If you’ve ever driven Keyser Avenue in Scranton, you know exactly what kind of road it is.

One lane each way. No escape route. No passing lane. No relief valve.

Get stuck behind a slow moving tractor trailer doing 15 in a 35 and congratulations, that is your life now. Behind you, a mile long chain of frustrated drivers builds. Horns start blaring from a quarter mile back from people who have no idea why traffic has turned into a parade.

Then, just when traffic finally starts moving again, you hit another red light.

Keyser Avenue is not chaotic because of weaving traffic. It is dangerous because of bottleneck pressure. And when pressure builds, people make bad decisions.

At Pisanchyn Law Firm, we have seen how quickly that frustration turns into car crashes.

Why Keyser Avenue Creates So Many Accidents

The danger here is psychological as much as physical.

One Lane, No Way Out

There is no passing lane. If a tractor trailer is crawling, everyone crawls. That creates long lines of tightly packed vehicles. Tailgating becomes common. Drivers inch closer and closer, thinking they will somehow move faster by doing so. When traffic finally clears or a light turns green, some drivers accelerate aggressively just to “make up time.” That is when rear end car crashes happen.

Heavy Tractor Trailer Traffic

Keyser Avenue serves commercial and industrial areas. Large trucks use it constantly. Tractor trailers accelerate slowly and require long stopping distances. Passenger vehicles do not always respect that. A common scenario looks like this. Traffic starts moving after a light. A driver behind a truck is impatient and rides the bumper. The truck slows unexpectedly for another red light. The car behind cannot stop in time. Rear end collision. Now multiply that by ten cars in a chain reaction.

The Mile Long Frustration Effect

When traffic backs up for long stretches, tempers flare. Drivers start honking from far behind, even when the slowdown is completely outside anyone’s control. That emotional tension leads to risky behavior.

  • Sudden braking
  • Aggressive acceleration
  • Following too closely
  • Attempting unsafe turns at intersections

Road rage does not always mean two drivers screaming at each other. Sometimes it is just someone making a split second aggressive decision because they are fed up.

Red Lights Every Few Miles

Keyser Avenue does not give you momentum. Even when traffic clears, you often hit another red light shortly after. Drivers who are already frustrated try to beat yellow lights. Others slam on brakes at the last second. That combination is prime territory for T bone crashes at intersections and rear end impacts in traffic queues.

Common Types of Crashes on Keyser Avenue

Rear End Collisions

These are by far the most common.

Tight traffic lines plus impatience equals tailgating. One sudden stop triggers a chain reaction.

Even crashes at moderate speeds can cause serious whiplash, disc injuries, and chronic neck pain.

Multi Vehicle Chain Reactions

Because traffic stacks up for long distances, one collision can involve multiple vehicles.

If a truck brakes suddenly at a red light and the first car hits it, the next two or three cars may also collide.

Determining fault in multi vehicle crashes requires careful investigation.

Intersection T Bone Accidents

Drivers trying to make left turns onto or across Keyser Avenue sometimes misjudge traffic flow.

On a road where cars are tightly packed and frustration is high, reaction time shrinks.

Side impact crashes can lead to broken ribs, head injuries, and severe trauma.

Tractor Trailer Collisions

When a commercial truck is involved, the stakes increase dramatically.

The size difference alone makes injuries more serious. Truck cases also involve different insurance policies, possible company liability, and federal safety regulations.

Injuries We See After Keyser Avenue Accidents

Because traffic is often compressed, impacts may happen at lower speeds, but that does not mean minor injuries.

We commonly see:

Whiplash and soft tissue damage
Herniated discs
Concussions
Back injuries
Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries
Long term chronic pain

And when trucks are involved, injuries can be catastrophic.

What To Do If You Are In a Crash on Keyser Avenue

If it happens to you:

  • Call 911 and get police on scene
  • Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine
  • Take photos of vehicle positions and traffic conditions
  • Get contact information for witnesses
  • Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice

Insurance companies may argue you were following too closely or contributed to the crash. Evidence matters.

How Fault Works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows comparative negligence rules.

You can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible.

If your damages total 100,000 dollars and you are found 20 percent at fault, you could still recover 80,000 dollars.

Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame in rear end and multi vehicle crashes. A thorough investigation can protect you from unfair fault allocation.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Keyser Avenue accidents often involve:

  • Multiple vehicles
  • Commercial trucks
  • Conflicting witness statements
  • Disputes about who stopped suddenly

Without strong representation, you risk being blamed for a chain reaction you did not cause. At Pisanchyn Law Firm, we investigate thoroughly, gather traffic reports, secure available footage, and fight for full compensation for our clients. Because getting stuck behind a slow tractor trailer should cost you a few minutes, not your health or your financial stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most common type of accident on Keyser Avenue in Scranton?

Rear end collisions and multi vehicle chain reaction crashes are the most common due to heavy traffic and single lane congestion.

2. Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Under Pennsylvania comparative negligence law, you can recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible.

3. Are truck accidents handled differently?

Yes. Tractor trailer accidents may involve commercial insurance policies, company liability, and additional regulations.

4. What compensation can I recover after a crash?

You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, property damage, and pain and suffering.

5. Should I speak to the insurance adjuster before contacting a lawyer?

No. It is best to speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statements.