Holiday Travel & Accidents

The most dangerous times to travel are from late November to early January. More people are on the road between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of the year. Families travel to different cities to be together. You may drive across town to attend a party. It is just common sense that the more vehicles that are on the road, the likelihood of crashes increases.

Before you get behind the wheel, the American Automobile Association (AAA), National Safety Council (NSC) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all have suggestions to make your travel safer during this holiday season, whether you plan to drive just a few miles or across the country.

Travel Safety Tips for Holiday Driving

Some travel tips are based on common sense. Other tips depend on the weather in the areas you are traveling from, going through, and ending up.

• Avoid travelling at peak times. If you are traveling through a major city, avoid the rush hour. One of the busiest times is Wednesday before Thanksgiving between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. If you are traveling during these hours, expect stop-and-go traffic and for it to take you four times as long to get to your destination than it usually does.
• Make sure your car is properly maintained. Check all fluids. Check the battery. Check the condition of your wiper blades.
• Check the tread on your tires. Check the tire pressure. Have chains with you if your trip involves driving through snow.
• Keep your gas tank half-full. This avoids the worry and stress of running out of gas or desperately looking for a gas station to prevent that from happening.
• Have your cell phone with you and keep it charged. One suggestion is that if you have car trouble and are forced to stop, change your voicemail greeting to say what time you were forced to stop, where you are, whether you are staying with the car or headed out for help, and if headed out for help, say which direction you are headed. That way, if your battery runs out, callers will still reach your voicemail and be able to send help.
• Do not drive drunk. Be sure that no one you know drives drunk.

What to Do if You Are in An Accident While Traveling During the Holiday Season

If you were in an accident during the holidays, and you or someone you love was injured or killed, you need legal assistance. The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you evaluate your case and obtain the compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical damage. Contact us at 940-387-0404 for a free consultation.