Most people put off searching for an attorney until an emergency has happened, but that is often too late. In Texas, you can find yourself in a crisis in a split second, after another driver runs a stoplight, you slip on a wet floor, or a surgeon nicks a blood vessel.
One common way to find yourself in trouble, especially in Texas, is if you are on the road during the holidays. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas ranked number one in fatal car crashes during the holiday season for the years from 2015 to 2019.
The Stewart Law Firm has decades of experience in auto accident cases and can help you get through an emergency during the holidays or any other time of the year. Read on to learn more about how we can help.
Why Are the Holidays So Dangerous for Drivers?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the time around Christmas and New Years is among the most common for auto accidents. The factors that raise risks include:
- More time on the road
- Shorter days so more night time driving
- More alcohol use
- Bad weather conditions
It may not seem like it, but there are considerably more drivers on the road during the holiday season. Among the most common activities, of course, is shopping, but many people are out visiting family and friends which may entail going out to eat, see a movie, or enjoy other entertainment outside the house.
Unfortunately, many of these activities involve drinking, and this results in drunk driving. According to the NHTSA, almost one-third of all auto accidents involving a fatality were due to a drunk driver. These numbers may even go up this year because fewer people are using public transportation due to COVID-19 concerns.
What to Do If You Get into an Accident over the Holidays
It can be a nightmare getting into an auto accident, especially if you are far from home, but there are some tips that can make the situation just a bit easier to manage.
- Check everyone for injuries—even if it appears that everyone is superficially okay, double check to make sure no one suffered a head injury, whiplash or joint sprain. If you suspect that someone is injured, call 911 for medical assistance immediately.
- Collect evidence—obtain the contact information of other drivers as well as any witnesses. Take notes about the circumstances of the accident including the make and model of all involved vehicles, date, time, and road conditions. Take as many photos of the scene of the accident as possible.
- Obtain a police report—if the police arrive on the scene, tell just the facts of the case. Don’t say more than you have to, and never say it was your fault. Afterwards get a copy of the police report so that you can ensure the details are accurate.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney at the Stewart Law Firm—before you talk to any insurers, discuss the facts of the case with one of the legal experts at the Stewart Law Firm. You don’t want to say something that could cause you to miss out on thousands of dollars in compensation.
Contact our Texas Car Accident Attorneys
The Stewart Law Firm has helped thousands of accident victims in Austin and throughout Texas obtain the compensation that they need for medical bills, lost wages and permanent disability. Whether your case requires hard-nosed settlement negotiations or a full-fledged courtroom battle, the Stewart Law Firm has the experience and resources to secure victory.
Contact the Stewart Law Firm for a free consultation.
