As year 2024 approaches, we are all getting ready to ring in the New Year with fun holiday festivities. This is always an exciting time of year to spend with family and friends. Some may choose to stay home to celebrate New Year’s Eve, while many others will venture out to Boston’s First Night or local Massachusetts town and city restaurants, bars, clubs, or private get togethers.
Whatever you, your family, or friends have planned, please take some time to arrange for safe travel during this holiday. With all the excitement, it can be easy to forget or ignore the inherent dangers that are statistically present during New Year’s Eve. Taking precautions can save your life and the lives of others.
Alarming Car Crash Statistics on New Year’s Eve
It’s no secret that many New Year’s Eve festivities involve alcohol. While there is generally nothing wrong with this, alcohol is a major contributing factor to the scary car accident and injury statistics. Some statistical data indicate that New Year’s Eve causes more alcohol-related car crashes than most other nights of the year.
The National Safety Council estimates that 375 people may die on U.S. roads this New Year’s Day holiday period. The risk of serious injuries from car crashes always increases around this time of year as well. A major contribution to this estimate is alcohol consumption coupled with car travel. Statistically, car travel has the greatest fatality rate compared to other forms of travel.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration has historically reported more motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities from Christmas to New Year’s Day. Again, drunk driving is one of the major contributing factors to these alarming statistics.
It is easy for the excitement of the holidays to overshadow the crash, injury, and fatality statistics. However, we urge everyone to be safe and make wise decisions while out celebrating the New Year. Our Framingham injury lawyers have been helping accident victims and their families for decades in car accident injury cases and wrongful death cases. We see firsthand the devastation severe car crashes have on people’s lives and their family’s lives.
Alcohol Is a Major Cause of Car Crashes
New Year’s Eve is often celebrated with alcoholic drinks. Traditionally, many will toast in the new year with champagne. This is usually done as the clock strikes midnight after hours of drinking. Sure, there is nothing wrong with this as long as it is done responsibly. However, it is the irresponsible actors that present dangers to others on the Massachusetts highways and roadways.
The reason alcohol is considered a major contributing cause to the many crash and injury statistics during the New Year holiday season is because alcohol impairs our ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. It weakens our capacity to react and interferes with decision-making skills. An impaired driver is often unable to focus and react appropriately to traffic signals, other drivers, or obstructions on the roads. This can result in careless maneuvers causing car crashes and injuries. For example, our Framingham accident attorneys have handled many cases where a drunk driver fails to react in time to stopped traffic resulting in rear-end collisions and injuries.
If you plan on having some drinks to celebrate the New Year, make sure you arrange for safe travels. This day and age, there are many alternative means of transportation. Drinking and driving should not be one.
No Matter How Safe We Are, Accidents Still Happen
Despite how careful we are and how safely we plan for the holidays, we cannot control the actions of others. Even when we take the necessary precautions and make arrangements for a safe ride home, accident statistics during the New Year’s holiday create the probability of being injured in an accident caused by another driver.
We recently represented a woman who called an Uber for a ride home. While driving in Stoneham, Massachusetts, another negligent driver crashed into the Uber while our client was seated in the back seat. The crash caused the Uber car to flip onto its side and our client was seriously injured. This is just an example of how, even when you are not behind the wheel, accidents can still happen.
Pedestrians are also at risk of being injured by drunk or careless drivers over the New Year holiday. Our office represented a young woman who was struck by a car walking on a Boston city sidewalk on New Year's Day.
Experienced Massachusetts Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help
If you are unfortunately injured in a car crash this holiday season or during New Year’s because of a drunk driver or a careless, negligent driver, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses suffered in the crash. You should consult an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney. A qualified accident attorney will explain the injury claim process, inform you of your legal rights, evaluate your accident case, and guide you through the legal process.
Oftentimes, injuries suffered in car crashes result in very expensive medical bills and loss of income from missed time at work. You shouldn’t suffer the financial burden of medical bills and lost wages because of a drunk or negligent driver. You deserve and have the legal right to be compensated.
Car accidents and injury claims in Massachusetts are unique, and it's important to consult competent and qualified legal professionals who can provide personalized advice suited for your case. Our Framingham accident attorneys offer the legal services to handle all the insurance and legal aspects of your personal injury claim to allow you to focus on your health and medical recovery.
After a motor vehicle crash, there may be several auto insurance companies calling and a lot of insurance paperwork and documents coming in the mail or being emailed to you. Additionally, you may be receiving bills from an ambulance company, hospitals, and doctor’s offices. You don’t have to stress over all of this. Our lawyers and staff will take care of the legal and insurance matters so you can focus on a stress-free treatment plan and recover from your injuries. We will work on getting you the money they deserve for your injuries and losses.
We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2024.
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