Blair County, PA (November 28, 2025) – Emergency crews responded to a massive multi-vehicle pileup that occurred on Friday on Route 22 near the Blair and Cambria County line.
The Altoona Fire Department called the incident a “mass accident,” warning drivers to avoid the area after the crash, which involved an estimated 20 or more cars. The collision occurred in the westbound lane between the Gallitzin and Summit exits.
Emergency services at the scene confirmed that hazardous weather conditions, including snow squalls, were a factor in the incident, which closed the westbound lanes for several hours. The complexity and scale of the pileup suggest multiple injuries and significant property damage.
Understanding Liability in a 20-Car Pileup in Pennsylvania
A mass accident involving 20 or more vehicles creates an extremely complicated legal scenario in Pennsylvania. While weather conditions were hazardous, state law requires drivers to adjust their speed and following distance to the conditions, meaning drivers who failed to do so may be found negligent under the Assured Clear Distance Ahead Rule.
In such a large pileup, modified comparative negligence is critical. Multiple drivers are often found to share liability, and investigators must determine the percentage of fault for each driver. A driver can recover compensation for their injuries and property damage as long as they are found 50% or less at fault. If a driver is found 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery.
Victims injured in the middle of the pileup may file a claim against all drivers whose negligence contributed to the chain reaction. Successfully navigating a mass accident claim requires a thorough investigation to gather evidence, including police reports, dashcam footage, and black box data from any commercial trucks involved, to correctly establish the chain of liability.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. If you or a family member were hurt in this Route 22 mass accident, our Pennsylvania multi-vehicle crash lawyer is here to help you every step of the way. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.
