Why Car Accidents and Deaths Increase During Thanksgiving Weekend
Thanksgiving weekend is among the happiest times of the year. However, it can also be one of the deadliest for many motorists and passengers because whenever there is increased road traffic combined with tourists and drinking alcohol, car accident injuries and deaths also increase. Before packing up and heading to your Thanksgiving weekend destination this year, be prepared for the following hazards.
Drunk Driving
During Thanksgiving weekend, it’s more common for many people to go to various gatherings where alcohol is served. Drunk driving is a crime and often leads to crashes that result in severe injuries, such as brain damage, disfigurement, paralysis, or death.
More Tourists and Vehicles on The Road
It’s no secret that Florida is among the most visited states during Thanksgiving weekend. This translates to heavier vehicle and foot traffic on the roads, which can be dangerous. Tourists also have an increased risk of engaging in reckless or negligent driving behaviors, including:
- Aggressive driving, such as improper passing, tailgating, and failure to yield
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while on drugs or drunk
- Speeding
- Disregarding stops signs, red lights, and other traffic rules
- Drowsy or fatigued driving, which has the same effects as driving while drunk or drugged
Even when tourists try their best to behave, some of them will make mistakes that can put other people’s lives in danger. These can include making sudden turns or stops, not yielding to pedestrians, and going down wrong-way roads.
Various Distractions and Unfamiliar Roadways
Unfamiliar roadways and distractions also greatly contribute to Thanksgiving accidents. Distraction can happen when tourists are taking pictures, thinking about their busy schedules, looking up addresses, talking to their passengers, looking out the window at the scenery while driving, or other things that many tourists do during road trips. But anything that takes a driver’s full attention from driving can be a distraction.
A driver’s unfamiliarity with the road can likewise be a significant distraction. They may go down one-way or wrong-way roads, miss turns, argue with passengers for directions, constantly check their navigation app, or call people for directions.
Speak to a Skilled Florida Car Accident Lawyer Today
Thanksgiving weekend should be a time of gratitude and joy spent with family and friends. But when tragedy strikes and you’re left facing the overwhelming aftermath of a car crash, you do not have to go through it on your own. If you get hurt in a Thanksgiving car crash due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue a settlement that will cover all your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other related losses you incurred due to the crash.
Reach out to our Florida car accident lawyer to explore your legal options today. If your loved one was killed because of another’s negligent actions, we can also help you recover financial compensation for your losses. Our Florida car accident lawyers will work tirelessly or you to get you the compensation and justice you deserve. Call 727-441-9030 or contact us online to arrange your free case evaluation.