Addressing Delaware’s Car Crash and Highway Accident Epidemic

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we fight for the injured and their families. If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a collision, we are here to help. Contact our Delaware car accident lawyers in Newark, Seaford, or Wilmington today.

Even as the second smallest state in the country, Delaware saw 133 deaths stemming from 123 auto accidents in 2019. That’s a lot of twisted metal and too many heartbroken families for an area with less than one million citizens. Getting the causes of these accidents under control is so important to the Delaware State Police that they’ve implemented several traffic enforcement campaigns to prevent anyone else from suffering the same fate.

Some of these measures include an uptick in police presence for campaigns such as:

• Pedestrian Safety Enforcement
• Drive to Zero Enforcement
• Drive to Save Lives initiative

While these initiatives help, law enforcement cannot be everywhere at every moment, so drivers still need to take responsibility behind their own wheel and by reporting unsafe drivers when you witness behavior like erratic speed or repeated swerving between lanes.

What are the common causes of auto crashes?

Like every state, Delaware has its share of highway dangers it would like to rid itself of. The primary causes for our motor vehicle crashes include:

• Driver inattention. This can be related back to an internal response to something that draws the mind elsewhere, such as an argument with a spouse or concern that surfaced at work. It could be related to daydreaming, or “highway hypnosis,” a condition where a driver suddenly realizes he or she is much farther along on a road than seems “right,” given what he or she remembers.
• Distraction. This would be anything external that takes attention away from the roadway. Putting on makeup, eating, texting, or reaching for something are all actions of distraction. Engaging in these activities while driving is a conscious choice.
• Fatigue. Certain medications, lack of sleep, and pressure to stay on the road despite being tired all lead to driver fatigue. Sleep directly affects brain function and causes drowsy driving.
• Following too closely. Delaware Code § 4123(a) states that “The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” In other words, drivers are expected to use good judgment, which can change based on the circumstances each time they’re on the road. Tailgating is especially dangerous when a driver is fatigued, and on high-speed highways and interstates, where there may not be enough room to avoid a crash.
• Failing to yield right of way. Ignorance of the law does not excuse one from breaking it, and failing to properly yield – on a ramp, while changing lanes, or at an intersection – can lead to serious injuries from a resulting crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a reckless driver, seek the caring legal guidance of personal injury attorneys Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. We know what you need to put your life back on track after a violent vehicle collision. To schedule your free case evaluation in our Wilmington, Seaford, or Newark, DE office, call 302-888-2900, or reach out to us through our contact page.