Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers
Fighting for people injured in car accidents in Wilmington
Whether you’re driving I-40, one of Delaware’s state roads, or any road that runs through Wilmington, a car accident can happen in an instant. Most car accidents are caused by a driver who was speeding, driving recklessly, or intoxicated. Some accidents happen because a manufacturer designed a defective car part. All you know is that you’re in incredible pain and worried about how you will pay for your medical bills and your daily living expenses. You need a Wilmington car accident lawyer.
Rest assured that our Wilmington auto accident attorneys understand how anxious you are about your future. Our lawyers have more than 100 years of experience fighting for accident victims. We have a strong track record of success settling Wilmington car accident claims and trying car accident cases in court. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our Wilmington, Delaware personal injury lawyers work aggressively to investigate how the accident happened and determine who should be held liable.
Quick Questions
- Why choose Silverman, McDonald & Friedman for your car accident lawsuit?
- What kinds of car crashes do your Wilmington personal injury lawyers handle?
- What types of injuries do Wilmington car accident victims suffer?
- Common causes of Wilmington, DE car accidents
- Who is liable for a car accident in Wilmington?
- What steps should you take if you are in a car accident?
- How much is my car accident case worth?
Why choose Silverman, McDonald & Friedman for your car accident lawsuit?
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our firm’s focus is on representing personal injury victims and their families. Our Wilmington auto accident lawyers are skilled at filing lawsuits against drivers, car owners, and anyone else who might be responsible for your accident. We investigate the accident site, examine the vehicles that were damaged, speak with witnesses, review the police reports, and thoroughly question everyone who knows about the car accident.
Our car accident lawyers work with family doctors, orthopedists, surgeons, pain management doctors, and other specialists. We also work with your therapists including physical, vocational, and occupational therapists. This work includes confirming your medical diagnosis, the treatments you need and may need for the rest of your life, and all the ways your injuries affect your ability to work and your ability to function.
We explain that you have the right to be compensated for all the care you need to function and enjoy life – in the same way that you did before the car accident. You also have the right to compensation for all your physical pain and emotional suffering.
We understand when and how to negotiate with insurance companies. Our Wilmington car accident lawyers understand the strategies that insurance companies use to try to defeat your claim. Our team calmly guides you through every step of the litigation process and we answer all the questions you have about your claim.
What kinds of car crashes do your Wilmington personal injury lawyers handle?
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our car accident lawyers handle every type of car accident. We represent clients in Delaware state and federal courts. We work with investigators, product safety experts, and traffic reconstruction experts – when necessary – to help hold all responsible parties liable for your injuries or the death of a loved once. We handle the complex cases other firms may not be able to handle, including accidents involving:
- Head-on collisions. These accidents usually occur because a driver is going the wrong way because of intoxication, driver distraction, or because the driver missed a turn.
- Broadside (T-bone) collisions. These deadly crashes often happen at intersections. The driver whose front is damaged is usually the responsible driver.
- Rear-end collisions. These crashes usually occur because the driver in the rear was distracted or speeding.
- Sideswipes. These car accidents often occur when cars are passing or merging.
- Multi-car collisions. These Wilmington car accidents are usually due to a chain reaction or attempts to avoid another accident.
- Hit-and-runs. Any driver who strikes another car must stop and render assistance if someone is hurt, or there is any damage to the vehicles involved in the crash.
- Rear-end crashes. Drivers who are speeding or distracted are likely to strike a car that is stopped at an intersection or stop sign. Whiplash is a common rear-end injury.
Our Wilmington car accident lawyers also represent anyone who is injured in a single-car accident due to a defective car part.
What types of injuries do Wilmington car accident victims suffer?
Car accidents can lead to severe injuries, which can create a significant financial burden on the victim and his or her family. While broken bones or lacerations may heal with time, other types of injuries can have long-term ramifications – chronic pain, the inability to work, mobility issues, etc. Some of the serious injuries that are common to car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Limb loss
- Burn injures
- Broken bones
- Muscle, ligament, and nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Heart attacks
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological injuries
Our lawyers handle every type of injury including catastrophic injuries that require a lifetime of care, permanent injuries that often prevent victims from ever working again, and injuries that do heal with time and proper medical care. We also represent spouses, parents, and children when a loved one tragically dies in a Wilmington car accident.
