Going on a Labor Day Road Trip?

Considered the season's last hurrah before autumn sets in, the Labor Day long weekend is almost here.  It's the perfect time to get one last taste of summer.  Americans will be hitting the road in great numbers.  Now, that some of the COVID-19 restrictions have eased in our area, people are looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends they haven't seen in a while.   According to Travel Agent Central,  72 percent of traveling Americans prefer to to drive this year.

Labor Day is the 5^th Deadliest Holiday

Unfortunately holidays also see an uptick in car crashes resulting in serious injury and death.  Almost 400 people died last year in car accidents during the Labor Day holiday period.  The car has the highest fatality rate per passenger of any major form of transportation. There are over 45,000 injuries that require medical attention from car crashes during the holiday period.  Injuries sustained from car accidents can lead to head and brain damage.  These can include concussions, internal injuries, skull fractures, lacerations, or neck and back injuries such as whiplash, herniated disc, and spinal cord damage.

Drive Sober

Summer holidays often involve parties with alcohol, which can lead to fatal motor-vehicle crashes.  Alcohol-impaired fatalities (involving blood-alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or higher) in 2017 represented 29% of the total traffic fatalities. During the Labor Day period, 36% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver.  According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration one person is killed about every 50 minutes in a drunk driving crash.  This Labor Day holiday, and every day, make it a point to drive sober. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination.  During the Labor Day holiday weekend from 2014-2018, 44% of traffic deaths involved drivers who had been drinking—945 people died.

Stay Focused on the Road

Additionally, distracted driving with increased use of smartphones has become a hot topic in traffic safety. Cell phones and navigation devices are often are the main reason for distracted driving.  However, conventional distractions such as interacting with passengers and eating also contribute to crashes. Distracting tasks can affect drivers in different ways, but all lead to inattentive driving.

Help Make Our Roads Safer

These statistics are preventable—all drivers can help make our roads safer. During the holidays, practice defensive driving, buckle up and designate a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation.   Even though you can't control the other drivers on the road, you can do what you can to avoid car accident injuries. First, always wear your seatbelt. They really do save lives.  Also, be sure to observe the speed limit. Crashes that involve speeding drivers are often much more severe than they would have been if drivers had obeyed the speed limit. Finally, keep your vehicle in working order. Making sure that your car is in good shape helps you avoid injuries from crashes that result from equipment failure or roadside accidents.

Don't Let a Car Accident Turn Your World Upside Down

Getting into a car accident can be a frightening and stressful experience, especially if you are injured. Several questions are probably running through your head at this time: How am I going to pay the medical bills? What if my car can't be salvaged? Will the insurance company deny my claim?  We are here to answer your questions.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash, an experienced car accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to fight for you today. Cost is no object when it comes to hiring a top Pennsylvania car accident attorney at our firm because we do not collect a fee unless we recover financial compensation for you. Call today or use our online form to schedule your free consultation. Our list of most Frequently Asked Questions on car accidents may provide additional help and guidance.