Car Safety Check – Preparing for Holiday Travel

The November and December holidays are amongst the busiest days of the year when it comes to travel. More cars are on the road as people all over the State of New Jersey travel to visit family, friends, and loved ones. Of course, with the increased traffic comes the increased risk of suffering a serious accident.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the six day Thanksgiving travel period sees a 54 percent increase over the average in the number of long-distance trips to and from a destination that is 50 miles or more away. During the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period, that number rises by 23 percent. With so many more vehicles, there is a directly correlated spike in the number of accidents and the number of fatalities. acerbated by a couple of factors. First off, the increased shopping around the holidays means that there are more trucks and delivery vehicles on the roads. Added to that, of course, is the fact that this period brings more extreme weather, including heavy snow, sleet, and rain.

How can drivers prepare for the combination of increased traffic and bad weather when it comes to holiday travel? The following is a list of tips to help you reduce auto accidents during winter:

• Make sure your vehicle has been recently checked for any issues. In particular, have your tires and lights inspected before you take a long drive.
• Plan out your route in advance (Don’t rely on GPS and cell service during heavy storms) and expect heavy traffic. When possible, think about leaving earlier rather than later.
• Have your roadside assistance contact information on hand, so you are prepared in the case of an accident or other incident.
• Have a cell phone and extra charger with you at all times. AAA and many other roadside services offer smartphone applications that allow drivers to request help without having to make a phone call.

Unfortunately, no matter how well prepared you are, accidents do happen. Having your holidays interrupted by a tragic event can be a traumatic experience. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, then you need to turn to an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney who has the experience to expertly fight on your behalf.

The legal team at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. has a proven track record of success, achieving multiple multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. To learn more about how our firm can help you or a loved one obtain the compensation you deserve, please call (609) 240-0040 to schedule a free consultation today.