2020 is finally coming to an end. To say 2020 was a tumultuous year would be an understatement. From the COVID-19 pandemic to a contentious election season, this year has caused a great deal of stress for almost everyone. As we approach New Year’s Eve, people understandably want to blow off a little steam and relax a bit.
The holiday season is a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate all the things we are thankful for in life. New Year’s Eve marks the end of one year and the beginning of another, often existing as a symbolic day of rebirth and new beginnings. Naturally, people want to ring in the new year the right way. However, New Year’s Eve can be dangerous if you are not careful.
New Year’s Eve is meant to be a night of celebration, but due to the negligence and recklessness of some, this night ends in tragedy. According to Alcohol.org, drinking rates increase by 33% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The night before the new year is often one of the most popular binge drinking nights. The more people drinking, the more likely drunk driving accidents can happen.
No one wants to start their year with an accident. Unfortunately, you can’t always prevent these accidents from happening. If someone’s recklessness or negligence led to an accident that caused you injuries, contact the Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at AMA Law today and let us help.
Common New Year’s Accidents
As we just mentioned, the holiday season (and New Year’s Eve, in particular) is a popular time to binge drink. With the year coming to an end with countless holiday parties to attend, there is almost always a reason to consume alcohol. Plus, the holiday season is often stressful for many people, which leads them to drink even more.
However, drunk driving accidents are not the only accidents we see on this day. Other common New Year’s accidents include:
- Car accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Firework accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
These accidents can lead to a host of injuries, as well, ranging from minor to life-threatening. Some of these injuries include:
- Cuts, bruise, and abrasions
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Death
Whether you think you’re okay or not, you should always seek medical attention following a New Year’s accident. Often, many injuries do not make themselves known until weeks after an accident has occurred. By receiving a proper diagnosis early on, you can get the treatment you need to recover faster. Additionally, the medical records will strengthen your cases to secure compensation.
New Year’s Accident Statistics
The holidays are a busy time of year. They often don’t let up until after New Year’s Day. During this time, people are always on the move, making last-minute gift purchases, going to the grocery store, and much more. Unfortunately, people are often in a rush, which means they are less likely to be careful. Pair this with an increased rate of alcohol consumption, and you have a recipe for disaster.
To get a better understanding of the dangers surrounding New Year’s Eve, here are some important facts to consider:
- The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 163 people might die in fatal traffic accidents around New Year’s Day.
- There is a 71% increase in accidents involving drugs or alcohol on New Year’s Eve than on an average night on the weekend.
- From 2013-2018, there were 1,004 fatalities in 916 fatal car accidents.
- 341 fatal collisions involved drunk drivers.
- 377 people died in drunk driving crashes.
- Oklahoma ranks second in crash rate over this holiday, making it one of the most dangerous states for these accidents.
- According to research, 47% of men and 40% of women admit to binge drinking on New Year’s Eve.
- The average amount of drinks consumed on New Year’s Eve is 4.4.
- 3% of men and 16.7% of women admit to blacking out on New Year’s Eve.
- On New Year’s 2019/2020, 1,300 people suffered injuries in firework accidents.
As you can see, binge drinking often occurs on New Year’s Eve. While there is nothing wrong with consuming alcohol, it becomes an issue when you do so irresponsibly. Even a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02 can drastically reduce your motor functions and decision-making skills.
Staying Safe This New Year’s Eve
While you can’t control the actions of others, you can take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. You can still celebrate the new year and be safe at the same time. Fortunately, there are many safety measures you can take to stay safe over New Year’s Eve.
Some of these safety tips include:
- Before starting your night, designate a sober driver for the night.
- Take advantage of rideshare apps (such as Uber or Lyft) or take a taxi to get yourself from place to place.
- Never get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
- Do not allow your loved ones to drive after drinking. Take their keys, if necessary.
- Leave your keys at home or with someone you trust for safekeeping.
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
- Pace yourself and know your limits.
- Make plans to stay where you are drinking (if possible) or get a hotel.
- If you are hosting a party, make sure every guest has a safe ride home.
- Never wander the streets drunk or ride a bike drunk.
- Pay attention to the weather.
- Plan to leave early enough to avoid rushing.
- If using fireworks, practice firework safety, or let a professional help.
New Year’s is a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. Unfortunately, accidents can and do occur, which cause people’s celebrations to end in disaster. Often, these accidents are the result of someone else’s negligence.
If you or a loved one were in an accident this New Year’s Eve, contact the Oklahoma personal injury law firm at AMA Law and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.