Crashes involving cars and horse-drawn buggies often result in severe or life-threatening injuries. Buggy occupants have little to no protection, and the massive size and weight difference between a motor vehicle and a lightweight buggy can result in devastating forces on impact.
On January 14, 2026, a serious crash in Fairview Township, Pennsylvania, sent 10 people to the hospital after a vehicle struck a horse-drawn Amish buggy carrying nine people, including eight children. The horse pulling the buggy was critically injured and was euthanized at the scene.
How Did the Crash Occur?
Pennsylvania State Police told WFMJ 21 News that the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on State Route 19 near Fairview Road in Fairview Township. The State Police said a vehicle with only the driver inside collided head-on with a horse-drawn buggy carrying nine occupants. Troopers reported that eight children were inside the buggy, ranging in age from three months to 14 years old.
All 10 people involved were transported to the hospital. Troopers indicated there were serious injuries, though the number and severity of those injuries had not yet been confirmed. The three-month-old child was also reportedly trapped beneath the buggy. Attempts to transport the infant to the hospital by helicopter were unsuccessful. Fox8 noted that the baby was taken to a Pittsburgh-area hospital with serious injuries and that the 10 people involved were taken to four different hospitals.
The horse pulling the buggy was critically injured and had to be put down on the scene.
Who May Be Responsible?
Liability in buggy crashes often depends on the cause of impact and whether the vehicle driver failed to use reasonable care. Investigators may look at whether the driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, or following too closely, as well as whether visibility and roadway conditions played a role. Though buggies move slower than traffic, drivers are still expected to slow down, maintain a safe distance, and pass carefully when it is safe to do so.
Investigators may also evaluate whether the buggy was properly marked and visible. Pennsylvania law requires horse-drawn vehicles to use safety features like a slow-moving vehicle emblem and appropriate lighting/reflectors in low-visibility conditions.
If the investigation shows the car driver’s negligence contributed to the collision, the injured victims may have personal injury claims to recover compensation for medical expenses, long-term care needs, and pain and suffering. In serious cases involving children, damages may also include future medical costs and the lasting impact of traumatic injuries.
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Why Buggy and Livestock-Related Crashes Are So Dangerous
Horse-drawn buggies offer almost no structural protection in a crash, and the impact forces can be severe even at lower speeds. When a buggy gets hit, occupants can be thrown or pinned, and injuries may include head trauma, broken bones, internal injuries, and life-threatening complications, especially for infants and young children.
These incidents can also happen quickly on rural roads where lighting is limited, and drivers may not expect to encounter slow-moving buggies.
In rural areas of Pennsylvania, where Amish buggies regularly share the road with faster-moving traffic, a moment of driver inattention or impatience can quickly turn into a catastrophic and irreversible tragedy.
Vehicle-Buggy Collision Cases Can Be Complex
Vehicle-buggy crash cases can be complex because buggies move slower than traffic and offer almost no protection. Investigators must closely examine visibility, speed, and whether the driver had enough time to react.
These cases can also involve disputed right-of-way issues, questions about buggy lighting/reflectors and roadway positioning, and multiple injured passengers with significant damages and insurance complications.
Get Help After a Serious Buggy or Livestock-Related Crash
Crashes involving vehicles and horse-drawn buggies can cause life-changing injuries and overwhelming costs for families. If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision involving a buggy, livestock, or other vulnerable roadway users, it’s important to understand your legal options.
Silva Injury Law is here to help injury victims pursue accountability and compensation. Contact our team today for a free consultation.
Well Wishes to the Injured Parties
Our thoughts are with everyone injured in this crash. We hope each victim, especially the children, receives the care and support needed for a full recovery.
