Millions of Americans hit the road on Memorial Day weekend. This is the perfect time to visit family and celebrate the approach of summer, but travelling over this busy holiday comes with inherent risks.
Motor-vehicle accidents tend to spike at this time of year. In fact, according to USA Today, Memorial Day is one of the most dangerous holidays in the United States. In 2012, there were 367 fatalities over Memorial Day weekend.
Car crashes contribute to more Memorial Day injuries and deaths than any other factor. Fortunately, there are several ways to minimize your risk of a collision:
- Avoid distractions;
- Increase your following distance;
- Stop frequently;
- And use your headlights.
If the worst happens and you sustain injuries over the holiday weekend, contact Morris Bart, LLC. A Baton Rouge personal-injury attorney will evaluate your wreck to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, health-care bills and other damages.
Here are four safety tips that can help you avoid collisions over Memorial Day weekend:
Avoid Distractions
The American Red Cross reminds drivers that distractions are deadly. Texting, browsing social media, eating and drinking, and even passengers can draw your attention long enough to cause a crash.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of distracted-driving accidents:
- Do not eat or drink behind the wheel;
- Do not gawk at accident scenes;
- Put your cell phone in the glove box before you start the engine;
- Instruct passengers to behave;
- And ask passengers to adjust audio and climate settings.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Increase Your Following Distance
Do not tailgate. Maintaining a safe following distance will give you enough time to react if the leading vehicle stops suddenly. Also, it can prevent you from rear-ending the leading vehicle if a driver hits you from behind.
Stop Frequently
Stopping often will help you stay alert. Try to rest every two hours – even if you do not feel tired.
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Use Your Headlights
Use your headlights if you are driving at night, in bad weather, or at dusk or dawn. Only use your high beams if you are alone on the road because they can blind oncoming drivers.
Inform Family Members of Your Route
Send your route to family and friends via text or email. Make sure they know your expected arrival time, and send a message whenever you rest.
If your family suspects an accident, they will be able to estimate where you may have crashed, contact the hospital, and provide details about your medical history, allergies, current medications and other important information.
If you are planning a road trip on Memorial Day weekend, these tips could save your life. Unfortunately, nobody can control the actions of other drivers.
If you sustain an injury in a crash, contact a Baton Rouge accident lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. We strive to provide all of our clients with the attention, compassion and respect they deserve. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
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to find a Morris Bart office near you.
