It is not uncommon for accidents to increase during the holiday season because not only does the weather play a role, but also holiday festivities such as parties involving alcohol, unfortunately, lead to more intoxicated drivers on the roads. Additionally, the shorter days make for poorer visibility for drivers who are traveling about at night. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of staying out of an accident when you are on the road, and listed below are some tips to stay as safe as possible this new holiday season.
Should you find yourself in an accident that was not your fault and you sustain injuries, you deserve to obtain compensation for your damages. The Wisconsin personal injury attorneys at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices can help you recover costs associated with your accident.
What Are Some Tips To Stay Safe During The Holidays?
Give Yourself Plenty Of Time Before You Hit The Road
If you are in a rush you are more likely to speed and speeding is a leading cause behind serious traffic crashes. Crashes that result from excessive speed pack a big punch and can cause significant harm to those who are involved. Padding your travel with extra time before your events will reduce your likelihood to speed or stress you out if you encounter hazards on the road that can hold you up.
Stay Alert And Focused On The Road
It is easy to get distracted by so many things including our phone, others in the car, eating, putting on makeup, or just zoning out. If you are on a long trip you could easily become mentally bored and lose focus on the road and your surroundings which could lead to accidents. Distracted driving caused over 3,000 deaths in 2017 alone.
Keep Up Maintenance On Your Car
Colder months and harsher weather wreak havoc on your automobile. To avoid any malfunctioning or unexpected hiccups on the road that could be dangerous, make sure you keep your car properly maintained. Brakes, wipers, engine, new oil, and tire tread, antifreeze are all some of the important components to keep up to date.
Stay Charged
You never know when you will need to make an emergency call if you are stranded on the side of the road, don’t put yourself in a position where your phone doesn’t have the juice to do it. Keeping a car phone charger with you when you travel will ensure that your phone will be useable when you need it.
Emergency Kits
There are some traveling essentials that you should always have in your car for emergencies. Blankets, shovel, jumper cables, first aid, flashlights, water, snacks, even an extra pair of warm clothing can be the difference between disaster and salvation.
GPS
Ensuring you have a GPS device or an app on your phone that is reliable will ensure that if you make a wrong turn you won’t get lost.
Finding An Automobile Accident Lawyer In Wisconsin And Illinois
It is always important to stay prepared at any time of the year but especially during higher traveled times like the holidays. If you are involved in an accident and need legal representation the Beloit automobile accident attorneys at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices can help.
You have only three years to file your personal injury claim in the state of Wisconsin so there is no time to waste after an accident. Call us today to set up a free consultation at (608) 237-7035 for residents of Wisconsin or (815) 2439686 for residents of Illinois. One of our highly knowledgeable Wisconsin and Illinois personal injury attorneys will provide you with the help you need for your claim.