A number of factors contribute to an increase in traffic accidents during holidays. From alcohol-related crashes and winter weather to road rage accidents, your risk of suffering injuries in a car wreck increases when celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. Victims of Ohio car accidents can file a claim to collect compensation to cover their losses, but preventing these accidents is always a better option when possible.
What do the statistics say about holiday car accidents in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Public Safety found the following when tracking accidents for 2015:
- Thanksgiving: There were 4,007 total car accidents during the five-day holiday period. These crashes resulted in 1,417 injuries and nine deaths.
- Christmas: The four-day Christmas holiday period resulted in 2,514 crashes, including 969 injuries and 13 deaths.
- New Year’s: During the two-day New Year’s celebration, there were 1,086 crashes causing 404 injuries and six deaths.
While there were less alcohol-related deaths over the New Year’s holiday, more deaths occurred each day (1.5 deaths per day) compared to Thanksgiving (less than 1 each day) and Christmas (1 each day).
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Why are there more crashes during the holiday season?
Holidays often mean visiting family in other cities, and celebrating the season with friends and coworkers. The nation’s airports are crowded, and so are the interstates and highways. With more cars on the road, there is naturally an increase in traffic accidents.
At the same time, many people are in a last-minute rush to get to the supermarket or shopping mall, and become frustrated with the holiday traffic. This may lead to careless driving, road rage accidents, and even violent confrontations, especially when you add adverse weather conditions and alcohol use.
How can I limit my risk of suffering injuries in an Ohio traffic accident?
There are some precautions you can take to limit your risk of an Ohio traffic accident, and minimize your injuries during a crash. These include:
- Giving yourself plenty of time to get where you are going
- Driving under the speed limit
- Only driving as fast as is safe in the current conditions
- Never tailgating or driving aggressively
- Keeping your temper under control
- Driving defensively
- Following all rules of the road
- Being especially vigilant in parking lots and in traffic
- Always wearing your seatbelt/ensuring all passengers wear their seatbelts
- Limiting passengers in your car
- Never drinking and driving
- Avoiding distracted or fatigued driving
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How can Bressman Law help me after an Ohio traffic accident?
We want you to stay as safe as possible this holiday season, but we know accidents happen. If you or a loved one suffers injuries in an Ohio traffic accident — or anytime during the year — you have options.
When another motorist acts carelessly or negligently and this leads to a crash, you can hold him/her financially liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs.
Call Bressman Law today at (614) 538-1116 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about recovering compensation.
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