Holiday Travelers And Early Christmas Shoppers Likely To Be Out In Force
With Thanksgiving coming up and the holidays right around the corner, the roadways are going to become even more congested as 2014 comes to a close. Experts are already predicting that this year’s shopping season is likely to be a busy one because of the improving economy and increasing consumer confidence.
In recent years, travelers driving to visit relatives or friends during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend have been joined on the road by shoppers who are eager to take advantage of Black Friday deals and shopping bargains. All of this extra traffic on the roadways has led to Thanksgiving weekend becoming the deadliest traffic holiday of the year.
Car Accidents Increase Over Thanksgiving Holiday
On a typical day, over 100 people die in traffic accidents on U.S. roadways. This number more than doubles over the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2012, the number of roadway deaths on Thanksgiving reached 502 people.
As noted by a spokesperson for AAA, the combined factors of more than 50 percent more drivers on the road, along with increased alcohol consumption, increases the risk for car accidents. And this Thanksgiving may be particularly dangerous because, in past years when gas prices were high, some families were deterred from driving. But this year, with gas prices averaging about $2.85 in Tallahassee, the number of highway travelers is likely to rise.
Parking Lot Accidents
With all of the opportunities for shopping over Thanksgiving, one of the more common types of accidents is likely to be parking lot accidents. When a parking lot accident occurs, there are some general rules that are used to determine who is responsible for the accident:
- If automobile “A” is parked when it is hit by automobile “B,” the driver of automobile “B” is 100 percent at fault for the incident.
- If automobile “A” is leaving a parking space and fails to yield the right of way to automobile “B” on a feeder lane or thoroughfare, the driver of automobile “A” is 100 percent at fault for the incident.
- A driver who fails to follow traffic signs in a parking lot is likely at fault.
- A driver who hits another driver by opening a car door is likely at fault.
However, if you have been injured in a parking lot accident or other roadway crash, it is important to know your legal rights.
Tallahassee Legal Help For Thanksgiving Parking Lot And Roadway Accidents
If you have been involved in a Thanksgiving holiday car crash, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your physical injuries and for property damage to your vehicle.
In order to protect your legal interests, it is important to preserve any evidence related to the accident and your injuries. If possible, use your cell phone to take pictures to document the accident scene as the vehicles landed after the accident. You should also note the date, time, and exact location of the accident, as well as get the name and contact numbers for any witnesses. You should also make a police report.
Regardless of whether you “think” you were injured, you should also obtain a professional medical examination. Many times soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash and neck pain, are not immediately apparent and do not show up until after the shock of the accident wears off.
You should also contact an experienced Tallahassee car accident lawyer to help you recover for any personal injuries or property damage you sustained. The knowledgeable attorneys at Fasig & Brooks are ready to listen to you and help you determine how to legally proceed to protect your rights and financially recover for any losses you sustained due to another driver’s negligence. Call us today at (850) 222-3232 or use our online contact form for prompt serious legal help.
