The Most Common Holiday Car Accidents

If you want to drive safely this holiday season, then you need to make sure that you understand some of the top causes of seasonal car accidents. Sure, a car accident can occur at any time of the year, but during the holiday season, you are more likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents, as well as accidents that happen as a result of people having a Christmas tree tied to the roof of their car improperly.

Holiday Car Accident Statistics

Car travel has the highest rate of fatal injuries among all modes of major transportation, per the National Safety Council (NSC). Car travel is a serious issue year-round, but even more so during the holidays when roads across the country are met with an increase of travelers. Whether American drivers are heading to family gatherings or shopping for gifts, increased traffic has been linked to higher rates of accident fatalities time, and time again.

The NSC estimated that about 370 loved ones died in holiday accidents on U.S. roads during the 2021 Christmas holiday period. In addition, the council further estimated that about 420 people might lose their lives in U.S. road accidents during the New Year’s Day holiday in 2022.

The heightened danger is not exclusive to Christmas and New Year’s. It is best to be vigilant all throughout the winter months.

Common Causes of Car Accidents During the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be relaxing and joyful, but at the same time, there are a lot of common holiday accidents during this time. There is a staggering amount of traffic on the nation’s highways, and this can result in a lot of car accidents. Christmas is one of the most joyous times of the year, but also one of the most dangerous holidays for car accidents.

Increased Driving

The last few months of the year typically increase the chances for car accidents. Not only are roads subject to adverse conditions such as snow, ice, sleet and even potholes resulting from the effects of weather on the roads. or wet roads but highway visibility is typically worse due to shorter daylight hours. This is just the time of year when many families are likely to travel long distances for winter holidays.

Pedestrians hitting the sidewalks in search of holiday food and gifts can boost their safety by crossing streets at marked crosswalks accompanied by traffic lights. But safety is much more complicated for vehicle drivers, subject to road conditions, visibility, and traffic.

For drivers, safety generally depends on a mixture of having the right equipment and staying aware of the road and other drivers. Other suggestions include improving visibility by minimizing frost, avoiding roads known to be icy, and understanding that a little steering goes a long way when it comes to slips and slides. As mentioned above, people transporting Christmas trees drive with Christmas trees tied to the roofs of their cars. These can sometimes obscure the driver’s vision or in some instances, become unattached and fall off the car creating havoc on the road for other drivers.

Some of these suggestions are more difficult when traveling long distances to your destination, but a good rule of thumb is to stick to major roads to avoid the worst conditions. That, combined with a healthy skepticism of road conditions and an awareness of other drivers, should get families to their destinations safely.

Snowy, Icy, or Wet Roads

Winter conditions always play a part in higher rates of accidents occuring. A wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice can make road conditions hazardous and impact driver visibility. This is made more dangerous still as people get together for office parties and holiday celebrations that involve drinking. Tis the season, indeed, including for drunk driving accidents.

Spin Out Collisions

When the roads are slick and wet with snow and ice, it is easy to lose control of your vehicle. Many drivers who are driving too fast for the weather conditions or who hit a patch of black ice may throw their car into a spin. If your vehicle begins to spin out of control, it can cause severe and deadly accidents. You can avoid these accidents by always taking turns slowly and reducing your speed by 10-20mph on slick roads.

Rear-End Crashes

Drivers who start sliding or who begin to lose control of their vehicles may hit the brakes quickly to stop the car. Unfortunately, hitting the brakes on wintry wet roads can cause you to skid and may result in a rear-end accident. Stay safe and avoid these accidents by increasing your following distance. Give yourself more room to maneuver out of the way, and never tailgate behind other drivers.

Lane Drifting

Snow and rain can make it difficult to see where you’re going. Winter conditions can cause drivers to drift out of their lane and into oncoming lanes, onto the shoulder, or even off the road completely. When the road isn’t visible, dangerous accidents can occur. Stay safe by going slowly and using deductive reasoning to maintain a safe lane space. Follow other cars’ tracks if necessary.

Distractions

Distracted driving continues to be a problem on the roads and during the winter holidays it’s no exception. A cell phone can cause significant distractions when drivers use them while driving. Never text, surf the internet or change your GPS destination while driving.

Displays of flashing Christmas lights and homes and streetscapes festooned in elaborate holiday decorations can easily draw one’s eyes from the road ahead. And while it’s been called “the most wonderful time of the year,” the holidays also come with a good amount of stress.

Road Rage

During the busy holidays, holiday gift shopping can be exhausting and long check-out lines can be frustrating. With so many people out buying holiday items, jockeying for shopping mall parking spaces, and racing to and from store sales, instances of holiday stress and road rage can lead to negligence and reckless driving that can contribute to an accident. On average, 343 people die in traffic accidents during the holidays every year.

Drunk Driving Accidents

The leading cause of dangerous accidents during the holiday season is that more people drink and drive. Drunk drivers ignore traffic laws or are often distracted, meaning that car accidents during the winter months typically peak around the holidays. Across the country, impaired or drunk drivers cause 38 percent of all holiday traffic fatalities. Drunk drivers can cause serious car accidents and collisions with bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.

Holiday gatherings are the perfect storm for car accidents for many reasons, but here are a few things you can do to try to avoid any traffic fatalities.

Remember, never drink and drive. You should always have a designated driver. Or invest in a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft so you can ensure that you and your family and friends can make it home safely. Wearing a seat belt is also the best way to protect yourself against someone else’s negligence.

Need Help? Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

If you or a family member has had an accident during the holiday season, then we highly advise that you contact our team. We can help you if you have been in a car accident that has resulted in injuries, while also helping you to get the compensation that you are rightly entitled to. You can contact us at (614) 739-9118 for a free consultation. We are always available to advise you on a new claim, or an existing one.