Staying Safe This Year as Millions of Texans Travel This Thanksgiving Season

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest driving holidays in Texas and across the United States, with an estimated 3.6 million motorists driving in Texas and 48.7 million driving nationally according to the AAA.

According to an article released last year by the Houston Chronicle, Texas leads the United States with the most traffic-related deaths during the Thanksgiving holiday season with 749 traffic-related deaths.

One quarter of all people killed in Thanksgiving traffic crashes in the past 15 years were between the ages of 16 and 25 years old. The same Houston Chronicle article also found that 60 percent of fatal crashes involved either alcohol consumption or excessive speeding. Contributing factors also include lack of public transit options along with Thanksgiving being a four-day holiday weekend (compared to other major holidays), which allows for far more opportunities to consume alcohol.

The busiest day of travel for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is generally Wednesday with work commutes lasting up to 3 times longer due to the additional holiday driving traffic as families try to hit the road early. With this many motorists on the road, the potential for fatal and/or serious car wrecks is exponentially increased. Here is what you need to know to keep you and your loved ones safe during this upcoming holiday weekend:

Be Aware of Weather and Road Conditions

Close to six million car accidents each year with a quarter of them due to adverse weather conditions according to the Federal Highway Administration. Half of these weather related accidents occur in wet and/or rainy conditions.

Get Your Vehicle Road Ready

• Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly in case of inclement weather.
• Make sure your vehicles’ gas tank is full before departing for your destination to avoid being stranded roadside
• Make sure your vehicle is up to date on maintenance (fluid levels, brakes, battery, and tire pressure)

Avoid Reckless Driving Behaviors

• Do not get behind the wheel if you have consumed alcohol, use a designated driver or hire a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.
• Avoid talking and texting while driving.
• Obey all traffic control signs and devices.
• Avoid speeding
• Use caution if driving conditions are poor (wet roads, or poor night time visibility)
• Wear your seatbelt at all times

Even with the best of intentions and following all necessary safety precautions, accidents can sometimes still occur. In the event of a car, truck, or motorcycle accident during this holiday season, make sure to take the following steps:

• Notify Law enforcement immediately;
• Make sure to exchange all personal contact, insurance, and vehicle information with the other driver(s) at the scene;
• Take pictures of the accident scene;
• Get medical attention right away for all minor and major injuries. Remember, some injuries can take days to become apparent.

The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm PLLC are here to help. Remember, many major insurance companies are in the business of making money by under settling claims. Don’t let yourself become a victim of the insurance company. If you’re involved in a car or truck accident, you deserve to be paid the full amount of compensation for your damages by the insurance company. Call our office at 832-LAW-1111 for a free consultation.