An Overview of Common Fourth of July Accidents
Esurance and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety both claim that the Fourth of July, more than any other day, is the worst for deadly car crashes. Drivers in North Carolina will want to be careful if they intend on traveling during the upcoming holiday weekend.
What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Injuries on the Fourth of July?
- Nearly 200 highway deaths occur each year over the July Fourth weekend, and 40 percent of all highway deaths are caused by drunk drivers during this same time period. Drunk driving is not the only issue.
- The presence of more vehicles on the road, plus the fact that many will be traveling unfamiliar routes to get to their destinations, can increase the risk of car accidents. AAA estimates that 37.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Fourth of July weekend.
- Fireworks accidents are also all too frequent during this holiday. People could be burned by fireworks that do not immediately go off. This could lead to injuries to the hands, fingers and eyes. The head, face and ears can also be burned; although, these injuries are rarely fatal.
- In addition, celebrating around the swimming pool can bring certain risks. However, these can be avoided by keeping a close eye on children and providing inexperienced swimmers with lifejackets.
- Lastly, eating undercooked meat and drinking too much can lead to food poisoning and alcohol poisoning.
Of all the possible injuries, those resulting from car accidents are among the most likely to form the basis for a successful claim. This is because the negligence of the other driver can be more or less clearly affirmed through police reports and other evidence. An attorney could use such evidence to help secure a fair settlement on behalf of a client.
