Do Auto Accidents Increase Over the Holiday Season?

While the holidays are accompanied by cherished time with family, there is a notable increase in auto accidents. There are several reasons for the surge in accidents, including an increase in alcohol consumption, traffic congestion, and poor road conditions.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident this holiday season, our car accident lawyers are here to offer you guidance during this stressful time.

Accidents During the Holidays

The following fatalities were estimated for last year’s holiday season:

• There were 507 motor vehicle fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend
• There were 345 motor vehicle fatalities during the Christmas Day holiday period
• There were 375 motor vehicle fatalities during the New Year’s Day holiday period

Reasons for Increased Accidents During the Holidays

Below, we run down some reasons for the surge in accidents during the holidays:

Increase in Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol’s effects on your thinking and reflexes happen even before you start to show signs of impairment. Even though impaired driving is an issue year-round, there is a sharp increase during the holiday season.

Even if you are not slurring your words or behaving erratically, you may still be impaired. You can still experience cognitive and manual impairments with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below 0.08% (the legal limit).

Traffic Congestion

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 50 million Americans drive on Thanksgiving each year. That is no comparison to the week between Christmas and New Year’s, with an estimated 115.2 million people driving 50 miles or more to reach their destinations.

Besides greater road congestion, many of these travelers are not as familiar with the roads, increasing the chances of being involved in a crash.

Poor Road Conditions

Over 1.2 million car accidents are due to inclement weather each year, with 70% of crashes happening on wet pavement and 46% during rainy conditions.

Drivers think that by traveling more slowly, they will avoid an accident. Unfortunately, this does not account for visibility, friction, and infrastructure issues.

Compensatory Damages

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be eligible to receive compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for actual losses, which may be either economic or noneconomic.

Economic damages are direct financial losses that are the result of another person’s negligence. These may include:

• Lost income
• Lost earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Prescription costs
• Vehicle repairs

Non-economic damages are non-monetary losses that affect your ability to live a normal life. These may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress

Never assume that you do not qualify for certain damages. Leave that determination up to an experienced car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer has experience in filing claims with insurance companies and will know what damages you have suffered and what amounts you should seek for recovery.

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you were the victim of a car accident, nobody expects you to know the ins and outs of the insurance claims process. Leave the legalities to a car accident lawyer. Contact us today online or by phone at 805-643-5555 to schedule your free consultation.