Delaware Injury Law Blog

Recent statistics regarding traffic collisions in Delaware indicate that the number of these events, specifically those involving a fatality, are on the rise. Law enforcement has recently said that fatal car accidents across the state are increasing. While there are many reasons why car crashes happen, it is likely that distracted driving plays a significant role in this unfortunate trend.

Distracted driving is a significant safety threat for all motorists. It encompasses a number of dangerous behaviors, including looking at a cellphone, eating, talking to a passenger or inputting information into a GPS. Any time a person is looking at something other than the road or doing something other than focusing on the task at hand, it can increase the chance of a collision.

When a person is not paying attention to the road while he or she is behind the wheel, it can make it more likely that he or she will be in a car accident. The same principle applies to pedestrians who are distracted while walking. Any time a person is looking at a phone, that person will pay less attention to what is going on around him or her. In cases where a person is walking near moving vehicles while texting, it can make it more likely that auto accidents will occur. 

Estimates suggest that around 11,000 people suffered injuries in the years between 2000 and 2011 because they were texting while they were walking. People may think that since they are not behind the wheel of a moving vehicle that texting and walking isn't dangerous or risky, but statistics indicate that's not the case. Whether they are inside a car or out, people frequently overestimate their ability to multitask.

There are many things that can place Delaware employees at risk when they are at their place of work. Regardless of the specific type of job, having safety procedures and standards in place are crucial, and employers bear the responsibility of making these things a priority. An increased awareness of safety concerns can lower the chance of workers' compensation incidents.

It is a time of year when many different types of employers start looking forward to and preparing for the holiday season. Companies that see increased business during this time of year may want to think about ways they can reduce workplace injuries during this busy season. There is often an increase of certain types of injuries during the holiday season, especially those who have to deliver packages, lift heavy objects and engage in physical labor.

The choices that people make behind the wheel matter. If a Delaware driver is reckless or negligent, it can affect other people by causing accidents that may result in injuries or even death. Each person behind the wheel has an obligation to be vigilant and attentive, especially while they are driving through intersections. Drivers running through red lights is a common cause of auto accidents, and they are often fatal.

According to information released by AAA, there are more fatal accidents from running red lights than at any other time. In fact, the number of these incidents is up by almost 30% from just five years ago. In 2017, 939 people died in accidents caused by a person driving through a red light. These numbers suggest that drivers may be getting more reckless and more dangerous, and it may all be because of distraction.