The Fourth of July is the time when Americans come together to celebrate the nation and the freedoms we all share. One of the quintessential American rights is the freedom to take to the open road. Unfortunately, that freedom to drive doesn’t guarantee freedom from car accidents.
Below, you can find all of the information you need to know about Fourth of July car accidents and roadway safety.
If you’re involved in a car or truck accident this Fourth of July weekend, you certainly won’t be alone. Every Fourth of July weekend, thousands of Texans are involved in car accidents across the state. Today your empathetic Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns, PLLC , will fill you in on all of the information you need to know about Fourth of July car accidents and tips to stay safe on the road. If you’re in a car crash this weekend, we can help you find options for relief.
Unfortunately, 2020 saw an increase in all sorts of roadway danger and reckless driver behaviors. Due to traffic being thinner in many places, more drivers felt emboldened to speed and use their phones while driving, and the stress of the global health crisis may have contributed to driver distraction.
That same bump in accidents was seen during the 2020 Fourth of July weekend. In 2020, 50 people died in Texas car accidents. In comparison, the 2019 weekend which included an additional day saw just 40 fatalities, and 2018 saw just 11 due to a relatively short holiday period.
Tragically, the Fourth was far from the deadliest holiday weekend of 2020 in Texas. Over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday (compared to four days for the Fourth), 77 people lost their lives in car accidents.
One fact that may be surprising is that a relatively small portion of these accidents involved alcohol. In 2020, just 12% of accidents involved driving under the influence of alcohol. With this in mind, those hoping to stay safe on the road this Fourth of July weekend shouldn’t relax just because they aren’t driving after drinking. Instead, follow the tips below to stay safe.
While you should always be careful when on the road, holiday periods often bring with them special risks. First, many people travel for the holidays, meaning that there may be drivers on the road unfamiliar with the area and traffic patterns. Second, drinking and driving is always an increased risk during the holidays, and more drunk drivers may be on the road even if you don’t partake yourself.
Finally, getting distracted while driving during the holidays can also be an increased danger. Talking with passengers, checking directions, and taking phone calls can all put you at greater risk of an accident.
Follow the tips below to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday weekend.
While you might not be aware of it most of the time, one of the most important rights American citizens have is the right to sue others for compensation for harm. If a person causes you harm due to their actions or negligence, then you should be able to seek justice.
Car accidents can be caused by countless different factors, and proving liability can vary from case to case. However, if you’re injured in a Fourth of July car or truck accident, you can count on the car accident attorneys of Lapeze & Johns, PLLC, to defend your rights to compensation. We can help you gather the evidence you may need to argue your case or claim.