Celebrated by tens of millions every year, Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays throughout the entire year. It’s a day to come together with family and friends and celebrate everything you are thankful for in your lives. It’s a day full of food, family, and football. Houses are full of laughter and joy. Unfortunately, for some, this day doesn’t always go as planned. Thanksgiving accidents occur that strip the excitement out of the holiday.
According to AAA, over 55 million Americans traveled during Thanksgiving weekend in 2019. While Thanksgiving may look quite different this year due in large part to the ongoing global pandemic, people still plan on traveling. According to Tripadvisor, 56% of Americans plan on traveling for Thanksgiving in 2020, with 76% reporting that they plan on driving.
With so many out and about across this holiday weekend, Thanksgiving accidents can and will happen. These accidents don’t just occur on roads, either. They can happen in your home, in a store, and everywhere else. Because of the craziness of the holidays, it’s crucial to be aware of the countless dangers that loom over Thanksgiving weekend.
Many of these accidents are often the fault of someone else’s recklessness or negligence. If you find yourself in a Thanksgiving accident that was the fault of someone else, contact AMA Law today and let us fight for you.
Types of Thanksgiving Accidents
As we mentioned previously, millions of people plan on traveling for Thanksgiving. According to AAA, most people will be driving over 50 miles to get to their holiday destinations. Naturally, U.S. roads will be busier than usual, which leads to more car accidents.
However, car accidents are not the only accidents to occur across Thanksgiving weekend. There are various things that can go wrong throughout the weekend that can lead to Thanksgiving accidents.
Some of the most common Thanksgiving accidents include:
- Car accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- House fires
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability
- Food poisoning
- Sports injuries
- Burns
Thanksgiving accidents vary in severity, depending on the circumstances. The injuries also range from mild to severe, with some of the most common injuries being:
- Broken bones
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Sprains and strains
- Concussions
- Internal bleeding
Regardless of how you feel, seek medical attention immediately after your accident. Doing so will ensure you receive the treatment you need and will document your injuries, which will be helpful in a personal injury claim.
Thanksgiving Accident Statistics
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year. Even with COVID-19 still looming, millions of people plan on celebrating this year. While this day is supposed to be one of love and excitement, for too many, it ends in disaster.
To get a better idea of the potential dangers of these accidents, we have provided some vital statistics:
- In 2017, 528 people died in fatal car accidents over Thanksgiving weekend.
- About 47,500 injuries occur from car accidents that require medical attention.
- Drinking rates increase by 33% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
- According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 45% of home fire injuries are the result of cooking accidents, while these accidents account for 21% of deaths.
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for house fires, followed by Christmas and Thanksgiving Eve.
- An average of 1,800 cooking fires occurs during Thanksgiving each year, three times more than a typical day.
- 35% of traffic fatalities over Thanksgiving weekend involved a drunk driver.
- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were roughly 1,400 emergency room visits due to injuries sustained while playing football in 2017.
- The night before Thanksgiving (also referred to as Blackout Wednesday) is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. On this day, beer and liquor sales increase by 270% and 114%, respectively.
While Thanksgiving is a time of happiness, it is also quite dangerous. Thousands of people suffer injuries every year in Thanksgiving accidents. These accidents can complicate life, but with the right personal injury attorney on your side, you can recover compensation for the damages you sustained. Give our Oklahoma personal injury law firm a call today and let us fight for you.
Thanksgiving Safety Tips
While you cannot control the actions of others, you can take the necessary precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season. By following the below safety tips, you can lower your chances of being involved in a Thanksgiving accident.
- Never get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
- Leave your home with plenty of time in advance to avoid being in a rush.
- Never speed.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Obey traffic signs, lights, and laws.
- Get plenty of rest before traveling.
- Always wear your seatbelt. After all, seatbelts are 45% effective at preventing traffic fatalities.
- Avoid all distractions while driving (texting, eating, applying makeup, etc.).
- Take plenty of breaks.
- Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and mind on driving.
- Never leave food unattended, whether on the stove or in the oven.
- Keep children out of reach of fires and anything you are cooking.
- Clear any tripping hazards and obstacles out of walkways.
- Keep floors from getting slippery.
- Practice safety when playing sports (wear protection, don’t play with children, etc.).
- Take note of any food allergies your guests may have.
- Always wash your hands and sanitize all utensils when cooking.
- Make sure you thoroughly cook all meat.
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day for love and excitement. Your home should be full of the ones you love, laughter, and good food. Nobody wants this joyous holiday to end in disaster. However, for far too many people, that is often the case. Thanksgiving accidents can occur for a host of different reasons and can lead to various outcomes.
If someone else’s negligence resulted in an accident that caused you harm, contact the Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at AMA Law today and let us fight