What do you love most about Thanksgiving? Although everyone enjoys the mouthwatering food and inspired cocktails, your answer probably has more to do with the company.
Autumn place setting with leaves, candles and pumpkins.
Most people get at least four consecutive days off for the holiday, which makes it the perfect time to visit family whom they have not seen in a while. If you plan on taking a little road trip to see loved ones, though, make sure you plan your trip strategically to avoid hazards like congestion and drunk drivers.
The idea that you could end up in a serious and even fatal collision on such a happy holiday is unthinkable, but Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday for motorists all over the country. According to Forbes, an average of 567 fatalities have occurred on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1982.
There are several reasons why the roads are more dangerous on Thanksgiving than on any other holiday. Fortunately, motorists can take steps to avoid some of the most common causes of collisions, like impaired motorists and heavy traffic, by only driving at certain times of day; however, such safety precautions are not foolproof. Even if you remain alert when behind the wheel and follow all local traffic laws, you can still end up in a devastating collision with a drunk, distracted, or reckless motorist.
If you were hurt in a car accident with a negligent driver, contact Heilman Law Group. A Jackson accident law attorney can assess the circumstances of the crash to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a case evaluation.
Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of collisions on Thanksgiving weekend:
- Congestion
According to ABC News, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after it are the busiest days to travel over the holiday weekend. More drivers on the road means more congestion, and more congestion means more opportunities for motor vehicle collisions.
- Fatigue
Even people who do not have to travel more than an hour or two can end up getting drowsy while behind the wheel, especially if they hit the road after putting in a full day at work. Because it slows reaction time, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, and you should only ever travel after getting a good night’s sleep.
- Impairment
No family gathering—or holiday feast, for that matter—is complete without a few cocktails. Unfortunately, individuals who fail to plan ahead or acknowledge their limits over Thanksgiving weekend can end up driving while impaired, putting both themselves and those around them in serious danger.
- Distractions
There are countless distractions begging for your attention nowadays. Glancing down at your phone for no more than two seconds could prove to be fatal on the holiday weekend when you take into account the heavy traffic, drowsy drivers, and impaired motorists on the road around you.
If you were hurt in an accident with a drowsy, drunk, or distracted driver, contact Heilman Law Group for quality legal counsel during every stage of the claims process. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer in Jackson. If you want to learn more about car accident claims in Mississippi, visit usattorneys.com/car-accident/mississippi.
