Statistics show that during the holidays there is a spike in car accidents. Forty-one percent of all accidents involving a fatality occurred on New Year’s while 38 percent occurred on Christmas. If you have plans to travel during this time of year, there are a few precautions you can take to eliminate the risk of getting into an accident.
Traveling when you are too tired is not only unsafe for the occupants of your vehicle but to the other drivers occupying the road. Be mindful that certain prescription medications as well as over the counter drugs can cause drowsiness.
Distracted driving is the cause of far too many accidents and is a dangerous threat on every day of the year including the holidays. Anything that diverts the drivers attention from the wheel can be considered distracted driving – from eating to changing the CD to texting and/or talking on the phone to putting make up on.
During the holidays, alcohol abuse is more common. Drive with care. If you are going out, designate a driver that will not drink that evening. Alternatively AAA offers Tipsy Tow and they will deliver you and your car home safely. Keep in mind you need to be 21 and several people might be using this as there backup plan so you should have a designated driver.
Use caution when changing lanes. Cutting in front of another vehicle or failing to use your signals to indicate where you are turning can cause an accident within seconds.
What To Do After a Car Accident:
Most importantly, don’t leave the scene of the accident, stay put.
Call 911. Wait for an accident report to be completed by authorities. If witnesses are present wait for the information to be captured by authorities as well.
Stay inside the vehicle and wait for police and ambulance to arrive on the scene, especially on busy roads.
Call your insurance provider to report the crash. Find out what protocols need to be followed to get any injuries and/or vehicle damage fixed.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible necessary. In many instances the onset of pain may not be immediate. Each state has an allotted time frame that you must seek medical attention or to speak to an attorney and it varies from state to state or your insurance provider may not pay your bills and the claim for your vehicle.
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