The Most Dangerous Times on the Road | Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
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The Most Dangerous Times on the Road

Written by Jared Staver

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Jared Staver is a Personal Injury Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois and has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Jared Staver

CATEGORY: Auto Accidents, Personal Injury


When you drive on a daily basis, you hardly think about whether you should get behind the wheel. It is simply your main mode of transportation and habit. However, there are certain times of year that are particularly deadly for drivers and passengers. Christmas and the New Year’s holiday are two of these times. It is best to avoid driving around these holidays. If this is not possible, you should thoroughly prepare for what could happen on your trip. Research winter driving safety tips and listen to the experts – there are many ways you can reduce the risk of a car accident.

If you find yourself the victim of a crash despite your preparations, call a lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900 as soon as possible. You do not want to deal with the hassle of insurance claims over your holiday vacation. The attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can do the legwork for you and strive to get you a settlement as soon as possible.

Be Wary of Driving Around Christmas

Christmas is a beautiful holiday. Unfortunately, the winter weather and increased traffic on Illinois roads associated with this occasion leads to a significant increase in serious and deadly car accidents. In 2014, there were 2,166 accidents during the holiday in Illinois. Seven individuals were killed and 594 were injured in these crashes.

Alcohol is a significant factor in holiday accidents. In 2014, one-third of fatal crashes were alcohol related. In 2013, all fatal collisions were alcohol related and in 2012, 20 percent of deadly accidents were caused by drunk driving.

Do You Have to Drive on New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve and day not any safer for driving than around Christmas time. In fact, it can be more dangerous as alcohol is a more common factor. In 2014, there were 3,389 crashes over the New Year holiday. These accidents led to 856 injured individuals and 10 fatalities. Alcohol was related to 50 percent of the fatal crashes. In 2013 and 2012, there were 1,373 crashes during the holiday and 2,635 accidents, respectively. Seven individuals were killed and 263 were injured in 2013 while 2012 witnessed seven fatalities and 502 injuries. The length of those holidays greatly affects the number of accidents and injuries reported. Thus, if the holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, more accidents are typically reported than if the holiday falls on a weekend day and people are not off work during the week.

Avoid the Roads Around the Holidays

It can be hard to plan to see family and friends around Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year without driving. However, avoiding driving in winter weather and dense traffic can save your life. If you need to go into Chicago, plan on using public transportation. You can ride Greyhound, Van Galder/Coach USA, and Mega Bus to get into the city. If you already live in a suburb, have someone drop you off at the nearest bus station or pay to park your vehicle in the lot. Why bother with Chicago traffic if you do not have to? The L can get you around once you are in the city.

If your plans do not involve going into the city and you cannot rely on public transit, plan ahead carefully. Make sure to winterize your vehicle, listen to the weather and traffic reports, and prepare for poor road conditions. Get plenty of sleep the night before you leave so you are not guilty of drowsy driving. Leave early for your destination and take your time getting there. If the weather or traffic gets particularly bad, consider pulling off at a truck stop or town for a break and heading back out when things have calmed down.

Contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. After an Accident

Everyone wants to avoid a car accident around the holidays. However, you may be the unlucky driver or passenger who is hurt in a wintertime collision. If you have been injured in a crash, you will need to look toward the driver responsible for the accident to recover. This usually means filing a third-party claim with that driver’s auto insurance provider, a task that goes much smoother with the help of an experienced lawyer. You will also need an attorney if insurance negotiations do not go well or a settlement from an insurer seems unlikely.
Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. For more information on how to gain compensation after a crash, contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900.

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(312) 236-2900
(312) 236-2900
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