The holiday season encompassing Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day are some of the most dangerous for drivers and passengers of motor vehicles.
Two of the busiest travel periods of the year are the days before and after Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these times, millions of additional vehicles are on the road, increasing traffic, travel time, and the chances that accidents will occur. Many of these, particularly those that are fatal, involve alcohol.
While the travel period around Christmas Day typically sees the most significant increase in travelers, New Year’s Day sees the largest spike in fatal drunk driving accidents during the holiday season. And although fewer people travel for Thanksgiving, the days before and after this holiday see the second-highest number of drunk driving accidents.
Increased caution is essential during these times to help protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.
How to drive safely around the holidays
If you plan on driving during peak holiday travel periods, be sure to:
- Refrain from alcohol use.
- Avoid driver-impairing medication.
- Follow the flow of traffic.
- Allow extra space between your vehicle and others.
- Avoid all types of distraction.
Staying sober, patient, and alert can help you avoid causing an accident. These steps may also help you react in time to avoid being the victim of an accident caused by someone else. However, even safe drivers cannot always avoid injury. If you are harmed or a loved one is killed in an accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
An experienced and effective personal injury law firm
Kline & Specter has more than 50 attorneys, five of whom are also medical doctors, with significant experience helping victims of motor vehicle accidents seek justice. We have secured many substantial verdicts and settlements for individuals and families suffering the consequences of someone else’s poor decisions, and specifically for victims of serious and fatal car accidents.
If you believe you have cause to file suit, schedule a free case review in which we can listen to your story. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York. For cases outside those states, the firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
