Dover, Delaware (Kent County) Auto Accident Injuries

DOVER, DELAWARE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS (302)736-5500

Last updated: February 13, 2023

Dover, Delaware car accident victims can seek financial compensation for auto injuries including pain and suffering. Medical bills, lost wages and incidental expenses (not paid via Personal Injury Protection benefits) may also be recovered. Delaware law tends to be pro-plaintiff in auto injury lawsuits.

Injured plaintiffs often receive full, fair compensation in Kent County, DE car accident cases. This applies to both Delaware residents and out of state residents, including those from Maryland, Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Dover Auto Accidents (Car, Truck and Pedestrian Accidents)

Dover is the second largest city in Delaware and also the state’s capital. The city is also home to the Dover Air Force base. Twice a year, Dover hosts NASCAR events at the Dover International Speedway (The Monster Mile) which attracts thousands of fans. With the extent of the activity, it’s no wonder that car accident injuries in Dover are very common.

Related: UIM & UM Claims in Delaware & Time Deadline to File (October 23, 2018)

Each year, there are hundreds of car accidents in the Dover area including car, truck and pedestrian accidents, and the total number has been increasing over the last few years. According to annual data provided by the Delaware State Police, Dover sees about 3 car accidents that result in personal injuries each day. See Delaware State Police 2019 Annual Traffic Statistical Data Report. 

Recent Dover Delaware Auto Accident Data

The most recent data available from the Delaware State Police (2019) reveals that over the past 5 to 6 years, the number of car accidents in Dover has continued to increase. In 2016, there were 1,000 car accidents in Dover (compared to 899 in 2015). By 2018 and 2019, that number increased to roughly 1,100 and 1,400, respectively.

[Note that 2020 data was released in April 2021. However, due to travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic, the most recent car accident data is significantly lower than expected.]

The top causes of car accidents in Dover, Delaware include:

• failure to yield the right of way,
• speeding,
• fatigue and distracted driving, and
• DUI (driving under the influence).

Speeding, distracted driving and DUI often result in intersection accidents and rear end accidents. When coupled with other conduct like distracted driving, speeding results in serious auto accidents and injuries.

For example, a driver in Dover is speeding and also talking on his cell phone. He fails to notice that the traffic signal ahead has turned red. As a result, he rear ends the car immediately in front of him at full speed. The driver of that car suffers serious injuries, including major spinal injuries.

During the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of auto accidents caused by distracted driving, or engaging in conduct which takes attention from the road. Cell phone use is not the only type of distracted driving. Drivers in Dover, Delaware are increasingly distracted by changing music, eating or even talking to a passenger.

Dover Car Accident Injuries

Roughly 40% of the total number of annual accidents in Dover results in personal injuries such as head injuries, spinal injuries and fractures. Each year in Dover, roughly 400 car crashes result in injuries. Also, there are about 3-4 fatalities each year.

Neighboring cities like Harrington and Milford have much lower rates of car accidents, injuries and fatalities. In Harrington, there are about 60 car accidents each year (70 in 2018 and 57 in 2019). In Milford, there are over 420 car accidents each year (430 in 2018 and 442 in 2019), and about 1-2 auto accident related deaths.

Legal Rights for Dover Car Accidents & Injuries

PIP Coverage for Medical Bills & Lost Wages

Dover, Delaware Capital Building

Under Delaware law, Delaware residents/drivers who are injured in auto accidents which occur in Dover, Delaware are eligible to make PIP (personal injury protection) claims.

Delaware law allows injured insured drivers to obtain coverage for medical bills and lost wages for injuries arising out of an accident which occurs in this state. These PIP claims are made with your own insurance company, not the insurance company of the at-fault driver.

Each insurance carrier and policy is different. Therefore, you should speak to a Dover auto injury lawyer to review your policy and understand the benefits available, notice requirements, etc.

More: Do’s & Don’ts When Making a Delaware Auto Insurance Claim

Compensation for Pain & Suffering After a Dover Car Accident

Dover drivers who are injured due to no fault of their own may file auto injury lawsuits against at-fault drivers. Claims may be made for pain and suffering, i.e., the physical pain and mental or emotional anguish caused by an accident and the resulting injuries. In addition, claims may be made for medical bills and lost wages not otherwise covered by PIP and out of pocket expenses.

About Our Dover Auto Injury Law Practice

Our lawyers focus on auto injury cases and have been handling car, truck and pedestrian accident cases in Dover for over 30 years. Contact our Dover auto injury law office for a free consultation in an auto injury case. (302) 736-5500

*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.