, passengers in smaller vehicles like cars and SUVs are particularly vulnerable. The impact of colliding with larger commercial vehicles often results in more serious injuries for these individuals compared to those in more robust, larger vehicles. The sheer size and weight of trucks and tractor-trailers mean that collisions with smaller passenger cars and SUVs often lead to catastrophic outcomes, with the occupants of the smaller vehicles facing the highest risk of severe injury or premature sudden death.

Expert Legal Assistance for Lehigh Valley Accident Victims

Our Lehigh Valley traffic accident lawyers are always ready to assist victims who have sustained injuries in truck, tractor-trailer, passenger car, and motorcycle accidents. With unique experience and expertise, our Lehigh Valley vehicle accident lawyers are equipped to investigate and gather crucial evidence, building a strong lawsuit by preserving indisputable evidence, witness testimonies, and police records. Establishing liability in accidents involving multiple vehicles and drivers is complex and challenging. That’s why having experienced Lehigh Valley road accident lawyers is essential for holding negligent parties accountable and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.

Our Lehigh Valley road accident lawyers at the Trapani Law Firm prioritize the comfort and convenience of our clients by being flexible with meeting locations. We can arrange to meet you wherever you feel most comfortable. We encourage you to contact us and schedule a free initial  meeting at a time and place that suits you best to discuss the details of your accident. Operating on a contingency fee basis, we require no upfront payment, making our services accessible to everyone. We believe deeply and honestly that all harmed parties deserve equal opportunities to seek justice. Our goal is to achieve favorable outcomes for you, whether you are an accident victim or have lost a loved one due to a preventable accident. Let us help hold the responsible parties accountable for your losses.

Last Updated on July 3, 2024

Matthew C. Trapani

The injury lawyers at the Trapani Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients injured in catastrophic car accidents and other personal injury accidents. Additionally, our personal injury law firm has handled wrongful death claims for families of victims killed or injured in tragic accidents. There is no cost to our clients until our experienced attorneys have won your case. The Trapani Law Firm would like our visitors to be aware that we obtain our information through secondary sources so it is entirely possible that our news blog posts may contain data that is not 100% accurate. If we have improper information posted on our blog please feel free to email us so we can make the necessary adjustments. Our law firm has posted this news blog for informative purposes, in order to help keep our local community safer. The Trapani Law Firm handles these types of injury cases, however whether or not attorney representation is needed is a very private decision that we honor. DISCLAIMER: The information above is not intended to express or constitute legal or medical advice.