Auto Accident Injury in Delaware
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Delaware?
If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful.
You need a Delaware auto accident attorney who will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Delaware
Auto accidents and injuries make up a burning issue in Delaware. According to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, for the first five months of 2024, there were 53 fatalities due to crashes in traffic. Out of these fatalities, 31 were of the vehicle, while the rest were made up of pedestrians and motorcyclists. Additionally, based on Delaware’s fatal crash statistics, the rise in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths has been indicated, contributing to 14 fatalities in this period together.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost.
Delaware classifies motor vehicle crashes as standard and fatal. Motor vehicle collision reports are available by mail-in request only. Crash report requests must include payment to the Delaware State Police.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses resulting from a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Delaware
Liability Laws for DE
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
Delaware is a no-fault state that uses accident liability to determine compensation for damages. Motorists are required to have minimum liability auto coverage. Due to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare in Delaware, accident victims may find their personal auto insurance coverage is not enough. Accident victims can seek compensation for their pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations in DE
Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years. Accident victims must file their claims within two years of the date of their collision. Family members of accident victims who die as a result of their accident must file their claims within two years of the date of death.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Delaware
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in DE!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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