With the holiday season upon us once again, millions of Americans will be celebrating by driving or flying many miles to visit their loved ones. In addition to traveling, many Americans will participate in Black Friday sales and busy holiday shopping. What we all need to be aware of is the increased risk of injury during this festive and lively time of year.
Increase in Driver Negligence
The most traveled holiday period of the year is Thanksgiving weekend. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, around 91% of travels made during Thanksgiving are made by vehicle. However, DUI arrests are at their highest between Thanksgiving and the end of New Year’s weekend.
It starts with the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, the night where many young adults flock to restaurants, bars, or clubs. A report by the U.S. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that 40% of traffic-related fatalities during Christmas and New Year’s involve drunk drivers.
Driving while intoxicated can result in serious injuries and fatalities. Law enforcement typically increases their numbers on the street in order to prevent drunk driving from occurring.
Dangerous Shopping Conditions
Black Friday offers unbeatable deals that have everyone flocking to retail stores throughout the country. Then, from Thanksgiving until the New Year, the holiday shopping season is completely underway.
However, shoppers may be at risk of injury due to the large crowds on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season, resulting in crushing incidents. Furthermore, due to inclement weather and holiday decorations, serious injuries can be caused by slip and falls.
Defective Products
While receiving gifts is always a great pleasure, there are occasions when the gift turns out to be defective and causes serious injury. When one buys a product, he or she expects it to be safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 100,000 children – ages 14 and under – are treated for injuries related to defective toys every year. Most common forms of injury include choking and suffocation.
If you have suffered any one of these injuries because of the actions of a negligent party in Charleston, contact Berthold Law Firm today.