Driver Ejected After High-Speed Crash

The attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman provide aggressive representation for victims of car accidents. An accident can change your life in an instant and we are here to protect your rights. We represent clients in the Newark, Seaford, and Wilmington areas. Please contact us for more information.

On Friday, January 12, an unidentified man in Ellendale was involved in a single-car accident after failing to navigate a curve at a high rate of speed and striking a utility pole. His car flipped and he was ejected from the vehicle, ending up in the hospital in critical condition. Authorities noted the man was not wearing a seatbelt. Delaware State Police continue to investigate, but high speed and alcohol are considered to be factors in the accident.

The importance of seatbelts

Although the investigation of this particular accident is not yet complete, the fact that the driver was completely ejected from his vehicle is worth noting. Police reported he was not wearing a seat belt, which could have prevented that ejection and the subsequent critical injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following facts about seat belt use:

• More than half of teens and adults killed in car accidents in 2015 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
• Men are less likely to wear seat belts than women.
•  In 2015, seat belts saved nearly 14,000 lives.
• Seat belts reduce serious accident-related injuries and fatalities by about half.
• In Delaware, all drivers and front seat passengers must wear seatbelts, as well as passengers 16 and older in all seats.
• Children must travel in approved child restraint systems or booster seats.

Seatbelt myths and facts

There are many inaccuracies floating around about seat belts and whether or not to wear them. The NHTSA puts those to rest.

• A seat belt can trap you if you’re underwater or in a fire. These types of accidents fall into a tiny minority of car wrecks. But you can’t escape a car if you’re unconscious, and your seat belt gives you the chance of remaining able-bodied in the event of an accident.
• Trucks and SUVs are safer, so I don’t need a seat belt. This is untrue. Seat belts reduce the risk of injury to drivers and passengers of SUVs and trucks by 60%.
• I’m not going that far, so I don’t really need a seat belt. Most accidents happen within 25 miles from home—and at speeds less than 40 mph.
• My car has air bags, so I don’t need my seat belt. Seat belts and air bags work best in tandem, not separately.

At Silverman, McDonald, & Friedman, our car accident lawyers in Wilmington, Seaford, and Newark work tirelessly to obtain compensation for  clients injured due to another driver’s negligence. We proudly serve personal injury clients from throughout the state of Delaware. Call 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form today.