Very few events can disrupt your daily routine more than a collision; unfortunately, Delaware has seen its fair share of them. The state saw more than 100 car accident fatalities in 2023 from a variety of different causes—and in 2022, one person sustained a car accident injury every 67 minutes. To protect yourself and your family, you need to know what sort of accidents you should look out for and take steps to avoid.
Let our car accident attorneys at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC help: we know these roads, and we are committed to keeping you and your loved ones safe.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in Delaware?
Most drivers cause rear-end accidents when they engage in distracted driving, speeding, braking too late, or otherwise exercising poor driving habits and colliding with the car in front of them. Our attorneys have generally seen rear-end collisions happen at stoplights or in heavy traffic—and though you may not notice any injuries from them at first, the impact of rear-end accidents can cause invisible injuries like whiplash.
Why Are T-Bone Collisions So Dangerous?
T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact crashes, often occur at intersections—one car drives through the intersection, and another car from a perpendicular direction drives into the first, forming a “T” shape. Unlike with rear-end accidents, T-bone accidents can very easily cause serious accidents because the side of a car has less protection than the front or rear.
Exercise caution at intersections, even when you have the right of way, and check for speeding vehicles or drivers.
What Causes Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions usually happen when a driver veers into oncoming traffic—in our experience, this sort of collision usually occurs due to impaired or drowsy driving or inclement weather that limits visibility. The speed of the two cars at the time of the accident will likely determine the severity of any resulting injuries; our attorneys have helped head-on collision clients deal with the legal aftermath of traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries.
How Do Weather Conditions Contribute to Car Accidents in Delaware?
Delaware’s icy winters and wet summers can all create hazardous road conditions that contribute to car accidents: black ice, fog, and heavy rain limit drivers’ visibility or cause them to lose control over their vehicles. Many drivers get into accidents because they fail to adjust their speed or adapt their habits to the weather. Always increase your following distance in rain, fog, snow, and drive at a slower speed.
What Legal Steps Should You Take After a Delaware Car Accident?
Accidents happen to the best of us: if you get into a collision because of another driver’s negligence, call 911 to report the accident to the police and request medical assistance, even if you do not notice any injuries. Delaware law requires you to report the accident in the case of injury, death, or property damage above $2,000 in a collision that occurs on a public highway or a driver who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Take photos of the incident, any inclement weather conditions, and all injuries. Document your experiences on a voice memo or notepad, exchange contact information with the at-fault driver, and consider hiring a seasoned car accident attorney in the area to help you claim compensation for the accident.
Recover What You Deserve with the Delaware Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC
Trust the Delaware car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC for your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a car accident; they have an in-depth understanding of Delaware car accident law and can protect you from the tactics that insurance companies will use to reduce your payout. With us, you will have the confidence that an experienced team of lawyers will advocate for your rights and interests all the way through.
Call us at 302-888-1221, or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, Newark, and Middletown.