6 Most Fatal Holidays Drivers in South Florida Should Be Aware Of

The holidays are officially here. From opening gifts on Christmas morning to safely gathering around to ring in the new year, there’s something to look forward to for everyone. It’s also a time to look ahead to upcoming holidays like Mother’s Day, Independence Day, or Memorial Day. But a time of joy and celebration can quickly turn into a tragedy because of someone else’s negligence.

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident at any time, you should seek legal counsel immediately. Not only can an attorney help you navigate your case, but they can also represent you in settlement negotiations or court. Attorney Robert Baker of Baker Legal Team is a trusted personal injury attorney in South Florida. Below are the six most fatal holidays South Florida drivers should be aware of.

Independence Day

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, brings many festivities like fireworks, barbeques, and unfortunately, excessive drinking. In 2018 alone, 193 people died in car accidents, 40% of which were alcohol-related. Of those who died in crashes involving alcohol, all but nine occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The national blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08%, but those who died in crashes had at least one motorist with a BAC of .15% or higher.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, is to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. For many, this is also the unofficial start of summer, which leads to barbeques, pool parties, and drinking. Memorial Day Monday has 32% more fatalities than the three days leading up to it. In 2019, the National Safety Council estimated that 343 to 420 people died on the roads.

Labor Day

Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September and is the summer season’s official end. So it’s no surprise that it ranks among the holidays drivers should stay off the road. On average, there are over 400 fatal crashes per year. Of those, nearly 4% happened at night, and 3% occurred in rural areas.

Halloween

While children spend Halloween night on the hunt for candy, many adults spend the night at parties. Because so many people are out on Halloween night, pedestrians have a higher risk of being hit by a car on Halloween than any other night. Additionally, in 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported almost 400 deadly crashes on roads across the United States.

Thanksgiving

It’s not surprising that Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous holidays for driving. Between 2001 and 2006, there were over 500 fatalities each year near this holiday. Fortunately, that number has declined since. But, with many people returning to their hometowns, it’s common for bars and restaurants to be packed with people catching up over a drink or two.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over Napoleon III in 1862. While it may seem odd to celebrate this day in the United States, many Americans spend the day eating Mexican food and drinking too many margaritas. In 2018, there were over 400 crashes that killed people during this holiday. Over the past three years, there were over 1,000 crashes on roadways across the country.

Speak with an Experienced South Florida Car Accident Attorney

Attorney Robert Baker brings a high level of expertise to car accidents in South Florida. As a Board-Certified trial attorney, Robert takes great pride in his work. When working with Attorney Baker, you can be confident he’ll work hard for you to obtain the compensation you deserve. Over his 30 year career, Robert has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

You matter; you deserve to be treated with professionalism and individualism. Get in touch with Attorney Robert Baker today by calling (561) 320-0000 or by completing an online contact form.