5 Shocking Facts About Auto Accidents During the Holiday Season

Everyone gets excited around the holidays as this is the time to travel and visit friends and family. However, all this traveling and excitement mean busier roads and potentially more car accidents. See the five shocking facts when it comes to holiday accidents. We’ll also dive into the topic and see why is this time of year so much worse than the rest of the year for auto crashes.

1. An average of 343 people die in traffic during the 3-day Christmas Holiday period.

2. An average of 373 die over the 3-day New Year holiday

3. Nearly 25,000 people were killed between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day last year.

4. 38% of previous years’ fatalities during Christmas involved an alcohol-impaired driver.

5. Roughly 45,000 nonfatal injuries occur annually between November and December.

How to Prevent Car Crashes During the Holidays

The heavy traffic during the holidays increases the chances of car collisions. Combine this with all the distractions that naturally come with traveling and meeting family and friends. Here’s what everyone should remember to minimize the chances of a car accident.

Keep Phone Use to a Minimum

Whether you’re using a hands-free or not, phone conversations can be distracting. Yes, there are emergencies and safe ways to talk over the phone, but even pressing the green button to answer a call may distract you enough and cause an accident. Having the mindset to keep phone use to a minimum helps.

Get Enough Sleep & Stay Awake

Statistics show that even one hour of missing sleep significantly increases the chances of a motor vehicle collision. Getting enough sleep before driving is just as important as doing everything possible to stay awake and concentrated on the road. For Example, on long trips, always make sure to take frequent breaks as recommended but if you feel fatigued, pull over to the first safe spot to get some rest until you can drive again.

Never Drink & Drive

There can never be enough emphasis on the dangers of drinking and driving. However, during the holidays, people tend to ignore this or feel they didn’t have enough alcohol in their system to cause an accident. Set your priorities straight; even half a glass could be fatal.

The holidays should be a time of love and joy and not a mourning time of the year. Do your best to protect yourself, the people you love, and everyone around you while driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do Immediately After an Auto Accident?

Your first and foremost action following an accident is to stay calm, check if you or anyone else involved has been injured, and call the police. Get the name and contact information of all parties involved in the accident as well as any witnesses of the event. To document the damage, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. It’s important not to admit liability until you hire an attorney because they will conduct a thorough investigation to establish the driver at fault.

Should I Seek Medical Treatment After an Auto Accident, even if I feel fine?

Right after a car accident, you may feel fine, but injuries can surface days, weeks, and even months later. That’s why it’s good to see a doctor even if you don’t believe you were injured in the accident. Your doctor can recognize issues or injuries that won’t immediately become apparent to you and alert you to warning signs of injuries that may arise due to the accident. If you fail to treat your injuries within a certain period of time, you may forfeit your right to get reimbursement for future medical costs. The general rule is not to settle auto accident claims without having been examined by a medical professional.

Do I have to go to court if I decide to file an Auto Injury Claim?

In most cases, you won’t have to go to court. The majority of auto accident claims are resolved outside of court after negotiating the terms with the insurer. Most insurance companies generally try to settle claims as quickly as possible and for as little money as possible, so it’s wise to have an attorney negotiate on your behalf.

What information is necessary when filing Auto Accident Claims?

In addition to taking pictures of the accident scene and taking the contact information of the involved parties and witnesses, your detailed explanation of how the accident happened is also necessary to file a claim. Law enforcement reports of the accident will also serve as crucial evidence in your claim.

What if the Auto Accident was partly my fault?

Many factors determine the driver at fault in an auto accident case. Do not accept any part of the blame until the investigation has concluded. Even if the investigation finds that you are partially at fault, you may still be entitled to receive compensation. There are cases when the victim also shares part of the blame for an accident. If, for example, you were driving five to ten mph over the speed limit when the accident happened, this would have limited your reaction time, and you could likely be considered a negligent driver even if you weren’t the one to cause the crash. Different states have different ways of settling auto accident claims where more than one driver is at fault. So it’s best to check the specific laws in your state (or the state where the accident took place) or discuss the matter with your auto accident injury lawyer.

What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have Insurance, or I’m the victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident?

It happens surprisingly often that people get into an auto accident where the driver at fault doesn’t have insurance. In these situations, it’s wise to have an auto insurance policy that comes with Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. That way, if you get into an accident and the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you will still be able to file your claim under the UM coverage you have with your own insurance company. Your insurer will then process the claim following the same process as it would for an opposing insurer. The only difference is that the claim will be against your UM coverage and not against another driver. Likewise, if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident where the responsible driver fled the scene before you could take their information, you can again seek compensation from your UM coverage.

What type of damages could I be entitled to in an Auto Accident Case?

Suppose you suffered injuries after an auto accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence. In that case, there are two main types of damages that you may seek compensation for: compensatory (a.k.a. monetary) and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are the most common type of damages in a personal injury claim, and they often include: ● Current and future medical bills ● Property damage ● Emotional duress ● Lost wages ● Loss of enjoyment of life ● Loss of future earnings potential On the other hand, punitive damages are much rarer, but they can occur in situations where the vehicle manufacturer is to blame.