The Holiday Season Brings Goodwill, Cheer, and Increased Accident Risks

Holiday decorations

The winter holiday season is here. Many of us look forward to this time of year, giving us a chance to spend time and reconnect with family and friends. But all the hustle and bustle of preparing, shopping, and traveling also spikes our risk of being injured in an accident.

And the accidents can happen anywhere – on the road, at home, in shopping malls, at a friend’s house, or a work event. The key to staying safe is being aware and paying attention.

Vehicle Accidents

Statistically, the busiest travel days are those around the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, it is projected that more than 50 million will take to the roads. In addition to everyone celebrating the holiday with loved ones, millions more will take to the streets on Black Friday in search of those incredible bargains. The heavy traffic doesn’t disappear when Thanksgiving weekend is over – it’s just begun.

Although drivers should always be alert and aware of the road around them, it is especially important this time of the year. Be aware of how quickly the traffic ahead, which was moving along, suddenly comes to a stop.

This is particularly true in areas where there are shopping malls and plazas. Watch for drivers who try to “beat the light” at intersections or quickly dart out of mall parking lots.

And speaking of parking lots, not only are they a prime location this time of year for a fender bender, they are especially dangerous for pedestrians. Too many drivers are focused on trying to find a parking lot and not paying attention to the people who are walking.

Slip and Fall Accidents

The holiday season also means wintery weather. Freezing cold temperatures, icy rain, and snow all wreak havoc on roads and sidewalks. Not only can these weather conditions affect road conditions for driving, they also create dangerous surfaces for people to walk on.

Whether you are going into a business or a residence, the owner of the property has a duty to keep the walkways free of hazards. But with the bad weather, we often experience in New York, even the most diligent property owner may have a hard time keeping up. So, keep that in mind when you are out that what you think may be a cleared walkway could actually be coated with a sheet of ice.

Contact a New York Personal Injury Attorney Today

No matter how careful we try to be, there is always that chance we are going to be injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence.

If you have been injured, contact a New York personal injury attorney from Goldstein and Bashner to discuss what legal recourse you may have against the party or parties responsible for the accident. We are available to meet and discuss your case and how we may be able to help.

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