An auto accident can be a life-changing experience. It can result in serious injury, and it can even result in death. Every year in the U.S. alone, hundreds of thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in auto collisions that weren’t their fault. It’s for this reason, if you’re involved in a crash that wasn’t your fault, it’s of the utmost importance to “lawyer up” as soon as humanly possible.
An expert at The Barnes Firm injury attorneys — a law firm specializing in personal injury — notes that a reputable attorney will immediately begin a legal investigation into your court case, along with the all-important circumstances that lead to the crash in the first place. They will build a strong case for you and your entire family by gathering material and circumstantial evidence that includes eye-witness statements, driving records, road conditions, photos and/or video, and even infrastructure issues.
But the point, of course, is to avoid getting into a vehicular collision in the first place.
According to a new report, the National Safety Council has found that during the holidays (not just the Christmas holidays but all holidays), it’s not uncommon for the number of car accidents to increase. This makes sense since the massive wave of tourists, shopping, festivities, parties, and gatherings at bars makes the likelihood of an accident all too inevitable. This is especially true when other major factors like drinking and driving are added to the potentially lethal mix.
Common Holiday Vehicular Accidents
While accidents happen all the time, these are some of the more common accidents that seem to occur during a holiday like New Year’s Eve.
Drunk Driving: At the end of the year there’s a lot to celebrate. People tend to let loose and consume a lot of alcohol, then get behind the wheel of their vehicle. Bad idea. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported close to 1,000 U.S. New Year’s Eve celebration-related auto fatalities back in 2016 alone.
Driving while Drowsy: The festivities that go with holidays can stretch late into the night. Even if you haven’t been drinking, you are liable to be drowsy when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle. This can result in a fatal crash. The NHTSA reports that between 2013 and 2017, 91,000 drowsy-related vehicular crashes resulted in nearly 5,000 deaths.
Increased Traffic: During a holiday more vehicles take to the road than normal. The drivers might be going to parties, bars, shopping, visiting relatives, or heading to a vacation destination. Simply said, the more traffic on the highway, the more likely your chances of getting into a collision.
Aggressive Driving and Distracted Driving: When traffic gets heavy, tempers tend to flare, especially if a driver is being tailgated. Some drivers might decide that they absolutely must answer a text while driving. Both of these scenarios can result in a terrible collision that can cause serious injury or death.
How to Avoid a Bad Traffic Accident During a Holiday
- If you’re going to be drinking alcohol, it’s best to plan on taking alternative transportation. Try UBER or Lyft or even a good old taxi. If you do drive and have consumed too much alcohol, you can always get a ride home from a friend while leaving your car behind in a bar parking lot, for instance. You can even use AAA’s tow-to-go program which is free. Just call 855-286-9246
- Be vigilant. You need to be on the lookout for drivers who are impaired and/or driving drunk. The signs should be obvious. They will include but not limited to drivers swerving in and out of lanes, frequent deceleration and/or acceleration, delayed response to traffic signals, and even driving off the road altogether.
- Get your proper rest. If you’re already feeling tired before the evening festivities have begun, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to either invest in a ridesharing service or hop a ride with a trusted friend. If you happen to be on a long road trip, make sure to make frequent stops and breaks. Share the driving with a friend so that you both have the time you need to catch some serious Zs. Those Zs can save yours or someone else’s life.
- Don’t rush. Give yourself more time than you actually need to get to your destination. Traffic will be heavy during a holiday. Expect delays. Make a plan so that you don’t feel panicked or rushed while driving. You might also want to plan out an alternative route in case your usual route is overly backed up.
