The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated every year on the third Sunday of November. In 2026, it falls on November 15. The day honors the people who died or were seriously hurt on the road and the families who live with that loss. As an Allentown car accident lawyer firm that also helps motorcycle, truck, and pedestrian crash victims, Rose Harper Law joins Pennsylvania families in remembering them. Our office is located in Allentown, and we represent injured people and grieving families across the state.
Behind every crash statistic is a person, and behind every person is a family. This day gives them space to be heard.
Key Takeaways:
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims falls on the third Sunday of November (November 15 in 2026), honoring both victims and the families left behind.
- The observance encourages using the word “crash” instead of “accident,” since most crashes are preventable, not random events.
- PA recorded 1,047 traffic deaths in 2025, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1928, yet still over a thousand families lost someone that year.
- After a fatal crash, Pennsylvania generally gives the estate’s personal representative two years to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of eligible family members.
- Rose Harper Law supports both crash survivors and grieving families across Pennsylvania, with bilingual representation for Hispanic and Latino clients.
What is it, and what is its purpose?
The World Day of Remembrance began with the British charity RoadPeace in 1993, and the United Nations endorsed it in 2005, according to the World Health Organization. Its purpose is to honor people killed on the world’s roads, support bereaved families and injured survivors, and push for action that saves lives.
In the United States, the observance is led by groups including Vision Zero Network, Families For Safe Streets, and the Road to Zero Coalition. Their national page shares survivor stories and encourages the media to say “crash” instead of “accident,” since most crashes are preventable. We follow that guidance here.
Statistics of accidents in Pennsylvania in 2026
Complete 2026 numbers are not available yet, because PennDOT publishes full-year data after the year ends. The most recent full year is 2025, and the news was mixed. According to reporting on PennDOT’s figures, Pennsylvania recorded 1,047 traffic deaths in 2025, the lowest total since record keeping began in 1928. That is 80 fewer than in 2024.
The state also saw about 109,500 reportable crashes and 979 fatal crashes in 2025. Impaired-driver deaths fell to 258, while distracted-driver deaths rose slightly to 54. Even a record low means more than a thousand families lost someone. Review the details in PennDOT’s Crash Facts and Statistics report. If you want to understand how crash risk changes by season, read our article on the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers.
What to do if you are involved in a fatal car accident?
If you survive a fatal crash, or you lose a loved one in one, these steps protect your health and your rights:
- Call 911 and get medical care, even if you feel fine.
- Cooperate with police, but do not guess about fault.
- Save evidence: photos, witness names, and the police report number.
- Notify your insurer, but avoid recorded statements before getting advice.
- Take care of yourself. Grief and trauma are real, and support is available.
- Speak with an attorney about your family’s options.
In Pennsylvania, a wrongful death claim is typically brought by the personal representative of the estate for the benefit of eligible family members. Pennsylvania generally gives you two years to file. If the other driver fled, see our guide on how long you have to report a hit and run.
Rose Harper Law helps victims across Pennsylvania
Personal injury is our exclusive focus. We help people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes, and we support families after the worst losses. We have obtained strong results for Pennsylvania clients, including $150,000, the full policy limit, for a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk, and $150,000 for a client in Easton with a serious back injury. Another client, an Uber passenger in Reading, received $100,000, also the full policy limit. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Rose Harper is a bilingual attorney who believes every injured person deserves a fighter, regardless of language, background, or immigration status. We proudly serve Hispanic and Latino families in Spanish, and you can learn more on our website. To see how claims are valued, read our guide to the average car accident settlement.
If you suffer an accident in Pennsylvania, you are not alone: call Rose Harper Law
Whether you are healing from a crash or grieving someone you lost, you do not have to face insurance companies by yourself. Consultations are free, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Call Rose Harper Law at 610-757-1603. Our office is located in Allentown, and we are ready to stand with you.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content or contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on the specific facts of each matter, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results vary. Our office is located in Allentown, and we proudly serve clients throughout the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania.
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