Although driving is an already dangerous activity, there are some days of the year that are inherently more dangerous than others. It stands to reason that the riskiest days to be on the road are major American holidays, and the statistics bear this notion out. According to statistics collected between 1982 and 2008:

1. Thanksgiving Day averages 567 deaths
2. Labor Day averages 544 deaths
3. Independence Day averages 542 deaths
4. Memorial Day averages 508 deaths
5. Christmas Day averages 414 deaths
6. New Year’s Day averages 401 deaths

The reasons behind these statistics are quite simple:

• People tend to drink more on the holidays. Celebrations, parties and get-togethers are the order of the day, and of course beer, wine and other alcohol often make an appearance as well. This is a cocktail for disaster.
• More people tend to be more concentrated in central locations during the holidays. That means that more people are leaving from similar locations, and that increases already crowded roadways.
• For at least half of the holidays the weather is generally not the best for driving in half the country, and inclement road conditions can severely affect the ability of people to drive safely.
• People on the holidays tend to have different moods than they do normally. Either good mood or bad, people on the holidays tend to take more risks, drive in ways they wouldn’t normally, fail to wear their seatbelts or drive places they normally wouldn’t.

In any case, the risk of driving on the roads during the holidays significantly increased the possibility of serious injury or death. While there is no way to fully avoid the dangers of other drivers on the road, there are a number of steps that you can take to safeguard your life and the life of your family.

• Don’t speed. The old expression is true, speed does kill. Slowing down and yielding the right of way can help reduce the stress of other drivers on the road, and can make the drive to and from your destination that much easier and safer.
• Always wear your seatbelt. Even if you are simply driving down to the corner store to get another can of sweet potato pie for the Thanksgiving meal, buckle up. Seatbelts save lives, and are a simple and easy way to increase the likelihood that you will survive an accident.
• Never drink and drive. Drinking and driving significantly increases the chance that you are going to cause an accident, and seriously injure or kill yourself or someone else. It’s also illegal. Get a designated driver, stay the night wherever you are, or just don’t drink. Save yourself, and save someone else.

If you have been injured in an accident during one of the most dangerous driving days of the year, you need to know that you have rights. Even though you are dealing with a difficult situation and likely have a number of serious concerns in your mind, you have to make sure that you have the financial means to pay for your medical bills, lost income at work and transportation while your vehicle situation resolves. Furthermore, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. One way to ensure that you are able to take care of yourself and your family is to contact an auto accident lawyer and get started on your case immediately.

For more than 25 years, auto accident attorney Bryan Snyder has worked with people facing damages, both physical and material caused by negligent drivers. As an auto accident lawyer, Bryan Snyder has successfully represented victims and families of those injured in Southern California.