Common Causes of Car Accidents During the Holidays
While the holiday season is meant to be a joyous time of the year, for some people the holidays can become tragic when they are involved in a car accident. Due to the heavy travel during the holiday season combined with other factors unique to the holidays, rates of car accidents tend to increase.
Holiday Season Car Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the holiday season sees a large number of motor vehicle accident fatalities. The Thanksgiving holiday has approximately 500 auto accident fatalities nationwide, while the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day sees over 1,000 motor vehicle accident fatalities.
Common Causes of Car Accidents During the Holidays
Some of the most frequent causes of auto accidents during the holiday season include:
- Distracted driving, typically caused by cell phone use behind the wheel, holiday stress, or end-of-year burnout
- Aggressive driving/road rage fueled by holiday stress
- Heavy traffic
- Nighttime driving due to shorter days
- Driving on unfamiliar roads when people travel for the holidays
- Wet or icy roads
- Intoxicated driving as people drive home from holiday parties
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance, which puts stress on vehicles as temperatures dip
If you plan on driving during the holiday season, you can help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident by having extra drivers and taking frequent breaks during long road trips, as well as avoiding driving after consuming alcohol or having a designated driver.
What Are Your Rights If You Were Involved in a Holiday Season Car Crash?
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses to treat injuries you suffered in the crash
- Costs of long-term healthcare or personal care if you suffer permanent disabilities from your injuries
- Repair expenses to fix damage to your vehicle, or reimbursement for your vehicle’s cash value if it was totaled in the accident
- Lost wages and income if you cannot work while you recover from injuries
- Lost future earning potential and employment benefits if you become disabled from working
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life when disabilities or disfigurement/scarring interferes with your daily life
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After you have been involved in a car accident over the holidays, you can best protect your legal rights by:
- Documenting the accident scene by exchanging information with the other drivers involved in the crash and taking photos/videos of vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic signals, and weather/road/traffic conditions
- Seeking immediate medical attention to document any injuries you may have suffered in the accident
- Following your doctor’s treatment plan and instructions for your injuries
- Keeping records of your medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, and lost wages/income
- Starting a journal to document your pain and difficulties with daily life
- Consulting with a car accident attorney about your options for recovering compensation for your injuries and losses
Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive East Orange personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of car accidents in Hoboken, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, East Orange, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, Trenton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
