As the festive lights illuminate Boston's scenic streets and joyous celebrations fill the crisp winter air, a dark undercurrent threatens to mar the magic of the holiday season -- a spike in preventable accidents. Car accident lawyers see firsthand how the festivities meant to bring light and laughter can cast shadows of pain and loss over unsuspecting families. For that reason, this blog post will shed light on the causes behind the surge of injuries during the holidays and arm you with the knowledge to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this season.
Increased Traffic and Rushed Driving
The holiday season notoriously brings a swell of traffic to Boston's already congested roads as locals and visitors rush to finish shopping, attend parties, and travel to see family. With AAA estimating over 112 million travelers hitting the roads nationwide at the end of the year, it is no wonder that the odds of being involved in a crash have risen significantly.
Compounding the danger, drivers are more likely to make reckless decisions behind the wheel due to the stress and time pressure of the season. Speeding, aggressive maneuvering, and distractions like GPS directions to a holiday event or a glance at the gift list on their phone can all too easily lead to devastating collisions.
Impaired and Fatigued Driving
The celebratory atmosphere and abundance of holiday parties often involve alcohol consumption. Inebriated drivers getting behind the wheel cause nearly 30 deaths per day across the U.S. from Christmas to New Year's, a rate that's over double that seen during the rest of the year.
Long nights of festive fun coupled with early mornings of gift opening also result in drowsy driving, which can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a driver who has slept less than 5 hours has a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Unfortunately, the inside of homes and businesses also becomes treacherous during the holidays. With constant foot traffic trailing in slush, snow, and ice, entryways and floors grow slick. Couple that with arms full of packages or a few too many eggnogs, and you have a recipe for serious falls and traumatic injuries. Stores with shoppers and floors cluttered with stock and displays also present tripping hazards. Unsalted sidewalks and parking lots turn into slippery gauntlets. For the elderly especially, a bad fall can lead to broken bones, concussions, or even fatal injuries.
Fires and Burns
Though nothing evokes holiday coziness like a roaring fire or glowing candles, these traditions come with hidden dangers. Around 30% of all home fires and 38% of home fire deaths occur in the months of December, January, and February.
Holiday decorations are responsible for over 770 fires annually, with electrical problems in lights causing around 25% of Christmas tree fires. Menorah and kinara candles for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa can easily ignite nearby flammable materials if left unattended. Burns from spilled hot cocoa, a bubbling pot of mulled cider, or a toppled Sterno can at chafing dishes also send many to the emergency room.
Defective Products and Gifts
Manufacturers and stores scrambling to meet the surge in holiday demand sometimes cut corners, allowing unsafe products to slip through the cracks. Toys with small pieces, accessible batteries, or misleading age recommendations can present choking and poisoning risks. Electronics can overheat or have faulty wiring that sparks destructive fires.
Even properly designed products can still pose hazards when assembled incorrectly. Confusing instructions, mis-boxed pieces, or unclear warnings lead to dangerous malfunctions. From a toppling artificial Christmas tree to a collapsing bike on its first ride, defective products cause thousands of injurious accidents each holiday.
What to Do if an Accident Happens
Despite the best efforts at prevention, accidents can still happen. If you or a family member suffers an injury this holiday, first seek appropriate medical attention, even for seemingly minor issues. Some injuries may not manifest serious symptoms immediately.
Next, document and preserve all evidence. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any involved products. Obtain contact and insurance information from other parties and witnesses. Keep medical records and bills, as well as any relevant receipts or product manuals. Then contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
Let Us Help
Our team at Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah is ready to provide the guidance, support, and legal representation you need. We fight to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. Reach out for a free consultation, and let us handle the complexities of your claim while you focus on healing.