Honest Representation
Practical Solutions

Brent D. Ratchford photo

Holiday travel may place your life in danger

On Behalf of | Dec 12, 2019 | Uncategorized |

You may be among those who believe the worst time of year for a tragic accident to occur is around the holidays. A catastrophic injury or the loss of a loved one at this time of year can forever taint what is often the most joy-filled and anticipated season of the year. Nevertheless, hundreds die in preventable traffic accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, and thousands more suffer life-changing injuries.

While your primary focus may be to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, you will also want to keep them as safe as possible, not only when traveling to holiday events but even during your daily commutes. This may mean taking extra precautions on the road because you will certainly encounter drivers who are not considering your safety.

Staying safe

You may be surprised to learn that summer holidays often see more fatal accidents than the winter holidays, but this may be little comfort if you and your family are victims of an accident this winter. Holiday travel creates a perfect storm of danger, and it is not always easy to predict when it may be safer to be on the road. Some of the factors that increase the chances of being involved in an accident include the following:

  • Drivers are stressed and in a hurry because of their holiday obligations.
  • Many partyers insist on driving home after a night of drinking.
  • Out-of-town travelers may be unfamiliar with New Jersey streets, creating confusion and frustration.
  • Things like holiday displays, GPS devices and even shopping online behind the wheel distract more drivers.
  • Winter weather may make roads slick, creating risk if you encounter unskilled, unprepared or reckless drivers.

You can certainly do your part by driving alert and sober and leaving enough time to arrive safely to your destination without the stress of rushing. Those basic safety measures, such as refusing to text while driving and employing defensive driving methods, may protect you to a certain degree over the holidays. However, you may not be able to predict or avoid every danger on the highway.

In the blink of an eye, an accident can change your life, leaving you and your family to pick up the pieces and find ways to cope. If this tragedy occurs because of the selfish and negligent actions of another driver, you have every right to reach out for advice about your legal options for pursuing justice in the civil courts.

Archives