PA Car Accident Attorney Says Expected Increase in Fourth of July Car Travel Raises Need to Keep Safety in Mind

Scranton, PA, June 29, 2012 — Pennsylvania car accident lawyer Caroline Munley today urged the state's residents to keep safety in mind as decreasing gas prices fuel an expected upsurge in drivers on the road this July 4th holiday.

“As more people hit the road to celebrate Independence Day and for early summer vacations, the increase in traffic congestion raises the need to be mindful of safe driving practices,” said Munley, managing partner of the Pennsylvania personal injury firm of Munley Law in Scranton.

“We urge travelers to refrain from fatigued driving, drinking and driving and distracted driving, such as using cell phones for talking or texting while driving, which are all major causes of car accidents,” she said.

The AAA auto club said it expects 42.3 million Americans to travel more than 50 miles from home over the Independence Day period, which extends from Tuesday, July 3, to Sunday, July 8. That's almost 5 percent more than last year, and an increase of about 42 percent from 2009, AAA says.

Regular gas prices average $3.50 a gallon nationwide, down 44 cents from the seasonal peak in April and 16 cents from a year ago, AAA said. The GasBuddy.com website said the average price of a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania as of June 28 was $3.32.

Because of the lower gas prices, AAA expects 84 percent of July 4th holiday revelers to travel by car.

Munley said drinking and driving is a particular concern for the July 4 holiday. She cited a statement from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) that says Independence Day is the second-deadliest day for drunk driving deaths, just behind New Year's Day.

“AAA has said that, in fact, more people lose their lives in motor vehicle crashes on July 4 than on any other day of the year,” Munley said. “It's meant to be a celebratory holiday, and people can go too far and make mistakes.

“Even the safest drivers can be the victim of another driver's negligence or recklessness,” she said.

Munley Law pursues personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of individuals in Pennsylvania and the Northeast who have been injured or have lost family members in automobile crashes.

“More than 70 percent of auto accidents in Pennsylvania result in injury or a fatality,” Munley said.

“Unfortunately, no one who drives is immune from the possibility of a car wreck and serious injury from it. Drivers can protect themselves by following safe driving practices whenever they get behind the wheel.”

Munley said her firm's website has added new car accident content to advise accident victims of their rights and options as well as information about what to do after a car accident.

“If a driver is injured in an accident that was not their fault, they should protect their rights by contacting an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible,” she said.

About Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm's additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents. To contact the law firm, use the firm's online contact form.