Planning a Labor Day Road Trip? Stay Safe with These 4 Tips from a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer
Labor Day is just in time for anyone who feels in the mood for a late-summer vacation. Whether it’s to visit friends or bond with family, the long weekend is a popular time to hit the road.
Unfortunately, heavy traffic and drunk drivers cause a spike in accident rates over the holiday period. There were 379 fatal car wrecks over Labor Day weekend in 2013, according to statistics from the National Safety Council. Those accounted for 12 percent of the month’s crashes.
You can reduce your risk of crashing by planning your route before you depart, avoiding distractions and driving defensively. However, even the safest motorists cannot control the actions of others.
If you are injured in a crash with a negligent driver on Labor Day, contact a San Diego personal-injury attorney from Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates. Our car accident lawyers have been litigating personal-injury cases on behalf of California residents for nearly 30 years.
Call 855-290-8080 to schedule a free initial consultation. You can also read more about car accident injury claims by visiting the USAttorneys website.
Here are four tips that could save your life if you take a Labor Day road trip:
- Plan Ahead
To enjoy a successful, hassle-free road trip, you need a game plan structured around two factors: time and your means of travel. Visit your mechanic to ensure your car’s fluids and tires are fit for driving a long distance, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Expect delays due to weather or traffic congestion.
- Be Alert
It is important that you get plenty of sleep the night before you depart. Fatigue is a main contributing factor to accidents on Labor Day weekend. If you feel tired on the road, then pull over and take a short nap.
- Eliminate Distractions
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,179 people were killed in car crashes involving distracted drivers in 2014 – and an estimated 431,000 were seriously injured. If you want to avoid becoming a statistic, then switch off your phone for the duration of the drive, leave the food until you find a safe spot to pull over, and don’t be afraid to tell your passengers to behave.
- Resist Road Rage
Driving long distances can be irritating, but it is crucial that you drive with a defensive mindset at all times. Losing your temper won’t help you avoid a tailgating driver, and being aggressive won’t help you reach your destination any quicker. Also, road rage will deter your focus from the task of driving and increase the likelihood of crashing.
If you or a member of your family is injured in a wreck on Labor Day weekend, contact Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates. A San Diego car accident lawyer will help you navigate the claims process.
Our personal-injury attorneys have recovered more than $150 million for our clients in successful settlements and verdicts. Call 855-290-8080 to schedule a free consultation.
