- Car Accidents
The holiday season should be a period of happiness and joy together with our family and friends. However, holiday car accidents are a sad reality – one which may be prevented if you know how to stay safe.
Here are some of the most effective tips to prevent a crash during the holiday season shared by a seasoned Morrow car accident lawyer. If you need help with filing a claim, contact our law firm today.
1. Make Sure That Your Car Is Road-Worthy
You should give your car a thorough check-up before leaving to visit family members and friends during the holiday season. Most car repair shops will be busy with emergencies during that period.
Also, under the comparative negligence principle applicable in Georgia, you could be found partly at fault for your accident if your car malfunctions. For example, if your tail lights are not working and the car behind you hits you, the other driver will claim that they could not stop on time because they did not see your brake lights.
2. Maintain a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles
During the winter, snowy and icy roads make it harder to brake. After you apply the brakes, the distance until the car comes to a full stop is up to 10 times longer compared to braking on a dry road.
For this reason, you should maintain a safe distance – even longer than you usually would – between your car and the one in front and behind you. If you notice that the other driver is tailgating you, let them overtake your car. Arriving safely at your destination is the only important thing.
3. Avoid Driving in Bad Weather
A Morrow car crash attorney knows how quickly the weather forecast can change in winter. A calm and peaceful day with picture-perfect snow falling slowly to the ground can turn into a storm with high winds and very reduced visibility.
In these situations, it’s better to put off any kind of travel. You may miss seeing your friends today, but you will not risk getting into a severe accident, with some of the most tragic consequences.
Poor weather conditions can lead to accidents. Even if you manage to keep your vehicle under control, a less skilled driver may crash their car into you.
4. Drive Under the Speed Limit
If there is ice or snow on the road, you should drive slower than the maximum limit. Even with a car equipped with winter tires, you will find it difficult to control it in these conditions.
Nobody will mind if you arrive late for Christmas dinner. But they will bitterly regret if you end up in hospital because you hurried to arrive on time.
5. Never Drink and Drive
What happens after a great dinner party, when you have good food and a few drinks? There are just three correct answers:
- You have a designated driver in your group.
- You call a ridesharing service.
- You spend the night at your host’s home.
Drinking and driving is not only against the law if your BAC level is above 0.08, but it is also extremely dangerous. DUI drivers cause the largest proportion of holiday car accidents.
What to Do After a Holiday Car Accident
If you suffer an accident despite your best efforts, remember to prioritize your safety and protect your right to file a claim. Thus, you must remember to do the following:
- Report the accident to the police and remain at the scene
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
- Get photos and videos of the accident scene
- Obtain eyewitnesses’ contact details
- Go to the nearest hospital to receive emergency medical care
- Contact an experienced Morrow car accident attorney.
At Wade Law, we have a combined experience of over 70 years and give personal attention to each client. What we care about is winning fair compensation for your damages.
We offer each new client a free case review, so call us at 770-282-1188 to schedule an appointment with a skilled Morrow car accident lawyer!
