Car Accidents Spike over Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here. This holiday provides a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and as a result, many people will be travelling during this weekend. According to AAA, approximately 90% of Thanksgiving travelers will be driving to get to their holiday gathering this week. This increased traffic on the road often leads to an increase in car accidents.

Most people aren’t just driving across town to get to a relative’s house. In most instances, people are driving far distances to spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones. AAA estimates that roughly 51 million people will travel 50 miles or farther over the Thanksgiving holiday. For those traveling by car, this equates to a fair amount of driving, especially on the way home after a heavy meal. It should come as no surprise that Thanksgiving ranks as one of the top weekends all year for car accidents.

Why Do Car Accidents Spike over Thanksgiving?

There are several reasons why there is a greater risk of getting into an accident over the Thanksgiving holiday:

• There are more vehicles on the road than normal, particularly on the highways
• More drivers are travelling long distances than normal
• Heavy meals and long travel days increase driver fatigue
• Many drivers on the road have been drinking all day
• Bad weather conditions
• Distracted driving

When all of these factors are combined on the same busy day of travelling, it equates to a significant increase in risk for everyone on the road. Drunk driving, in particular, is a serious issue over Thanksgiving. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that there were 800 alcohol-related car accident fatalities throughout the Thanksgiving weekend during a four-year period from 2012-2016.

Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving Weekend

If you’re going to be driving to holiday dinner this week, make sure you take every possible precaution to keep your family safe. The following tips will help you reduce your risk of getting into a car accident over Thanksgiving:

• Make sure there is a designated driver who stays sober throughout the holiday meal
• Start driving home before you become tired in order to avoid driver fatigue
• Make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt
• Avoid using your cellphone and other distractions while driving
• Keep a safe distance from other drivers so that you can maneuver to avoid a dangerous situation
• Rotate drivers if you have a long trip home
• Observe all posted speed limits

Jensen Phelan Law Firm can Help with Your Car Accident Claim

If you or a loved one is injured over Thanksgiving in a car accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. The attorneys at the Jensen Phelan Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of injured victims in the Prescott area for over 40 years, and we’ll fight aggressively to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Please contact the Jensen Phelan Law Firm using the form on this page or call 928-778-2660 today to schedule your complimentary consultation. We serve clients in Prescott, Cottonwood and the surrounding areas of Arizona.