As cozy and lovely as holiday movies may be, in reality, the holidays can be very dangerous. Injuries can rise around the holidays, some because of the weather, others because of increased traffic, and others because of still more risks. Even if you are doing everything in your power to stay safe, you can’t control what other people do. Thus, many people end up injured during the holidays at the fault of someone else.
Here is what you need to know about common holiday personal injury claims, why they occur, and what you can do if you’ve been injured over the holidays.
Common Holiday Personal Injury Claims
The holidays are a busy time of year – and a busy time during not the best weather conditions, too. With the influx of people and worsened conditions, it’s no surprise that there are some common holiday personal injury claims.
Auto Accidents
Due to an increased number of drivers on the road, poor weather conditions, and extra distractions, auto accidents are a common holiday personal injury claim. With more people going out to bars or parties or having alcohol at holiday gatherings, there is also an increased number of impaired drivers on the road. We all must do our part to keep our attention on the road and be mindful of other drivers. However, even if you’re the most careful driver out there, you can’t control what other drivers do, which can result in accidents.
Slip And Fall Accidents
You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but no one dreams of slipping and falling on icy patches while shopping for gifts. Due to winter weather and an increased number of people out and about, slip and fall accidents are another common holiday personal injury claim. With slip and falls, property owners must have neglected their duty to maintain a safe property. With winter weather conditions, measures for keeping the exterior of the property safe must be done in a reasonable amount of time, and the same is true for the interior, such as by putting up wet floor signs.
Pedestrian Accidents
More people being out and about enjoying holiday decorations and events also mean more risk of pedestrian accidents. Drivers may not be paying enough attention to the road or adhering to traffic laws. Be very vigilant, and be careful to follow guidelines yourself, such as by using crosswalks instead of jaywalking. However, even if you’re careful, you can’t control what other people do, such as if a drunk driver swerves into the sidewalk, which can result in injury.
Other Holiday Personal Injury Claims
While auto accidents and slips and falls may be among the most common personal injury claims during the holidays, they’re not the only ones. People can be injured from burns, from being overworked, from dangerously defective toys and equipment,
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured Over The Holidays
Regardless of the time of year, the first thing that you should do if you’ve been injured is to seek medical attention. During the holiday season, you may try to bypass going to the doctor because you really want to make it to that party or you really just want to go home. However, when you’ve been in an accident, your adrenaline is high and may be concealing the true severity of your injuries. Additionally, many injuries may not show symptoms until days or weeks later, as can occur with whiplash or brain injuries.
Seeking medical attention is important in order to ensure that you receive the treatment you need and that your injuries are properly identified. If you wish to pursue legal action, either now or in the future, having medical records from the day of the accident helps to link your injury to the accident, which makes it harder for people to try to claim that your injuries resulted from something else.
You would also want to ensure that you have evidence, such as photos of the scene, witnesses, and seek the representation of a personal injury attorney. The law is complex and not something that you want to try to navigate on your own – especially not when trying to receive the compensation you deserve.
Dedicated Attorneys Committed To Bringing You Justice
Here at LeBaron & Jensen, we hope that your holidays are happy, but if you are injured in an accident, we’re here to help you. Going after at-fault parties can be challenging, but with our experienced attorneys on your side, you can focus on rest and recovery while we focus on taking care of your claim.
Contact us today to learn more about our personal injury services or to schedule your free case consultation.
