Traveling to see loved ones is common during holidays. In addition, many people may be traveling more often during the holiday season to shop, attend holiday events, and more. On top of that, many consume alcohol and stay out late to enjoy holiday parties.
These factors can increase the odds that motor vehicle collisions will occur. Other types of accidents may also be more common during the holidays, too. For example, slip-and-falls at crowded retail stores may occur more frequently during holiday shopping.
What are the most dangerous holidays in the U.S.? According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the most dangerous holiday periods are:
New Year’s Day
The NSC doesn’t consider a “holiday period” to consist of a single day. Per the NSC, a holiday period includes the time during which many may be traveling for or celebrating a holiday.
For example, New Year’s Day is on a Monday in 2024. The NSC states that the New Year’s Day holiday period will begin the Friday before.
Accordingly, the NSC predicts 375 people may lose their lives in traffic crashes on U.S. roads during the 2024 New Year’s Day holiday period. The NSC does not estimate how many people may survive such crashes but sustain major injuries.
The NSC estimated approximately 469 individuals would die in motor vehicle wrecks during the 2023 Memorial Day holiday period. Traffic death rates may be higher during holiday periods in warm months as more people may be likely to travel in agreeable weather.
Research supports this notion. According to a National Library of Medicine study, motor vehicle crashes are more common on hot days.
Independence Day is another popular warm-weather holiday. For the 2023 Independence Day holiday period, the NSC estimated traffic crashes would claim 619 lives on U.S. roads. This makes it one of the deadliest United States holidays.
The NSC predicted 455 people would die in traffic accidents during the 2023 Labor Day holiday period. Using the NSC’s definition of a holiday period, the Labor Day holiday period always lasts 3.25 days. It begins the Friday evening before Labor Day and lasts through the holiday.
When you’re traveling during the holidays, remember that people may already be celebrating a holiday even if the actual day hasn’t arrived yet. Thus, intoxicated drivers leaving or heading to holiday celebrations may be on the road in greater numbers than usual.
Thanksgiving is a relatively long holiday period that always spans 4.25 days. The NSC estimated that 507 people would lose their lives in Thanksgiving accidents during the 2023 holiday period.
For the 2023 Christmas Day holiday period, the NSC predicts 345 traffic deaths. As the NSC also points out, many who travel during the holidays opt to do so by car.
Car travel has a higher fatality rate than many other forms of transportation. If you have the option to travel by train or plane during the holidays, consider doing so. Staying away from roads this time of year could minimize your chances of sustaining harm.
Other ways to avoid being hurt during the holiday season include:
- Keep an eye out for hazardous conditions at crowded holiday events
- Check weather reports before traveling
- Wear footwear with a strong grip if snow or ice accumulates
- Carefully read the safety instructions before using any products you receive as gifts
- Carefully install holiday lighting and decor to guard against fires or other such accidents
- Try not to drive between the hours of 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM, as accidents may be more likely to occur during these hours
- Purchase shovels and other snow and ice removal equipment so you can respond promptly when snow storms strike
- Make sure the outdoor lighting at your property is adequate
See a doctor right away if you’re involved in even a minor accident during the holidays. This is necessary regardless of whether you think you’ve been injured. You could sustain an injury without realizing it. If there’s any chance you’ve been hurt, err on the side of caution and seek medical care.
Contact an NYC Personal Injury Lawyer
Keeping the above safety tips in mind can reduce your chances of getting hurt during any holiday period. However, taking such steps doesn’t guarantee you’ll avoid harm.
Have you sustained injuries during the holidays due to the negligence of another party? You may be entitled to compensation. Because New York is a no-fault state, if you were hurt in a car wreck, you don’t even need to prove negligence to get money from your insurer for your medical expenses.
Negotiating with an insurance company may be the last thing on your mind at this moment. Now is the time to focus on your recovery. Our NYC personal injury lawyers at Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb can pursue compensation on your behalf. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us today at 800-PAIN-LAW for a free case review.
