The Holidays and Alcohol Related Car Accidents

Thanksgiving Marks the Beginning of the Drunk Driving Season

While a familiar holiday song labels this "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," it's also one of the most dangerous.

While we're giving thanks for so many other wonderful things in our lives, we also need to be mindful that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, year after year, produces more alcohol-related auto accidents and wrongful deaths than any other time of the year - including Christmas. The high level of drunk driving fatalities continues until after New Year's Eve. As a Seattle-based personal injury lawyer, I can't help but notice the increase in senseless auto accident tragedies that happen during what should be solely a celebratory time.

Some shocking facts:

-Drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death in the United States.

- More than 17,000 people are the victim of drunk driving auto accidents annually.

-Out of all the wrongful deaths from auto accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, 38 percent are alcohol related.

-Almost 60 percent of those alcohol-related fatalities are caused by repeat drunk drivers. The important thing we must try and do is prevent these auto accidents before they happen. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has some suggestions on how to help make this happen:

- Be a Safe and Responsible Party Host - Make sure none of your guests drive home when they're in no condition to operate a vehicle. Don't just depend on their physical appearance to evaluate their sobriety.

-Volunteer as designated driver - If you or one of your friends makes the commitment to not drink, you can easily avoid an alcohol-related car accident.

- Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipes - Give your guests a choice when it comes to beverages, or eliminate alcohol altogether - and serve fun party drinks for the whole family.

-Tie one on for safety- Displaying the MADD ribbon on your vehicle shows your commitment to avoiding personal injury and wrongful death because of drunk driving and it can also inspire other motorists to do the same.

There are ways to celebrate the holidays in a responsible way - and still have plenty of "good cheer." Starting this Thanksgiving, I hope all of you will do your best to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Always remember if you do happen to be involved in an auto or motorcycle accident where personal injury or wrongful death occurs, you should consult an attorney immediately. You may not need a lawyer's services, but it is important that you be sure before you agree to anything with insurance companies.

About the Author

Jason Epstein is an Personal Injury attorney in Seattle, Washington. He is the founder of Straight Talk Law and the author of several books including The Truth About Washington Auto Accidents. More information can be found at StraightTalkLaw.com

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