Ready or not the holidays are approaching. People travel all across the nation to be with family and friends during this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, the AAA estimates that approximately one in three Americans will travel this year — that’s approximately 102 million people! With a number that large you can expect more than just congested traffic.
You may be surprised to learn that neither New Year’s nor the 4th of July is the deadliest holiday of the year. It is in fact Memorial Day that takes the number one spot for deadliest holiday in the United States. So, with major holidays on the horizon, you may be wondering where they fit in as far as deadliest holidays go. The National Safety Council released data showing that Thanksgiving ranks in as the 5th deadliest holiday, New Year’s is the 6th deadliest holiday and Christmas is the 7th.
Causes of Accidents During the Holidays
Holidays are a time for celebration and can often include alcohol. During its analysis, the NSC reports show that during the Thanksgiving period (begins Wednesday at 6pm and ends the Sunday following the holiday at midnight) that 34% of traffic fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. During the Christmas period (exact period of time can vary based on what day of the week the holiday falls on), 31% of traffic fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver and 36% of the reported fatalities over New Year’s involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
Distracted driving is when an individual drives while their attention is divided. Some examples can include cell phone use, adjusting the temperature or audio controls, using the navigation, eating, smoking, zoning out or even paying attention to something other than the road outside such as a person, scenery or event.
Accidents in Maryland
Maryland is an “at-fault” state. This means that in order to receive compensation for an accident, you must prove that the fault is of the other party involved. If there were multiple parties/vehicles involved in an accident, a percentage of fault may be assigned to the parties. This percentage could impact your settlement and may even make you liable to pay part of another’s compensation.
While many states are “at-fault” states, Maryland has a harsh rule in place called contributory negligence. What this means is that if you were determined to be even 1% at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any damages from the other party. This is where having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can help ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
In the state of Maryland, for most personal injury and property damage claims, you have three years to file a lawsuit. If the accident involved a government vehicle however, the statute of limitations drops down, giving you just one year to file a claim.
Some ways in which you can ensure you are prepared for a long car ride can include getting enough sleep, having your GPS set up before setting off with pre-planned stops and properly maintaining your vehicle. You should never get behind the wheel if you’ve consumed alcohol. While ensuring you are properly prepared for travel can be helpful in avoiding an accident, not everyone will plan accordingly, however.
Car Accident Attorney in Prince George’s County, Maryland
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, call Kemet Hunt Law Group, leading car accident attorneys in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Attorneys Kemet & Hunt are experienced in personal injury law and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Kemet Hunt Law Group, Inc. is a Maryland firm whose strong belief in client communication and down-to-earth values make it a unique asset to those who need legal assistance. With a mission to serve their clients with respect, professionalism and skill, the attorneys at Kemet Hunt have used their expertise to successfully represent hundreds of people with family law, criminal, business, bankruptcy, immigration, and other legal issues. To schedule an appointment, please call: 301-982-0888