Coordinating plans for the holidays can be stressful. With the joyous season approaching, many families are juggling a schedule of gatherings, and that means additional traveling. If you are one of the many drivers on the road during the holiday season, there is always a chance you can be involved in a car accident. While there is never a good time to be an accident victim, adding it to holiday travel stress can multiply the overwhelm you feel. If you’ve been injured in an accident while traveling for the holidays, you can benefit from the help of an experienced car accident attorney.
Why does the holiday season lead to more car accidents? December is one of the most hazardous months for drivers, and the holiday season plays a significant role. Several factors make holiday travel riskier for everyone on the road.
The first is obvious- winter weather. Although poor weather conditions aren’t limited to the holidays, many drivers choose to go forward with their travel plans during the holidays even with unfavorable conditions that might make them avoid travel otherwise. For example, freezing rain may keep you snuggled up with your family on a regular evening, but if you have a family holiday party to attend, you will likely make the trip despite the weather.
Another reason that holiday travel comes with increased risk is the number of cars on the roads. Peak travel days, just by the numbers, mean that there are more drivers who could potentially cause an accident. In addition to that, many drivers may also be unfamiliar with the area if they are traveling. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that these drivers are now unsafe, a driver who is distracted by unfamiliar road conditions, unfamiliar weather conditions if they are from out of the area, or are looking at a GPS instead of focusing on the road, they are more likely to be involved in or cause an accident. Even drivers who are simply stressed and distracted by the holiday itself can be more of a hazard on the roads. If your mind isn’t on the road, you’re driving distracted.
Even the best drivers can be involved in a car accident. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s important to be thorough in the aftermath. The first steps you’ll take after are a balance of caring for yourself and your injuries, and making sure you have the right documentation from the scene. If you are physically able, contact emergency services right away so you can get the medical attention you need while getting law enforcement to the scene for an accident report.
Make sure you get the information from the other driver or drivers, including their name, address, and insurance details. It is critical to prioritize getting medical attention, but if you can, document as much of the scene and your injuries as you can while waiting for emergency services. This can include getting names and contact information from witnesses, as well as their statements, taking pictures of the scene, and documenting everything that happened leading up to the accident. Memories age badly, especially with traumatic events, so the more you can document while the incident is fresh, the better. Make sure that you do not say anything that can be implied as accepting fault, even as basic as apologizing to the other driver, as this can be used against you later.
Do you need a car accident attorney? Not always. Should you get a car accident attorney? Very different question, and the answer is usually yes.
While you can absolutely negotiate with the insurance company on your own, many accident victims who do this end up with a much lower settlement than they deserve. In short, this is because the insurance companies are there to protect themselves and their bottom line – not you. The insurance company’s goal is to try and get you to quickly agree to the first offer they give you, which will typically be the bare minimum they can offer to cover the basic losses you may have faced. If you are dealing with car repairs or the need for replacement, medical bills and more treatment to come, and lost wages from missed work, not to mention the pain and suffering that comes with a car accident, you need an attorney who is willing to fight for you. An experienced car accident attorney understands the insurance company and their tactics and will negotiate on your behalf until you get the settlement you deserve.
No one needs the additional stress of a car accident around the holidays, but if it happens, you don’t need to go through the process on your own. Whether you are from the area or only visiting, an attorney who is local to the accident scene is your best option for a complete settlement that will deliver the compensation you need to move forward. The sooner you can get an attorney working on your side, the better. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Arthur Law Firm (419) 782-9881 right away for a free consultation – it may be the best gift you give yourself this year.