Wilmington Medical Malpractice Law And Car Accident Law Blog

Car accidents: Recent study shows deaths continue to increase

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Sunday, January 19, 2020.

They say getting there is half the fun, but traveling these days can be treacherous. Despite stringent traffic laws and increased safety measures, roadways across the state of Delaware are becoming more dangerous every year. According to a recent study, deaths related to car accidents increased last year in Delaware.

The study, conducted by the Office of Highway Safety, showed the number of traffic fatalities rose 12 percent in 2019 compared to the year before. The study showed there were 132 traffic-related deaths in 2019. This was an increase from 117 deaths in 2018 and 110 deaths in 2017.

Do you consider self-driving vehicles safe?

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP on Friday, January 17, 2020.

If you've read any of the media coverage surrounding self-driving vehicles, you may have concerns about how safe these vehicles may be. After all, how safe can a vehicle be if there is no one driving it? Can you assume that technology is advanced enough to safely operate a motor vehicle on its own? These are only a few of the many questions people in Delaware may have regarding automated vehicles.

Safety is a major concern for both the companies developing these vehicles and people who will be sharing the road with them. Human error is the leading cause of most motor vehicle accidents, which is why there is reason to believe that self-driving cars are actually safer than those with human drivers. How safe does a self-driving car have to be in order to be safe enough to share the road with other vehicles?

Cognitive distraction and how it plays a role in many car crashes

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Car accidents happen for many reasons, but often they are the result of some type of human error. People think they can multi-task or they underestimate the danger or risk associated with certain types of behaviors. As a result, they needlessly endanger themselves and others on the road, sometimes even causing accidents that leave others injured.

One of the most common behaviors that can lead to car accidents is distracted driving. Since the advent of smartphones and certain types of technology, it is now more common than ever for a driver to have access to various different things that could vie for his or her attention the entire time behind the wheel. Cognitive distraction is anything that causes a driver to lose focus, and it is incredibly dangerous.

Surgical errors and negligence lead to woman's amputation

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in surgical errors on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Surgeons in Delaware and across the country perform literally thousands of surgical procedures every day. These skilled surgeons combine their expertise with state-of-the-art medical technology to produce beneficial outcomes for the vast majority of their patients. However, no amount of technology or skill can totally prevent surgical errors from happening. A woman in another state filed a lawsuit after she lost her leg, apparently due to a foreign object that was left inside of her.

The lawsuit said the woman underwent bypass surgery several years ago. She suffered from stomach pains for nearly four years after the procedure until she visited a hospital and finally discovered that a sponge was inside of her intestine, according to claims. Apparently, nurses had left the sponge inside the woman during her bypass procedure. However, the documents explaining this discovery fell through the cracks and were never sent to her primary care physician, the lawsuit alleged.

Safe driving habits don't always prevent car accidents

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Every driver knows that traveling can be treacherous these days. In the state of Delaware, high traffic volumes exist at nearly all hours of the day. To avoid car accidents, drivers must always be attentive and focused behind the wheel. Unfortunately, there are some who will choose to drive while intoxicated or impaired, and by doing so, they endanger the lives of all those around them.

A man was recently sent to prison for driving under the influence and causing a crash that resulted in injuries to a young boy. The accident happened near Georgetown at a traffic light on U.S. 113. According to reports, the man, who was driving a pickup truck, failed to stop at the traffic light and violently collided with the rear of an SUV. Reports said the collision knocked the SUV into the median and onto its left side.

Issues that signify a high-risk pregnancy

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

You've likely heard about certain factors that most obstetricians would consider cause for concern or at least close monitoring during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have given birth multiple times before, and especially if you are age 35 or older, your Delaware medical team will want to keep a close watch on both yours and your baby's health.

Having a baby can be an exciting yet challenging time in life. It's helpful to learn as much as you can about what to expect, although many issues can arise unexpectedly, which is why it's critical to have a competent, experienced medical team available to assist you. Sadly, if your obstetrician or midwife disregards certain symptoms or is otherwise negligent, you or your child (or both) could suffer serious, even life-threatening injuries.

Negligent medical care results in thousands of brain injuries

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in brain injuries on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

The brain is one of the most important yet most delicate organs in the human body. Any injury to this vital organ can have permanent ramifications for victims. Brain injuries are some of the most debilitating types of injuries a person can suffer. When these injuries happen as a result of negligence, victims -- including surviving families of deceased victims -- in Delaware can pursue legal action.

A man in another state filed a lawsuit claiming that he suffered permanent brain injuries due to negligence. According to the lawsuit, the man visited a hospital with complaints of headaches. The lawsuit asserted that the man underwent several tests, including a CT scan. Apparently, the man had a history of head injuries with loss of consciousness.

Car accidents involving pedestrians are becoming more frequent

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Many Delaware residents choose walking as a main source of transportation these days. Traveling by foot is economical and also a great way to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, walking near busy roadways is dangerous. In many states throughout the country, car accidents involving pedestrians are at an all time high. Tragically, these types of accidents have a higher risk of serious injury or death.

A recent accident near Ardentown claimed the life of a pedestrian. The accident happened on Interstate 95 in the southbound lanes during the overnight hours. According to reports, a female pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway when she was suddenly struck by a southbound SUV.

Mother says her providers failed to recognize birth injuries

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in birth injuries on Monday, December 23, 2019.

For parents in Delaware and across the country, one of the most wonderful occasions in life is the birth of their children. It goes without saying that all parents want a healthy birth, but this doesn't always happen. Tragically, birth injuries continue to occur at an alarming rate in the United States. Childbirth is a fragile process and if any steps are neglected in this process, babies and mothers can be permanently injured.

A woman in another state claims her medical providers injured her baby during birth and failed to recognize or treat the injury. According to the woman, her daughter's collar bone was fractured during birth. After delivery, the mother said she noticed that her baby was turning purple and the area around her collar bone was swollen and bruised.

Car accidents: DUI checkpoints set up to stop drunk driving

On behalf of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

It's common knowledge that driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the most dangerous things a person can do, yet drivers in Delaware continue to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. On average, one person is killed by an drunk driver every 40 minutes in the United States. Tragically, car accidents involving drunk drivers have a higher chance of being very serious or fatal. To combat the problem of drunk driving, police forces across the state of Delaware routinely set up DUI checkpoints.

During a recent weekend, law enforcement agencies set up DUI checkpoints in every Delaware county. The DUI checkpoints were a coordinated effort by the Office of Highway Safety and Delaware State Police along with local police departments. According to reports, over 2,500 vehicles passed through the checkpoints.