Kusafiri ili kuwaona wapendwa ni jambo la kawaida wakati wa likizo. Kwa kuongezea, huenda watu wengi wakasafiri mara nyingi zaidi wakati wa majira ya likizo ili kununua vitu, kuhudhuria matukio ya likizo, na kadhalika. Isitoshe, wengi hunywa kileo na kukaa nje hadi usiku ili kufurahia karamu za likizo. Mambo hayo yanaweza kuongeza uwezekano wa aksidenti za magari kutokea. Aina nyingine za aksidenti zaweza pia kuwa za kawaida zaidi wakati wa likizo, pia. Kwa mfano, huenda watu wakakosa usalama katika maduka yaliyojaa watu wakati wa mapumziko. Ni sikukuu gani hatari zaidi nchini Marekani? Kulingana na Baraza la Usalama wa Taifa (NSC), vipindi hatari zaidi vya likizo ni: Siku ya Mwaka Mpya NSC haichukulii "kipindi cha likizo" kuwa na siku moja. "Kulingana na NSC, ""wakati wa likizo"" ni wakati ambao watu wengi wanaweza kusafiri au kusherehekea likizo." Kwa mfano, Siku ya Mwaka Mpya ni Jumatatu katika 2024. NSC inasema kwamba kipindi cha likizo ya Siku ya Mwaka Mpya kitaanza Ijumaa kabla. Shirika la usalama la Marekani (NSA) limesema watu 375 wanaweza kuuawa katika ajali za barabarani nchini Marekani wakati wa likizo ya mwaka mpya ya 2024. Shirika la Usalama wa Taifa halikadiria idadi ya watu ambao wanaweza kuishi katika ajali kama hizo lakini kupata majeraha makubwa. Kwa mujibu wa ripoti ya shirika la usalama la Marekani, watu 469 watakufa katika ajali za magari wakati wa likizo ya Siku ya Ukumbusho ya mwaka 2023. Viwango vya vifo vya barabarani vinaweza kuwa vya juu zaidi wakati wa likizo katika miezi ya joto kwani watu wengi wanaweza kusafiri katika hali ya hewa nzuri. Utafiti unaunga mkono wazo hilo. Kulingana na utafiti uliofanywa na Maktaba ya Kitaifa ya Tiba, aksidenti za magari hutukia zaidi siku zenye joto. Siku ya Uhuru ni sikukuu nyingine maarufu ya hali ya hewa ya joto. Katika kipindi cha likizo ya Siku ya Uhuru ya mwaka wa 2023, NSC ilikadiria ajali za barabarani zitapata maisha ya watu 619 katika barabara za Marekani. Hilo hufanya liwe mojawapo ya sikukuu zenye vifo vingi zaidi nchini Marekani. Shirika la National Safety Council (NSC) limedai kuwa watu 455 watakufa katika ajali za barabarani wakati wa likizo ya Siku ya Wafanyakazi ya 2023. Kwa mujibu wa NSC, siku ya likizo ya Siku ya Wafanyakazi ni siku 3.25 tu. Inaanza Ijumaa jioni kabla ya Siku ya Wafanyakazi na huendelea hadi siku ya sikukuu. Unapokuwa usafiri wakati wa likizo, kumbuka kwamba watu wanaweza kuwa tayari kusherehekea likizo hata kama siku halisi haijafika bado. Kwa hiyo, huenda dereva aliyelewa akiondoka au akienda kwenye sherehe za sikukuu akawa barabarani kwa idadi kubwa kuliko kawaida. Shukrani ni likizo ya muda mrefu ambayo huchukua siku 4.25 kila mwaka. Kwa mujibu wa ripoti ya shirika la usalama la Marekani, watu 507 walipoteza maisha katika ajali za siku ya Shukrani wakati wa likizo ya mwaka 2023. Katika kipindi cha likizo ya Krismasi ya 2023, NSC inatarajia vifo vya magari 345 katika eneo la New York. Kwa mujibu wa shirika la usalama la taifa, watu wengi wanaosafiri wakati wa likizo huamua kufanya hivyo kwa gari. Kusafiri kwa gari kuna kiwango cha juu cha vifo kuliko njia nyingine nyingi za usafiri. Ikiwa una nafasi ya kusafiri kwa gari-moshi au ndege wakati wa likizo, fikiria kufanya hivyo. Kuepuka barabara wakati huu wa mwaka kunaweza kupunguza uwezekano wa kujeruhiwa. Njia nyingine za kuepuka kujeruhiwa wakati wa likizo ni pamoja na: - Angalia hali hatari katika matukio ya likizo yenye umati - Angalia ripoti za hali ya hewa kabla ya kusafiri - Vaa viatu vyenye kukamata nguvu ikiwa theluji au barafu hukusanyika - Soma kwa uangalifu maelekezo ya usalama kabla ya kutumia bidhaa zozote unazopokea kama zawadi - Weka taa na mapambo ya likizo kwa uangalifu ili kujilinda dhidi ya moto au ajali nyingine kama hiyo - Jaribu kuwasiliana na daktari mara moja. Hii ni muhimu bila kujali kama unafikiri umejeruhiwa. Unaweza kujeruhiwa bila kujua. Ikiwa kuna uwezekano wowote kwamba umejeruhiwa, uwe mwangalifu na utafute matibabu. Kuweka vidokezo vya usalama hapo juu katika akili inaweza kupunguza nafasi yako ya kujeruhiwa wakati wa likizo yoyote. Hata hivyo, kuchukua hatua hizo hakuhakikishi kwamba utaepuka madhara. Je, umejeruhiwa wakati wa likizo kwa sababu ya uzembe wa mtu mwingine? Unaweza kuwa na haki ya fidia. New York ni jimbo la watu wasio na hatia, na ikiwa umejeruhiwa katika ajali ya gari, hauhitaji kuthibitisha kuwa umekosa ili kupata pesa kutoka kwa mtoaji wako wa bima kwa gharama zako za matibabu. Kujadili na kampuni ya bima inaweza kuwa jambo la mwisho katika akili yako kwa sasa. Sasa ni wakati wa kukazia fikira kupona kwako. Wanasheria wa NY ya Harris, Keenan na Goldfarb wanaweza kukusanya na kukusanya pesa kwa ajili yako. Kujiunga na sisi kwa njia ya simu au kwa simu ya 800PIN-LAW kwa ajili ya ukaguzi wa bure wa kesi.