Call Us: Holiday Travel Tips
With the holidays just around the corner, many families are excited to finally get together after years of dealing with COVID-19. But, with this comes also the increase in accidents. Make sure that you and your family are safe this holiday season by taking certain steps to avoid accidents which could lead to injuries. The last thing that you would want this holiday season is to deal with severe injuries, along with a potential future lawsuit.
Several thousands of people will be traveling home during the holiday season this year. Whether you will be driving, taking the train, or taking the plane to get from one point to another, there are specific steps you can take to make sure that you are prepared for a safe holiday season. Accidents could be very severe during the holiday season, especially because many drivers on the road speed to get home as fast as they can.
Holiday Car Accident Statistics
- According to the National Safety Council, there will be around 400 people that die from car accidents each year during the holiday period. This is a very high fatality rate compared to other holidays and car accidents.
- Around 40% of car accidents that occurred during the holiday season involve alcohol and / or drugs. When drunk drivers get behind the wheel, they are impaired, and do not have enough time to come to a complete stop in the event that the cars start to build up on the freeways or highways.
- Younger adults are more likely to drink and drive during the holiday season. This includes those between 21 to 24 years of age.
- You are more likely to be involved in a car accident on New Year’s Eve than Christmas Eve.
What causes holiday car accidents?
- Distracted driving
- Negligent driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Unfamiliar roads
- Fatigued driving
- Vehicles not maintained
- Poor weather conditions
- Increased traffic
- Driving while stressed
- Aggressive drivers
There are several other causes for holiday accidents, the most common are listed above. If you have been involved in a car accident, give our car accident attorneys a call today to discuss how you can get compensated for your injuries.
Stay Safe This Holiday Season
Below are some steps you can take to make sure that you are safe this holiday season and the likelihood of getting involved in an accident is reduced.
- Make sure that your car is serviced and repaired. Disabled vehicles are a very serious concern that could lead to car accidents on the freeways and streets. If your car has given off any signals needing repair or service, make sure that you take all those necessary steps prior to hitting the road this holiday season.
- Pack an emergency kit for your car, which could include flashlights, batteries, jumper cables, and water. Although you can take all the necessary steps to make sure your car is maintained, cars are still very unpredictable, and you never know just when you may end up on the side of the road.
- Prepare for poor road conditions. The holiday season is the start of cold weather, and with that comes icy road conditions. When roads are icy and wet, the likelihood of getting involved in a car accident is increased. Make sure that you leave the house at a proper time in the event that there is traffic caused by slippery road conditions. If you are driving in an area where it is likely to snow, make sure that you have snow chains.
- Prepare for construction on the roads. Although it is not that common, construction does occur during the holiday season. When construction occurs on the freeways, several lanes could be blocked off or closed. This then causes congestion and traffic, along with stop-and-go traffic which could lead to an accident for distracted drivers who may be on their phone. Make sure that you know exactly where you are headed, and take a look at other alternative routes.
- Do not drive tired. Fatigued driving is a very common cause of accidents during the holiday season. Make sure you take all the necessary breaks when driving. During this break, make sure that you get plenty of water and stretch your feet.
- Do not drive drunk. Driving under the Influence is also a very common cause of car accidents during the holiday season. This is especially true for New Years as people drink large amounts of champagne to ring in the New Year. Make sure that you refrain from driving and getting behind the wheel.
- Always carry a phone charger in your car. In the event of an accident, you want to make sure that your cellphone has enough battery charge for you to make calls to 911, to family members, and to an attorney.
- Always prepare to spend the night over at someone else’s home. Whether you have drunk, or the road conditions have gotten tremendously worse, always plan ahead and make sure that you have a space over at your family and friends in the case that you have to stay the night.
- The peak hours could be the most dangerous time for traffic. This is especially true for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Make sure that you give yourself enough time and stay away from bumper-to-bumper traffic.
- Make sure you stay awake, so you do not fall asleep at the wheel. Drink coffee and take multiple breaks in between to make sure that you are wide awake.
What type of car accidents occur during the holiday season?
Although there is no single type of car accident that happens during the holiday season, some examples could include:
- T-Bone collisions
- Head on collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- Rear end collisions
- Drifting lanes
Holiday Lights Distraction
Surprisingly, holiday lights have also been a number one cause of accidents during the holiday season. As you go around the neighborhood and look at each house that has the holiday lights, make sure that you drive at a steady pace and always keep your eyes on the road.
What type of accident could occur during the holiday season?
Other than popular belief, it is not just car accidents that occurred during the holiday season, but other accidents may include:
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Metro accidents
- Train accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Big rig accidents
- Tractor accidents
Have you been involved in an accident this holiday season?
If you are involved in an accident during the holiday season, give our attorneys a call to see how we can help you. We are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have with a potential lawsuit. If you have been injured because of another person’s negligent acts, you should not have to pay for all your finances. Give us a call to discuss your case and to start your lawsuit.
Although the holidays are a time of fun and spending time with your loved ones, it could also be a dangerous time for accidents. Make sure that you have the right attorney on your side, and give our experienced and highly qualified car accident attorneys a call today to discuss your case. We are contingency-fee attorneys, and will not get any compensation upfront from our clients unless we win compensation for our clients. Give us a call today to see how we can help you.