How to Avoid a Car Accident Over the Holidays
The holiday season is here. This means many of our weekends are spent shopping and planning for upcoming holiday celebrations. It also means more traffic on the roads as more people travel to visit friends and family. This can lead to an increase in car accidents.
Below, we have compiled a list of tips to help you avoid car accidents this holiday.
Avoid Drinking and Driving
Alcohol reduces your reaction time and increases your chances of being in an accident. Even though many holiday parties also include alcohol, avoiding it altogether can help you stay safe this year.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. You may be tempted to reach for your phone to check the address of the party or to respond to the hosts letting them know when they can expect you to arrive. If you’re involved in an accident, you may spend much more this holiday season than you expected. Some of this time may also be spent recovering.
Get Enough Sleep
Work responsibilities, holiday shopping, planning parties, and decorating can make it feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. It’s important to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep so that you can avoid fatigued driving.
Check the Weather
The holidays in New Jersey are commonly accompanied by snowfall and ice. Always check the weather before leaving, so you know what to expect. This also gives you more time to get to your destination, which means you won’t have to speed. If the weather is too bad, consider changing your plans.
Practice Defensive Driving
You can’t necessarily control the actions of other drivers, but you can practice defensive driving to reduce your risk. Defensive driving means staying aware and using safe driving strategies to identify road hazards and dangers quickly. Defensive driving also means looking out for other drivers, damaged roads, debris in the road, or even inclement weather.
Stay Calm
Road rage can lead to you making driving decisions that are less than safe. If you find that you’re much angrier than usual or making unsafe driving decisions, pull over and give yourself a few minutes to breathe. Remind yourself that you don’t have to respond to every person who cuts you off or doesn’t let you into their lane.
Be Prepared this Holiday Season
Preparation is also important as we move further into the holiday season. In addition to ensuring your vehicle is winter ready and you have an emergency kit on board, it’s also a good idea to review the steps you should take following an accident. If you are involved in a car accident this holiday season, report it and then receive any medical care that you may need.
Evaluate your damages, including both property damages and medical bills, and decide if it’s worth it to talk with a personal injury lawyer. If your insurance company isn’t cooperating, or your damages exceed what’s available through your policy, you may want to reach out to a car accident lawyer.
Contact an Essex County Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a car accident in Union County, Mercer County, Hudson County, Essex County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 947-4670 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue #1 Nutley, NJ 07710, as well as an office in Hamilton, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
