Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Holiday Season Automobile Accident
Automobile accidents spike during major holidays. Car accidents during the holiday season an change a family forever. Because of the profound consequences of being involved in a car accident, a person should not avoid understanding some of the basic elements of this case.
Two primary reasons exist for the increase in automobile accidents during holidays:
- more drivers on the road
- more intoxicated motorists on the road
Consequently, if a person will be on the road during the upcoming end-of-year holiday season, his or her odds of being involved in an accident are greater than at other periods during the year. In fact, three of the six most dangerous travel holidays are just around the corner:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year
The Six Most Dangerous Holidays on U.S. Roadways
The fact is that individually Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year and the most dangerous holidays as far as roadway travel is concerned in the United States. With that said, during this trifecta of holidays time period, more people are injured or killed in roadway accidents than at any other time during the year.
The most dangerous holidays as far as automobile travel is concerned, in order of highest number of injuries and deaths, are:
- Independence Day
- Memorial Day
- Thanksgiving
- Labor Day
- New Year
- Christmas
Deaths Associated with Major Holiday Travel
Sadly, a considerable number of men, women, and children are killed on U.S. roadways during major holiday time periods. Again, more people are killed during the combined Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year time period than at any other time during the year. Average fatalities during the end-of-year holidays are:
- Thanksgiving - 430
- Christmas - 100
- New Year - 150
Thanksgiving consistently is considered to be the busiest travel day of the year. The average number of fatalities on that date, when contrasted with Christmas and New Year, bears that statistics out. However, when compared with the average number of deaths on Independence Day, at about 540, Thanksgiving standing alone does not top the list.
Injuries in Year-End Holiday Car Accidents
Tens of thousands of men, women, and children are injured in year-end holiday season accidents annually. A good many of these accident victims end up seriously injured and in need of a holiday car accident lawyer, like a member of the legal team at The Doan Law Firm.
Intoxicated and distracted motorists make up the lion's share of negligent drivers causing accidents during the year-end holiday season. Weather also plays a role in car accidents in some parts of the country during this time period. A good many motorists end up operating their vehicles at speeds beyond what is safe given the prevailing weather conditions.
Compensation for Holiday Season Automobile Accidents
The types of compensation to which a person is entitled following a holiday season automobile accident depend upon the circumstances of a particular collision. With that noted, an injured person oftentimes is entitled to a spectrum of compensation that includes:
- medical bills
- pain and suffering
- emotional distress
- permanent disability
- lost wages
In addition to receiving compensation for current losses, an injured person is also likely able to make a claim for losses reasonable expected to be incurred into the future. For example, following a car accident, a person very well need medical care and treatment into the future. That is a compensable expense.
In addition, an injured person is likely to continue to lose income and experience pain and suffering into the future as well. That individual is entitled for compensation for these accident-related losses that continue to accrue in the future as well.
Finally, when it comes to compensation, an injured person may also be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages represent additional compensation awarded by a court in some personal injury lawsuits. Punitive damages are awarded when the conduct of the person who caused an automobile accident was particularly reckless. Punitive damages are awarded in part to punish the wrongdoer for his particularly egregious conduct.
Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer
Following a holiday season car accident, an injured person is wise to seek the professional assistance of a skilled, experienced, and compassionate personal injury attorney, like a lawyer at The Doan Law Firm. The attorneys at The Doan Law Firm are well versed in representing people in car accident cases.
An appointment can be scheduled with a lawyer from The Doan Law Firm by calling (800) 349-0000. Appointments can be scheduled any day of the week, 24 hours a day, each and every day of the year. The firm has officers across the country.
An appointment can be scheduled at your home, place of business, or even at the hospital, as a person's situation permits. The Doan Law Firm does not charge a fee for an initial consultation with a client in a car accident case.
Fee for Services in a Holiday Car Accident Case
The Doan Law Firm charges what is known in the legal community as a contingency fee. Under a contingency fee arrangement, an injured person does not have to pay for legal representation unless and until a lawyer obtains a favorable settlement or judgment.
The costs associated with pursuing the case are deducted from any settlement or judgments. As a general rule, The Doan Law Firm fronts the money necessary to pursue legal action.