Auto accidents in Delaware have increased on a steady incline for the last 5 years, 2009 through 2013. Such accidents include car, truck and pedestrian accidents, as well as bicycle accidents.
In 2009, there were about 19,000 car related accidents, and in 2013 there were just under 22,500 accidents. This makes sense given that the number of vehicles registered in the state of Delaware has also increased. In 2011, there were just over 820,000 vehicles registered in this state, and by 2013 that number jumped to 848,000. In addition, drivers from other states are on Delaware’s road and highways, such as Interstate 95. Drivers from neighboring Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey are often traveling into and through Delaware, whether for work or vacation.
Related: 2014 Fatal Car Accidents in Delaware (As of April 14, 2014)
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Delaware
The main causes of car accidents in Delaware include:
- inattention, distraction or fatigue,
- careless, reckless, and aggressive driving,
- failure to yield the right of way, and
- following too closely.
In addition, each year there are thousands of car accidents, the causes for which are unknown.
Causes of Car Accidents in Delaware (2009-2013 Data)
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
| Inattention, distraction, or fatigue |
4987 |
4792 |
4927 |
4870 |
5057 |
| Careless, reckless or aggressive driving |
1912 |
2085 |
1858 |
2101 |
2481 |
| Failed to yield right of way |
1886 |
1835 |
1886 |
1759 |
1892 |
| Followed too closely |
2067 |
1984 |
2107 |
2352 |
2568 |
| Other, unknown |
2097 |
3924 |
3931 |
4252 |
4201 |
| Total accidents per the DE State Police & DelDOT |
18,927 |
20,697 |
20,872 |
21,202 |
22,453 |
Sources: Delaware State Police Statistical Reports 2009-2013; Delaware Department of Transportation Fact Books 2009-2011
Inattention, Distraction and Fatigue – The Top Cause of Car Accidents in Delaware
As a group, driver inattention, distraction and fatigue have caused nearly 25,000 auto accidents over the last 5 years, many of which have resulted in serious injuries and in many cases, fatalities. Cell phone use is a major type of distraction, and such accidents are on the rise, despite Delaware’s hands-free law. Many drivers in Delaware are using cell phones to talk, text or respond to emails, at great risk to themselves and others.
Fatigue is also a major problem. People who fall asleep at the wheel often drift into other lanes, causing major collisions. For instance, a commercial truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel on I-95 in Wilmington can cause a multiple car collision within seconds. The tractor-trailer truck can drift into an adjacent lane, striking another vehicle and sending it into another car. At high speeds, the results are often disastrous.
Related: Pro-Plaintiff Car Accident Laws in Delaware
Preventing Car Accidents in Delaware
Preventing car accidents in Delaware is as simple as removing distractions like cell phones and practicing safe, defensive driving.
- Turn off your cell phone.
- Keep eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel at all times.
- If tired, pull over.
About Knepper & Stratton
The lawyers at Knepper & Stratton handle a variety of cases including auto accidents and employment matters. If you’d like to speak to one of our lawyers, please call (302) 658-1717.
*Disclaimer: This website page does not provide any legal advice or create any attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in Delaware. Any discussion of results is no guarantee of the same or similar results in current or future cases.
*Use of the contact form on this website or emailing one of our lawyers does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.
