The summer months often mean family vacations for Pennsylvania residents. For some, this might mean loading up their vehicle, packing up their camping gear, hitching up a camper and hitting the road. Families frequent campgrounds during the warm months. Families will often attach a camper for long distances in order to camp at an ideal location, but that can create some risks and dangers. A trailer may not be properly hitched or maintained and could cause a trailer accident.
The Pennsylvania Sate Police was recently called to a fatal accident at the Tompkins Campground located at Cowanesque Lake. The accident involved a camper and a pedestrian woman at the campground and occurred in the morning hours. A couple at the campground was working on their camper after they discovered problems with the brakes. While attempting to fix the problem, the brakes subsequently dislodged and caused the camper to travel forward.
The camper traveled toward an elderly woman who was unable to get out of the way. The trailer struck her, and when emergency crews arrived at the scene, she was pronounced dead. The accident still remains under investigation and no citations or charges have been made at this time.
When a person suffers injuries or is killed in an accident and negligence or liability can be proven, compensation can be sought. In this case, the family of the deceased woman could file a wrongful death claim. This could help cover expenses such as funeral costs, damages and pain and suffering.
Accidents can happen anywhere and at anytime. They can involve small vehicles, large trucks and even campers. Drivers should be cautions and ensure vehicles and trailers are properly maintained and repaired. In addition, additional precautions should be taken when servicing vehicles.
Source: WENY HD News, “Tioga Co. Woman Killed in Camping Accident,” Renata Stiehl, June 17, 2013