Holiday Season Brings Surge of People & Vehicles to Florida's Roadways
As a holiday hotspot, car accidents in Florida spike this time of year.
The surge of vehicles on Central Florida roads makes it clear that the holiday season has arrived. Throughout November and December, more cars are on the road in Florida than at any other time of the year, increasing the risk of serious and fatal car accidents. As a result, what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year is also the deadliest time to travel.
According to Zutobi, Thanksgiving and Christmas are among the top five deadliest holidays in the U.S. In the last five years, there were 2,414 traffic deaths on Thanksgiving Day. But data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles published by Patch shows that most crashes occurred the day before Thanksgiving. For example, on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, there were 1,205 crashes and eight fatalities on Florida roads.
Like Thanksgiving, many people travel for Christmas and other December holidays. Usually, in the days leading up to the holidays, people travel home, vacation, or drive to a loved one's house. Heavy traffic increases the odds of getting into a serious car accident during the holiday season.
Why do so many car accidents happen during the holidays?
With increased traffic, accidents are bound to happen. However, there are other reasons we see an influx of crashes during the holidays, including:
Distracted driving
Although the holidays are a time for celebration and joy, they can also be very stressful. Hosting a party, cooking, and buying gifts can consume a person's mind. Being lost in thought is a form of distracted driving, as is texting and talking on a phone, which is the most widespread form of distraction.
Drunk driving
It's common for some people to drink alcohol with their family and friends during the holidays, but sometimes people drink too much and make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel of a car. A person's coordination, vision, and alertness can all become impaired when they're under the influence of alcohol. As a result, DUIs and drunk driving accidents spike during the holidays. For example, in 2020, there were 11,654 crashes involving drunk drivers.
When you’re injured, put your trust in a legal team that gets results.
The holidays are supposed to be a happy time, but that can change if you or someone you love is injured in an accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies aren't much help. Often, an insurance adjuster will offer a lowball settlement that doesn't even come close to covering the true cost of your accident. That's why it's important you contact an experienced car accident attorney to review your potential options for compensation.
At the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A., our legal team can protect your rights and aggressively advocate for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how a Tavares car accident lawyer can help you, contact us today and schedule a free consultation. We have four offices conveniently located in Central Florida, including Tavares, Inverness, Clermont, and The Villages.
