Tips to stay safe and accident free this holiday season
“‘Tis, the season to be jolly” as many would say. And being jolly for many means lots of parties, and celebrations, many of which include alcohol. As a result, individuals lean towards heavier than normal drinking behavior, leading to more auto accident crashes involving alcohol. And because of that, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can be considered one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on Texas roads. In 2014, the month of December yielded 318 fatalities on Texas roads.
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that during this holiday season, you are extra careful on the roads and follow these simple guidelines to insure that you arrive home safely.
Use a designated driver, take a cab or UBER
A safe ride home can be easier than you think. Before attending a holiday celebration where you plan to drink alcoholic beverages, make sure that you have a designated driver available or have the number for a cab service that can take you home safely, or get UBER, the ride sharing services app installed on your phone. Buzzed driving is drunk driving and it can have severe, life changing consequences. You could kill someone or even yourself. This is no joke. Every year tens of thousands of families are affected by the death or injury of a loved one due to an auto accident, many of these as a result of drinking and driving. Don’t ruin your life or someone else’s. Be smart. Avoid a fatal auto accident by using a designated driver or take a cab home. It’s worth it!
Keep your car in winter driving conditions.
From good tires and good brakes, to good windshield wipers and good headlights. Having good tires and brakes improves stopping performance of your vehicle, giving you an advantage in case of a sudden stop. Decreasing the velocity of your vehicle before impact by even a few miles per hour can be the difference between walking away from the accident on your own two feet or on a stretcher. Good windshield wipers and headlights can give you more visibility and improve reaction speeds as well, giving you the advantage. Also, make sure that all your vehicle lighting is in perfect working order including blinkers, stop lights, license plate lights, and side reflectors making your vehicle as visible as possible in the dark, so other drivers can see you.
Avoid peak times for drunk drivers
We don’t mean to be party spoilers, but the longer you stay at a party the more likely you are to drink more. This goes for you and for others that may be on the road. The later it gets the more drunk driving accidents happen. Most of these happen between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., getting higher from midnight to 2 a.m. and peaking between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Nothing can spoil the holiday season more than being involved in an auto accident, or even worse, a fatal auto accident.
So celebrate and enjoy the season responsibly and spread the joy. In the unfortunate case that your or a loved one is involved in an auto accident this holiday season, do not hesitate to call The Leon Law Firm immediately. It is extremely important for victims of an injury or fatal auto accident to seek immediate medical help and immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Waiting even an hour, could reduce the chance of collecting evidence that could make all the difference in the case.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows the law, has the resources and manpower to conduct a full investigation, and most importantly will fight for the victim to get them the maximum compensation possible.
At The León Law Firm in Sugarland Texas, we have 20 years of experience in handling personal injury cases such as auto accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, explosions, burns, loss of limbs, deaths, medical malpractice and more. Over the years, we have tried and settled hundreds of cases on behalf of personal injury victims. Our clients have been awarded millions of dollars collectively. If you or a loved one has been the victim of such accident, call us immediately for a complimentary case evaluation. If we agree to represent you in your case, you will not pay a dime unless we win a settlement on your behalf. Call us today, at 281-980-4529. We look forward to protecting the rights of you and your family.