A Georgetown, DE car accident lawyer discusses the dangers
Delaware may be the state with the strictest anti-speeding laws in the country, but fatal car accidents caused by negligent drivers going too fast are still a major issue here. A recent 10-year study found that about 1 out of 3 fatal Delaware car accidents cite speed as a factor. Each year there are about 30-45 speeding-related fatalities in the state.
Delaware has some of the harshest speeding penalties in the U.S. You can get up to 30 days in jail for a first offense reckless driving charge. While possible, jail is rare for first-time offenders.
Types of speeding
Not everyone knows this, but speeding isn't just going faster than the posted limit. It is often considered a speeding violation whenever someone drives too fast for the road conditions. If you cannot maintain control of your vehicle doing the speed limit when it's raining, there's standing water around, or the roads are slick and icy — the law says you must slow down.
Delaware also has standard speed limits for various areas. Legal speed limits can be affected by local codes as well as weather, work zones, and other conditions. That's why it is best to stay alert and keep an eye out for speed limit signs.
As a general guide, you may be speeding in Delaware if you are going faster than:
- 20 mph in a school zone
- 25 mph in a business or residential district
- 50 mph on two-lane roadways
- 55 mph on four-lane roadways
- 65 mph on Delaware State Route 1 (Del. 1) between the Red Lion Creek and the Appoquinimink River
Most common types of crashes in Delaware
Typically, Sussex and New Castle counties experience more speeding crashes than Kent. Cities and towns that have experienced fatal speeding crashes over the last several years include Seaford, Millsboro, Rehoboth Beach, Milford, Wilmington, and Claymont. In Concord, the road to Concord Pond has experienced two recent deadly crashes, according to federal data.
In addition to speeding-related crashes, some of the most common fatal and injury-causing car accident types in Delaware include:
- Distracted driving — This isn't just texting and driving. Distracted driving counts as any action that takes the driver's attention off the road including things like eating or drinking while driving, changing the radio or adjusting the heat, talking with a passenger, and self-grooming.
- Rear-end collisions — Often caused by tailgating (following too closely), speeding, skidding, distracted driving, and degraded tires or braking system
- Failure to yield — When someone ignores the rules of the road, a failure to yield accident may occur.
- Driving under the influence — This includes drunk driving (also known as DUI or DWI) as well as driving while high on over-the-counter, prescribed, or illegal drugs.
- Disregard for traffic signals — These often occur when people drive through red lights or stop signs.
Legal help is available for Delaware crash victims
When negligent drivers choose to speed and injure others as a result, they should be held responsible for their reckless behavior. Recovering from a bad car accident can be a long and expensive process. If you were injured or a loved one died in a crash, it is important that you fight for the compensation you're entitled to so that you don't have to pay for someone else's negligence.
At the Law Office of Edward C. Gill, P.A., we fight for the compensation our clients need and deserve. To see how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. We're located in Georgetown, DE, and proudly serve clients throughout Sussex County.