Risk of Auto Accidents and Boating Accidents Increases on Memorial Day

 Posted on May 20, 2019 in Car Accidents

Many people consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of summer fun. You may have plans to take a boating trip, enjoy a backyard barbeque, or visit family this Memorial Day. Whatever your plans may be, make sure you are always taking steps to keep yourself and your family safe. Memorial Day is considered one of the riskiest days on which to operate a motor vehicle in the United States. The increase in the number of vehicles on the roads plus the common presence of alcohol at Memorial Day celebrations can be a deadly combination. Boating accidents are also common on Memorial Day for similar reasons.

Drunk Driving on Memorial Day

According to The National Safety Council, approximately 400 people may lose their lives in traffic accidents this Memorial Day weekend across the country. This estimate is based on the number of fatal accidents from previous Memorial Day weekends plus other data. Drunk driving is an especially concerning risk factor during this time because many people attend gatherings in which alcohol is served.

If you are planning on driving during the holiday period, make sure to take extra precautions to keep yourself and other motorists safe. Avoid drinking and driving, and always wear a seatbelt. Additionally, keep your eyes open for motorists who are making erratic lane changes, speeding, drifting between lanes, or otherwise driving dangerously as these motorists may be intoxicated.

Boating Accidents Can Result in Serious Injury or Death

While we often do not think about them as much as auto accidents, boating accidents can be just as serious as car crashes are. Many people incorrectly believe that drinking and operating a boat is not against the law or does not pose as great a risk as drunk driving. The reality is that drunk boating is linked with thousands of injury-causing accidents each year. Alcohol consumption is also the leading known factor in fatal boating accidents. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a boating accident caused by an intoxicated boater, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact a Santa Clara County Accident Injury Attorney

When death or injury is caused by another person’s reckless, negligent, or illegal behavior, that person should be held accountable for the damage they have done. To learn about how you can recover compensation after a boat, motor vehicle, or other accident, call San Jose boating accident lawyer John J. Garvey, III. Schedule a free consultation and case review by calling 408-293-7777 today.

Sources:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/memorial-day/

https://americanboating.org/boating_fatality.asp