Delaware Injury Law Blog

Whether you live here in Delaware or somewhere else in the country, you know that texting while driving increases the potential for accidents, but the problem is actually much worse than that. If you text while behind the wheel, you increase your risk of crashing by 23 times.

Even though the general consensus is that texting and driving is dangerous, many people continue to do it, even those who say it's dangerous. Knowing more about the problem could deter more drivers from doing it. Teenagers are particularly at risk due to the combination of distraction and inexperience behind the wheel.

Even the most experienced of drivers will make mistakes from time to time, and sometimes, those mistakes can lead to accidents. In addition to simple driver error, other reasons for auto accidents include distracted driving, speeding, recklessness and drunk driving. While auto makers cannot control the behavior of drivers, they are working to implement technology in newer vehicles that can help Delaware drivers stay safe. 

Through various types of driver alert systems, car manufacturers are making vehicles with the capability of altering drivers when there is a potential hazard. Some of these systems include things like backup cameras, crash avoidance alerts and notifications when there is something in the blind spot that the driver may not see. There is evidence that these things have been successful in reducing accidents. 

While car accidents can happen during any time of year, they are especially prevalent during the summer months. There are more travelers on the road during the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and many of these are young drivers. The combination of summer vacation, inexperienced Delaware drivers and increased travel can be a combination that results in more fatal auto accidents.

Statistics indicate that during the summer, approximately 10 people will die every day as a result of injuries suffered in an accident involving a teen driver. Other statistics are just as concerning, including the evidence that a significant portion of fatal teen-involved accidents happen at night. There are probably many reasons for this, but teens are typically out and about during the evening hours more often during the summer. 

Delaware construction workers face unique challenges every day when they are at work. From electrical hazards to moving equipment, there are many things that can increase the chance of an accident. This also includes fire hazards. There are specific steps employers can take to reduce the number of workplace injuries caused by fire risks on construction sites. 

Every year, there are thousands of fires in buildings that are currently under construction. A closer look at the high rate of fires on various types of construction sites found that there was a distinct need to update codes and enforce them, specifically those related to potential ignition sources. It may also help for construction companies to work closely with fire departments, getting the information they need to keep workers as safe as possible on specific types of job sites.