Be Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season

For many, this time of year is a time to take a break from work, get together with family, have a special meal, attend a religious service, or open presents. Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or Christmas, you will probably be traveling at some point this holiday season. While it may be the last thing on your mind as you are driving, being on the roads during times of increased traffic can be quite dangerous. The National Safety Council reports that there were 314 traffic fatalities during the days surrounding Christmas in 2016. Even more astoundingly, there were approximately 37,000 injuries caused by traffic accidents.  

As you go about your holiday plans, please be aware of the increased amount of drivers on the road and keep yourself safe. In order to increase your chances of having a safe, incident-free holiday trip, take the following steps:

• Confirm that your vehicle is properly maintained. If you have not had your car serviced recently, take your car to be inspected by a mechanic before any long trips. Before leaving, check the tire pressure and tread depth, replace old wiper blades, refill the windshield washer fluid, and test the car’s battery;
• Map your route in advance and be prepared for traffic jams, slowed traffic, and an increase in fender benders. Avoid traveling during the busiest times of the day, such as during rush hours, or traveling during bad weather.
• Make sure that your cell phone is charged, and have important contact information at hand in case of an emergency;
• Consider making an emergency car kit including blankets, flashlights, batteries, flares, reflective markers, drinking water, and tools; and
• Always wear your seatbelt, and be sure that children are in the appropriate car seat for their size.

Hopefully, your holiday plans go as smoothly as possible this year. If you do exprience a car accident this holiday season, make sure to stay at the scene of the accident, call the police, exchange information with the other driver, and seek treatment for any injuries. Also, take pictures of your injuries and damage to your vehicle, and gather statements and contact information from any witnesses. If you wish to seek compensation for your injuries, you will need to hire a knowledgeable lawyer.

At Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP, we protect the rights of auto accident victims. Our Monterey County auto accident lawyers aggressively pursue the compensation that victims of traffic accidents deserve. If you have been injured in an auto accident, schedule a free and personalized consultation by calling (408) 298-7200 today.

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