Holiday Travel Places Drivers at Increased Risk of Injury
The winter holiday season is fast approaching and many of us are planning trips to visit friends and family elsewhere in the state or across the country. According to the United States Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Hanukkah/Christmas/New Year's holiday period is among the busiest for long distance travel.
Long distance travel increases by at least 23 percent during this holiday season. About 91 percent of long distance holiday travel is accomplished using a personal vehicle, mainly a car, which leads to an increase in traffic on the road. Whenever there are more people on the roads, there is an increased risk of involvement in an accident. The following is a look at the causes of holiday travel. Anyone injured in an accident should remember that they should be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Contact a licensed car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Holiday Travel Accidents
There are numerous causes of holiday travel accidents, including:
- Driver error: Driver error is the most common cause of car accidents and it can cause potentially serious accidents during the holiday travel season. Negligent behaviors include speeding, failure to observe traffic signals, failure to yield, and not using turn signals.
- Poor weather conditions: Ice can be common across Georgia during the winter months and those traveling further up north will experience an increase in ice and snow. Snow, ice, hail, sleet, and other winter weather conditions make for slick driving and cause thousands of accidents annually.
- Drunk driving: The holiday season will often involve holiday parties which can be accompanied by the consumption of alcohol. The incidence of drunk drivers on the roadways increases during the holiday season. Drivers should be on the alert for drunk drivers and exercise extra caution during the holiday season.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Vehicle maintenance is a leading cause of accidents and failure to properly maintain a vehicle can rise to the level of negligence. Common examples of poor vehicle maintenance include failure to check headlights, brakes, tire pressure, and windshield wipers.
What to Do if Injured in a Holiday Travel Automobile Accident
If you are involved in a car accident while traveling this holiday season, be sure to follow a few simple steps:
- Call 911
- Take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash if you believe you are injured
- Collect information about the accident, including witness names and contact information, weather conditions, road hazards, and more
- Consult with an attorney to preserve evidence as soon as possible
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
If you or a loved one is injured in a traffic accident, contact the Auto Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is dedicated to assisting injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. We bring over 39 years of experience to your car accident case, striving to provide you with the exceptional representation you need to obtain the best possible outcome. The sooner you act after your accident, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible.
Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.