As we head over the hills and through the woods to our relatives’ houses for Thanksgiving, please remember that the roads through the hills and woods are going to be congested with other travelers. In fact, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. It’s also one of the deadliest.
According to reports from the National Safety Council, there are approximately 3,000 deaths each year due to car accidents during Thanksgiving weekend (starting the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and ending the Sunday night after Thanksgiving). There are another 50,300 non-fatal, yet disabling injuries related to car accidents each year in the U.S. That translates to about 905 in Wisconsin alone.
For those who have flexibility in their travel schedules, Google Maps has compiled trends from Thanksgiving weekend 2016. The data is based on Google users’ location search habits during last year’s Thanksgiving weekend.
Google analyzed traffic data from 2006. It identified the best and worst times to travel.
According to Google, the best time to leave is 6 a.m. the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Traffic will get progressively worse until 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Assuming you’re visiting relatives somewhere that can be reached by car, Google says you’re most likely to avoid traffic if you leave on Thanksgiving morning.
To avoid traffic on your return trip, leave either early Saturday or Sunday. Beware of leaving Friday or Saturday evenings, as those are the busiest return times according to Google.
Despite your best attempts to steer clear of car accidents, they can and do happen. If you are injured in an accident over the holiday weekend, here are some tips to remember:
- Always seek medical attention first.
Waiting to return home is a mistake. No matter how slight your injuries may seem, you won’t know the full extent of an injury until you are seen by a medical professional.
- Keep documentation of your treatment so you can let your insurance company know about the accident.
- Be sure to keep receipts of rental cars or hotel stays or any other expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
- Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company until you have talked to your own attorney.
- Don’t provide any statements about the accident to the other driver’s insurance company.
- Do talk to your attorney to discuss your options for recouping injury costs and damages.
Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident and you don’t
know how to handle the situation at hand? Casey Law Offices, S.C. can
help. When you enlist in the help of our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers,
you’ll be represented by a team dedicated to helping you survive
this difficult time with ease. No matter the complexities of your particular
situation, we will tirelessly pursue justice on your behalf.
At Casey Law Offices, S.C., we are committed to holding negligent individuals and businesses responsible for irresponsible behaviors that lead to injury. We represent individuals who have sustained a variety of injuries at the hands of another, including those related to car accidents caused by negligent drivers.
We are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.