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ChatThe holiday season is a time to celebrate and cherish moments with friends and family. To do so, many of us must travel. This means some of us must navigate unfamiliar routes, experience increased traffic in inclement weather conditions, and drive with packed, distraction-filled vehicles. In other words, unique winter holiday distractions make experiencing a holiday car accident very plausible.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we love coming together as a team to celebrate the winter holidays. We encourage you to do the same! However, preparing to prevent a holiday car accident is important.
As personal injury lawyers supporting our Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities, we often see our clients endure life-changing injuries because of car accidents. To help reduce the number and severity of injuries this holiday season, today’s blog focuses on common issues, how to avoid or reduce them, and what to do if you are a victim of a holiday car accident.
Winter Weather and Increased Traffic Considerations
Starting around Thanksgiving and going through New Year’s Day, everyone should be mindful of winter weather hazards. Increased chances of snow, sleet, fog, and icy roads combined with reduced daylight and visibility make car accidents all the more likely. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, there were 498 fatal traffic accidents and over 32,000 injuries when snow or sleet was present.
Inclement weather often reduces tire traction, changing how drivers must drive to stay safe. Difficult weather conditions and an increased number of drivers are often a recipe for a holiday car accident.
To stay safe, make sure to drive the speed limit (or slower, if weather requires), brake slowly and timely, and increase your following distance to account for any brake failures or other weather-related issues. We also encourage holiday season drivers to plan ahead. This includes ensuring your car is safe to drive (check the tread and windshield wiper fluid levels), packing essential tools like extra blankets, food, flashlight, and batter starter, and checking the weather beforehand. No holiday celebration is worth traversing dangerous roadways!
Drunk Driving and the Holiday Season
Holidays invite celebration and celebration invites drinking. According to NHTSA, 56% of serious and/or fatal injured road users test positive for alcohol or drug of impairment. Add winter month holidays and bad weather into the mix, injuries are certain to increase. We encourage our communities not to drink and drive. Schedule an Uber, Lyft, or other car service, confirm a designated driver, or abstain from alcohol altogether before getting behind the wheel after a holiday toast.
Distracted Driving and the Holiday Season
Traveling with a car full of loud, bored, or otherwise antsy children is a reality of life. And oftentimes, adults must drive in these conditions to gather for family events. While we encourage family togetherness, we also want to prevent distracted driving this holiday season.
To do this, we recommend ensuring children, teens, and adult passengers know passenger etiquette, like conversing at a low volume. Plan to provide children with activities and take driving breaks as needed. It’s also important to plan your route ahead. In addition to checking weather conditions, map out your designation in advance to avoid distraction from faulty GPS devices, unclear signage, and unfamiliar roadways.
I’ve Followed Bottaro Injury Lawyers’ Safety Tips, but I am a Victim of a Holiday Car Accident. What Do I Do?
At the end of the day, you can only control your own actions. Even if you are careful on the roads, limit distractions, and drive sober, others may not take safety seriously. If you are injured in a holiday car accident, call Bottaro Injury Lawyers as soon as feasibly possible so one of our car accident attorneys can start helping you with your claim. We are available even around the holidays, and clients often retain us at their accident scenes.
Once you’re physically safe and lawyered up, a holiday car accident attorney at Bottaro Injury Lawyers will review all relevant documents and other evidence in your case to establish who and to what extent the party or parties are at fault. Once we determine fault, we begin the case-building and negotiation processes.
Just because the holiday season is right around the corner does not mean we are immune from tragedy. While we don’t want our communities to become consumed by safety considerations, we urge you and your loved ones to take a minute to make the right choices this holiday season. And if you are injured at no fault of your own, call us to discuss your options!
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help with cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call us at 401-777-7777 or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
