Thanksgiving is ideally a time of relaxation, good company, and thankfulness for all the positive things in your life. Hopefully, your Thanksgiving will be a safe one, giving you peace of mind.

To ensure safety during the holiday, it’s important to remain mindful about the risks. The following are some of the accidents that often occur over Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving Travel and Accidents

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (part of the US Department of Transportation) points out how during a 6-day period encompassing Thanksgiving, there’s a 54% increase in trips of at least 50 miles. The vast majority of these trips are carried out with a vehicle.

Unfortunately, the number of traffic accidents also tends to go up sharply on Thanksgiving. The roads are more crowded. Some people make the illegal and unwise decision to drive after drinking. Other times, people wind up driving late at night and are fatigued. If they’re driving with more passengers than usual in the car, they may be more easily distracted. They could also be rushing to different events, such as their family dinner, and wind up speeding (and possibly texting their loved ones that they’ll be arriving soon – even though texting-while-driving often leads to death and injury). On top of all of this, poor weather may result in icy roads or low visibility.

It’s critical for drivers to prioritize safety. To do this, drivers should:

  • Avoiding texting-while-driving and minimizing other distractions
  • Not drink before driving
  • Abide by all traffic laws
  • Remain attentive on the road
  • Avoid driving if you’re likely to feel fatigued
  • Take breaks along the way, and switch drivers if possible
  • Always wear a seat belt
  • Use your headlights after dark

How an Accident Attorney Can Help

In the aftermath of an accident, you may need to reach out to an experienced attorney to figure out how to cope with medical bills and other expenses. Don’t hesitate to contact the accident attorneys at the Pisanchyn Law Firm. We will carefully review the circumstances surrounding your accident and give you assistance with handling insurance companies and, depending on the situation, holding any people or companies responsible for your accident accountable. Call 1-800-444-5309 for your free consultation. We have offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Harrisburg and will travel to you.