Common causes of Wilmington, DE car accidents
Drivers have a duty to drive carefully and follow the rules of the road. When they behave negligently or recklessly, they put themselves and others in harm’s way. When another driver is negligent, you may be entitled to damages through a claim or lawsuit. Common examples of driver negligence include:
- Driver distraction. Drivers need to have their eyes on the road, their hands on the steering wheel, and their mind on traffic. Some of the reasons driver distraction occurs include talking on or using a smartphone, eating, drinking, and talking with other passengers.
- Drunk driving. Drivers who drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more can be charged with a DUI. Drunk driving is a leading cause of fatal and serious car accidents nationwide.
- Speeding and other traffic violations. Drivers who speed, run red lights, fail to yield, or violate other traffic laws cause numerous accidents because they can’t control their vehicles or respond to emergencies.
- Driver fatigue. Tired drivers need to get off the road as quickly as possible. Drinking coffee and keeping the windows open is not a solution, Tired drivers are deadly drivers.
- Driving too fast in bad weather. Drivers need to be prepared for sun, snow, rain, ice, fog, and other dangerous weather conditions.
Of course, not all car accidents are the result of “bad” drivers. Road defects, faulty car parts, unsafe work zones, and even wildlife may play a role in a collision.
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Who is liable for a car accident in Wilmington?
Our Wilmington car accident lawyers file claims against all responsible parties. Often, more than just the driver is responsible. Possible defendants in a Wilmington car crash case include:
- The driver
- The owners of the vehicle if different than the driver
- The manufacturer of any defective car parts such as the brakes, fuel line, airbags, or steering wheel
- The Delaware Department of Transportation and any other responsible governmental entities
Other defendants may also be liable.
Car insurance requirements for Wilmington drivers
In most cases, the car accident victim’s damages are paid by an insurance company. In Delaware, car owners are required to have the following minimum liability insurance:
- Bodily injury coverage for one victim. $25,000
- Bodily injury coverage for multiple victims (one accident). $50,000
- Property damage. $25,000
Car owners are also required to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance in the following minimum amounts:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 per occurrence
- $5,000 in funeral costs
Here’s what you need to know. The minimum insurance requirements are not enough. Just one night in a hospital being treated for a catastrophic injury can cost well over $50,000. Many new cars cost much more than $25,000, which means your insurance won’t be enough to pay for your property damage.
Car owners should buy as much liability and PIP insurance as they can afford. They should also buy uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage in case the responsible driver does not have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to pay all your damages.
What steps should you take if you are in a car accident?
A few of the key steps drivers and victims need to take after a car accident are:
- Contact the police.
- Exchange contact information and insurance information.
- Go to an emergency room if you are injured. The police may arrange for transportation.
- Take pictures of the accident site, the vehicles, and yourself with your smartphone.
- Call our seasoned Wilmington car accident lawyers. This is critical to the success of your case. We’ll work aggressively to examine the evidence and explain your rights.
Our personal injury lawyers will guide you through each phase of the car accident claim process.
How much is my car accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on the following factors, among others:
- Your medical bills. These expenses include the ER visit, surgeries, doctor visits, therapy, assistive devices, and medications – for as long as you need medical care for your injuries.
- Your lost income. This sum includes lost wages, lost profits, and lost benefits. Income includes future income loss if you cannot work due to a disability.
- Pain and suffering. You hurt every day until you fully heal, or for the rest of your life if you never fully heal. You worry about your health, your ability to work, your family, and the type of life you’ll lead. You’re entitled to claim damages for these hurts and worries.
- Property damage. You can claim damages for the cost to fix your car, and if your car is totaled, to replace your car.
- Scarring and disfigurement. Burn victims, amputees, and anyone who suffers visible scars can claim additional compensation.
Your spouse can claim loss of consortium. You may be entitled to punitive damages for inexcusable conduct. If a loved one died, we file a wrongful death and survival claim on behalf of the family members.
Do you have a Wilmington car accident lawyer near me?
Silverman, McDonald & Friedman maintains three offices throughout Delaware. Our office in Wilmington is located at 1523 Concord Pike, Suite 400. If you are too injured to travel to us, we will come to you.
Strong advocacy from our Wilmington car accident attorneys
It’s critical that you choose experienced lawyers after a car accident. Many lawyers will try to obtain a quick settlement. You need Wilmington car accident lawyers who have decades of experience, and who are willing to try your case in court if the insurance companies are unreasonable. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, representing injury victims is our primary practice area. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a Wilmington car accident, please call 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle Wilmington car accident claims on a contingency fee basis.
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