Addressing Injury Claims After the 4th of July Celebrations Are Over
The 4th of July holiday provided a time for families to celebrate our country’s independence with family while enjoying fireworks, barbecues, and family. However, safety experts have referred to the July 4th weekend as the most dangerous weekend of the year. In fact, the National Safety Council indicates that a recent 4th of July saw 385 deaths and 11,400 injuries from fireworks, swimming accidents, and auto collisions. In this blog article, our personal injury attorneys urge members of our community to be vigilant about protecting their legal rights after suffering an injury due to another's negligence.
Below are a few examples of the types of accidents that cause serious injury during the 4th of July each year.
Fireworks Accidents - Fireworks might be a popular way to celebrate the holiday, but pyrotechnics can cause serious injury. Approximately 11,000 people were injured in fireworks accidents throughout the U.S. between June 18, 2016 and July 18, 2016h. Of those injured in fireworks accidents during that period, 7,600 victims suffered an injury serious enough to necessitate treatment in an emergency room. Although burns are the most common form of injury, firework accidents can be fatal. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that fireworks claim the lives of an average of seven people per year. Defective pyrotechnics, insufficient supervision, and carelessness or misuse all constitute forms of negligence that might cause a fireworks accident. Approximately seventy percent of fireworks injuries involve burns to the hands, arms, head, face, and ears.
Car Accidents - Many people brave heavy traffic traveling the roads and interstates to reach family gatherings, view fireworks shows, participate in sporting events, and celebrate in other ways. An average of 127 people per year died in motor vehicle accidents during a recent four-year period on July Fourth, which exceeds the number of fatalities on every other day of the year. While the number of people traveling U.S. roadways partially accounts for the high number of crashes, the mixing of alcohol and driving also contributes to many collisions causing injuries and fatalities.
Swimming Pool Accidents - Soaring temperatures during the Fourth of July make swimming pools an attractive option for enjoying the holiday. While drowning and near drowning accidents pose the most serious risk, people also suffer spinal or neck injuries, bone fractures, and abrasions in pool-related incidents. Many factors can contribute to this type of serious accident, such as a lack of lifeguards, poorly maintained swimming facilities, non-existent lifesaving equipment, or use of alcohol around the pool. Diving board injuries, falls on wet surfaces, drain entrapments, and drownings are just a few of the ways individuals can be injured while enjoying time in a pool or spa.
Our personal injury claims attorneys and staff urge those in our community and throughout the state to exercise care and common sense for a safe holiday. Montlick and Associates has been representing Atlanta injury victims throughout Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and ll smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours 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.
Sources:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/overview-of-fatality-facts
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
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Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
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