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Holidays and Vehicle Accidents

cars covered in snow

Holidays are a time for family, food, celebrations, and travel. In fact, the days between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day are the busiest in terms of long-distance travel. This increase in travel often results in an increase in vehicle accidents, thereby causing more physical injuries and deaths over the holiday season.

Drunk Driving Accidents

In many cases, auto accidents around the holidays involve the excessive consumption of alcohol. Families and friends often include alcohol in holiday celebrations and opt to drive once the festivities are over. In other cases, however, holidays can trigger negative emotions in some people. This can lead to alcohol consumption followed by getting behind the wheel. Whenever anyone drives while under the influence of alcohol, other motorists, passengers, and even pedestrians are put at risk of serious injury or death.

Other Causes of Holiday Auto Accidents

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that driving during the holidays does increase the risk of auto accidents. Causes of these accidents include:

  • A higher number of vehicles on the road means more accidents
  • Driver fatigue from continuous driving
  • Speeding in order to reach a destination
  • Hazardous driving conditions due to inclement weather or crowded roadways
  • Distracted or aggressive driving due to stress felt by drivers needing to be prepared for the holidays

Physical Injuries During the Holidays

The increase in vehicle accidents during the holidays directly impacts the increase of accident-related physical injuries or death. Drivers have a duty of reasonable care to other motorists on the roadway and pedestrians that may be in the area. Thus, driving while fatigued, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol is considered a breach of the duty to drive carefully. With so many people on the road, the failure to exercise a reasonable amount of caution while driving can be considered negligent, particularly if the behavior resulted in an accident that caused physical and/or emotional harm to another driver or pedestrian.

Legal Action

Negligent driving is illegal no matter what time of year it is, but an auto accident resulting in serious injuries to a loved one is likely to be more devastating around the holidays. Jeffrey H. Penneys, Esq. understands the need to handle injury claims with compassion and patience during the holidays. His passion and experience in personal injury law drives him to determine the best course of action for each case based on the individual and personal details involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle or any other motor vehicle accident, fill out our online contact form or call a Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer, Attorney Jeffrey H. Penneys, he will contact you about your claim. If negligence caused the injuries, then he can focus on fighting for your rights while you focus on getting well.

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