I-95 Construction Increasing Vehicle Accidents in Wilmington

Traffic accidents are increasing in Wilmington. If you were hurt in a collision anywhere in Delaware, Silverman, McDonald & Friedman is here to help. Contact our accident attorneys in Wilmington, Newark, or Seaford to learn more.

Interstate 95 in Delaware is undergoing a major construction project called Restore the Corridor. The construction is expected to continue through 2022. The purpose of the infrastructure project is to fix pavements and bridges, and upgrade the ramps. The work on the project started in February 2021.

According to Channel 6 ABC, work crews have already observed an uptick in the number of accidents. C.R. McLeod, a representative of the Delaware Department of Transportation, stated that about half of these crashes is due to distracted driving and driving too closely.

The largest problem areas are the northbound lanes that approach Wilmington, where drivers in the right lane exit onto Martin Luther King Boulevard. McCleod hopes that the number of crashes will decrease as drivers familiarize themselves with the new construction. He says the corridor wasn’t known for numerous crashed prior to the start of construction.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is monitoring the traffic along the corridor. As an example of improvements, the DelDOT has changed some of the signage along the route, added some additional stripes on the roads, and is designing where traffic goes from two lanes to just one lane. An alternative to using I-95 is to drive along I-495.

The causes of distracted driving in construction zones

The most common causes of distracted driving in construction zones include:

• Rubbernecking at the construction site and workers
• Sound and light distraction (especially at night)
• Talking on a cellphone
• Texting while driving
• Eating or drinking
• Looking at a GPS
• Focusing on the people in the car instead of traffic
• Not paying attention to new signs and road directions

Driver distraction is a serious problem here in Delaware. So far in 2020, distracted driving has accounted for 11% of all traffic fatalities in the state, and “43% of distracted driving crashes resulted in injuries,” per Delaware.gov. Construction zones are especially risky places for driver distraction, not only because the commotion surrounding them can distract drivers, but because anything less than 100% focus in these areas can lead to a serious crash.

There’s no excuse for speeding, being distracted, or driving too closely. Drivers who are negligent deserve to be held accountable for the deaths and injuries they cause.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our premier Delaware car accident lawyers provide tough representation for car accident injury victims and the families of deceased victims. We work with you, the police, investigators, and witnesses to help prove how the accident happened. We demand compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and scarring and disfigurement. We file claims against all responsible parties. To discuss your car accident or wrongful death claim, call us at 302.888.2900 or fill out our contact form. We have offices in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford.