Delaware Fatal Car Accident Statistics

Delaware Fatal Car Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Delaware suffered 121 traffic crash deaths in 2014. While that figure seems low, it’s actually a significant jump from the year before. Some of the main factors leading to the jump in fatalities include –

  • Speeding
  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Not using safety restraints and seat belts

If you’re thinking that most of these accidents involved young drivers who have less experience and are willing to take greater risks, you would be wrong. In 2014, about 161 drivers were involved in fatal crashes. Of those, only 11 involved drivers under the age of 21 and none involved drivers under the age of 15.

Of all traffic related deaths in Delaware in 2014 speeding and alcohol were key factors in the majority. In fact, speeding killed 44 people, up from 37 in 2013, and drunk driving caused the deaths of 49 people, up from 37 the prior year. Sadly, only 46 of the 71 persons killed in passenger vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. These statistics show that Delaware needs to do more to increase highway safety.

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Deaths

There were 15 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2014, but only seven riders were wearing helmet. And while this figure is a decrease from 2013, its almost double the ten-year low of only eight rider deaths in 2010.

Bicyclists in Delaware will be happy to know that half the number of cyclists were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2014 than in 2008 and 2009 when six cyclists died in motor vehicle accidents. However, no cyclists died in 2010, and only one in 2013, but three died in 2014, more than double the prior year.

The rates of pedestrian deaths in Delaware are very troubling and show that the state needs to do so much more to keep walkers, joggers, and hikers safe from motor vehicles. In 2005, only 11 pedestrians were will by motor vehicles, but in 2014 that number jumped to 25, holding steady from the previous year. In fact, there have been no serious safety gains for pedestrians since 2005.

Fatalities by Crash Type

Of the 121 persons who were killed in crashes –

  • 66 involved a single vehicle
  • 12 involved a large truck
  • 44 involved speeding
  • 23 involved a rollover
  • 61 involved a departure from the roadway
  • 26 involved traffic at an intersection.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!

Delaware highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.

Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in

  • Commercial bus crashes
  • School bus accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Truck crashes
  • Motorcycle collisions
  • Commercial vehicle accidents
  • Semi-truck crashes

We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.


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