Author: Jay Howard
Holidays are a time for family get-togethers and parties. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people will be traveling all over the country for Thanksgiving and Christmas in the upcoming weeks. With so many people traveling and gathering together, there is ample chance for auto accidents.
As one of Atlanta’s premier car accident attorneys, Sami Tabbaa of Tabbaa Law knows just how dangerous holiday travel can be. He has represented people for a wide range of cases following car accidents. When these incidents occur over the holidays, they are even more heart-wrenching. If you are traveling for the holidays this season, you should plan ahead and take extra precautions.
The Most Dangerous Holidays for Traveling
According to statistics, the nearest holiday (Thanksgiving) is the second deadliest one of the year. This is due to the fact that Thanksgiving is traditionally the start of the busy holiday traveling season. In 2018, there were 291 fatal car accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
From most dangerous to least, here is a look at the deadliest holidays for drivers:
- New Year’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Fourth of July
- Christmas
- Easter
If you are injured in a car accident during the holidays, you should not hesitate to contact a skilled car accident attorney who can help you with your claim.
4 Best Practices to Travel Safely during the Holiday Season
Without a doubt, traveling is an inconvenient part of the holidays. One way to stay safe and sane this holiday season is to follow some tips to make your holidays not only safer, but stress free as well. The following are four ways to stay safe while traveling for the holidays:
Be Well Rested
With so many holiday parties and events to go to, it may be tempting to skip a few hours of sleep here and there. This is not wise, however, as sleep is especially important if you are traveling a long distance during the holidays. One of the most common causes of car accidents is tired drivers who can’t keep their eyes open and on the road.
Make Sure Your Vehicle is Maintained
Performing a maintenance checkup on your automobile sometime in early November is one of the best ways to ensure your vehicle won’t suddenly break down during the holiday season. With winter approaching, be sure to check the levels of your antifreeze, make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly, and check the air pressure and tread of your tires.
Travel on the Actual Holiday
Few people consider how advantageous this tip is. Waiting to travel on the actual holiday itself is a great way to avoid getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. By the time Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day finally roll around, most people who travel during the holidays are already where they plan to be, leaving the roads and airport terminals largely empty. Traveling on the day of the holiday can also save you money since ticket prices usually plunge on holidays. Most people have already reached their holiday destination of choice, so the roads and airports should be mostly free of travelers.
Avoid Driving in Unfamiliar Surroundings
Driving in unfamiliar places is dangerous. Not knowing where you are going or facing unusual traffic patterns can mean an increased risk of accidents occurring. Additionally, police officers are usually out during the holidays to keep the roads safe. The best way to avoid speed traps is simply to follow the posted speed limit and to obey any and all traffic laws.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney at Tabbaa Law Today
The ideal holiday should be free of stress and misfortune. You should take safety precautions during the holidays to avoid having a car accident while traveling. If you are injured while traveling during the holidays, you should contact Tabbaa Law. We are available and ready to assist you with your case.
For a free case review, you can call us at (770) 370-7881 or contact us through our website.
Auto Accidents