STRAIGHT TALK LAW: THE HOLIDAYS AND AUTO ACCIDENTS

Thanksgiving Marks the Beginning of Dangerous Times on America’s Roads

By Jason Epstein

While a familiar holiday song labels this “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” it’s also one of the most dangerous.

While we’re giving thanks for so many other wonderful things in our lives, we also need to be mindful that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, year after year, produces more alcohol-related auto accidents and wrongful deaths than any other time of the year – including Christmas. The high level of drunk driving fatalities continues until after New Year’s Eve. As a Seattle-based personal injury lawyer, I can’t help but notice the increase in senseless auto accident tragedies that happen during what should be solely a celebratory time.

Some shocking facts:

• In the U.S., the leading criminal cause of death is drunk driving.
• More than 17,000 people are the victim of drunk driving auto accidents annually.
• Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, 38% of all wrongful deaths from auto accidents are alcohol related.
• Repeat drunk drivers are responsible for almost 60% of those alcohol-related fatalities.
What’s important is trying to stop these auto accidents before they happen – so everyone can enjoy a peaceful and happy holiday time. Here are a few suggestions from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to help make that happen:
• Be a Safe and Responsible Party Host – Make sure none of your guests drive home when they’re in no condition to operate a vehicle. Don’t just depend on their physical appearance to evaluate their sobriety.
• Designated Driver – If one of your group makes the commitment not to drink, you can easily avoid an alcohol-related auto accident.
• Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipes – Give your guests a choice when it comes to beverages, or eliminate alcohol altogether – and serve fun party drinks for the whole family.
• Tie One on For Safety – Displaying the MADD ribbon on your vehicle shows your commitment to avoiding personal injury and wrongful death because of drunk driving – and can inspire other motorists to do the same.

There are ways to celebrate the holidays in a responsible way – and still have plenty of “good cheer.” Starting this Thanksgiving, I hope all of you will do your best to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Always remember, if you do happen to be involved in an auto or motorcycle accident where personal injury or wrongful death occurs, consult with an attorney immediately. You may not need a lawyer’s services, but it’s important to be sure before you agree to anything with insurance companies.

For more free “Straight Talk Law” information, please visit my website at www.straighttalklaw.com , where you can order free books on Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by myself and my law practice in Seattle, Washington.