Holiday Driving in Connecticut: What You Need to Know

Like many people, you are likely looking forward to the holidays as a time to catch up with family and friends and celebrate together. Unfortunately, according to the National Safety Council, these holiday periods are also a time when there’s a rise in car crashes resulting in serious injury and death.

If you plan to travel this holiday season by car, be aware of the risks and take steps to stay safe on Connecticut’s roads. That said, if you or a loved one are unfortunately involved in a car accident, contact the car accident lawyers at The Doctor Lawyer Team at (833) DLT-WINS or (833) 358-9467 to schedule your free case evaluation. We combine legal and medical expertise to help you obtain compensation for your injuries so you can move forward with your life.

What contributes to more car accidents over the holidays in Connecticut? And what should you do if you're involved in an accident? Here’s what you need to know about holiday driving in Connecticut.

Risks of Holiday Driving

Some of the factors that contribute to the increased risk of car accidents during the holidays are:

More People on the Road

First, more people are on the road traveling to visit family and friends. This means that there are more opportunities for accidents to occur.

Winter Weather Driving Conditions

Second, winter weather can make driving conditions more treacherous. Ice, snow, and sleet can make it more difficult to control your vehicle.

Drunk and Impaired Drivers

Finally, people drink more alcohol during the holidays. Whether it's at an office party or a family gathering, there's no doubt that alcohol consumption goes up during this time of year. One study’s key findings found that fatal holiday car accidents in Connecticut, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, and Wisconsin were more likely to involve drunk or impaired driving than in other states.

Tips for Safe Holiday Driving

Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident during the holidays.

• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained and that you have winter tires installed if you live in an area where snow and ice are common.
• Be aware of the increased road traffic and plan your trips accordingly.
• Leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, so you do not feel rushed or stressed while driving.
• Get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue so you can drive attentively and avoid distractions.
• Don't drink and drive. Make arrangements for a sober driver to take you home if you plan to drink with family and friends.
• If you see someone on the road who appears to be driving erratically, call 911 and report them.

What to Do If You're Involved in a Car Accident

If you are involved in a car accident this holiday season, there are a few things you should do:

1. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Call 911 and wait for police and medical personnel to arrive. Getting medical attention should be your top priority.
3. Once the medical needs of everyone involved have been taken care of, exchange insurance information with the other driver. You will need their name, address, phone number, and insurance company information.
4. Do not admit fault for the accident to the other driver or the police. Before taking any responsibility, it is important to wait until all the facts have been gathered.
5. If there are any eyewitnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information. Eyewitness testimony can be beneficial in establishing what happened.
6. If you can, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles involved in the accident and any visible injuries you or anyone else sustained. These photos will be valuable evidence down the road.
7. Call your insurance company and let them know what happened. They will ask you for basic information about the accident, such as when and where it happened and whether there were any injuries or property damage. Be sure to give them all the details of what happened so they can start processing your claim right away.
8. After you contact your insurance company, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and to help you get compensation for any injuries.
9. Finally, try to stay calm and collected throughout the entire process. Getting into a car accident is always stressful, but it's important to keep a level head to take care of everything that needs to be done.

The Doctor Lawyer Team: We Defend the Rights of Injured Clients

If you are on the road this holiday season and get involved in a car accident, contact experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you navigate insurance claims and protect your rights.

At The Doctor Lawyer Team, we are a veteran-owned personal injury law firm with over 40 years of trial experience and a proven track record of success. Attorney Paul McConnell is a former Marine Corps infantry officer, federal prosecutor, and trial judge. Dr. Michael Giordano is a board certified neurosurgeon and has an active background in reviewing personal injury and medical malpractice cases for over 18 years, including several years at one of Connecticut’s most respected personal injury and medical malpractice firms.

This gives you a unique advantage because The Doctor Lawyer Team combines legal and medical expertise to help you obtain compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other issues you may face because of your injury. We also work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid from the proceeds if you win your case.

Contact The Doctor Lawyer Team today to schedule your free case evaluation by calling us at (833) DLT-WINS or (833) 358-9467 to learn more about your legal rights and best options for recovery. We have offices in: Hartford, New Haven, Groton, Bridgeport, New Canaan, and Greenwich. If more convenient, you can also fill out our online form here.

The Doctor Lawyer Team—Join the Winning Team.

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

The Doctor Lawyer Team
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Hartford, CT 06105
(833) DLT-WINS; (833) 358-9467
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