Be Prepared: Accident Statistics During the Holidays

Accident statistics during the holidays show that Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day are dangerous times to travel when it comes to fatal crashes. If you have plans for holiday travel, be aware of the risks you may face on the road.

If you were the victim of someone else’s negligence in a crash, seek legal counsel today. Personal injury attorneys in Clarksburg, WV can evaluate your case to determine if you have the right to seek compensation.

A Look at Accident Statistics during the Holidays

The most current statistics available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the month of December can be especially dangerous for motorists. During the holiday period 2001

through 2005, it was found that 41 percent of the fatalities occurred on New Year’s and 38 percent on Christmas.

The rest of December comprised 28 percent of fatalities, and the remaining 31 percent occurred at some other point during the year.

Accident statistics during the holidays show that more than 40 percent of the fatalities during Christmas and New Year’s involved alcohol. Clearly, there is an increase in impaired drivers during this time of the year. Personal injury attorneys in Clarksburg, WV can help if at any time you or a loved one was injured by an impaired driver.

Certain age groups have a higher risk of drinking and driving during the holiday season. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 tend to be more often involved in fatal crashes related to alcohol use.

In fact, accident statistics during the holidays show that in the time period between Dec. 15, 2006 and Jan. 1, 2007, there were 37 fatalities in this age group involving alcohol. The second-highest age group was 25- to 34-year-olds.

Common Causes of Crashes during the Holidays

With more vehicles on the road, this increases the risk of a crash. It becomes even more dangerous when fatigued drivers are traveling long distances or if they are rushing to get somewhere.

It doesn’t help when weather conditions are poor, such as ice- or snow-covered roads. Combine two or more of these factors, and you have the potential for a serious accident.

The NHTSA has started efforts already to curb drinking and driving during the holiday season. The “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving,” campaign runs from Dec. 1 until Dec. 11.

It will then be followed by “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” a campaign that runs from Dec. 12, 2012 until Jan. 1, 2013. Impaired driving is a serious issue. In 2010, an average of one death every 51 minutes occurred because of an alcohol-impaired driving crash.

Being aware of the risks of holiday travel can make your trip safer. But if you or someone you love becomes a victim, then you will want to seek legal advice from personal injury attorneys in Clarksburg, WV.

We can evaluate your case and determine if the careless or reckless actions of someone else were the cause of your injuries. We also can determine if compensation may be available.

No one should have to be concerned about getting into an accident during the holiday season. But at the same time, motorists cannot ignore the truth of accident statistics during the holidays. Personal injury lawyers in Clarksburg, West Virginia, are available for counsel on auto or truck accidents that happen during the holidays or otherwise.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Miley Legal Group
The Miley Legal Group focuses on the needs of our clients, no matter how big or small the case. Our clients get to concentrate on healing from their injuries instead of worrying about what is going to happen next. The Miley Legal Group takes the fear out of the legal process and ensures that our client's legal rights are being protected. Our firm is dedicated solely to personal injury cases such as: car accidents, tractor trailer accidents, defective products and medical malpractice claims.

Tim Miley began The Miley Legal Group with the mission dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal services possible to injury victims. He brings over 19 years of experience and skill to the personal injury cases he represents. He has compiled an organization singularly focused on the legal rights of injured people and has helped clients achieve in excess of over $10 million in settlements and verdicts.

Copyright The Miley Legal Group



Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time it was written. It is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome as individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. Readers considering legal action should consult with an experienced lawyer to understand current laws and.how they may affect a case. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.