What are the most common types of holiday accidents?
The holiday season is a time of cheer, merriment, and excitement. For many of us, it is also a hectic time of year. Families often find themselves bustling about to pick out the perfect gifts for loved ones, with the chaos mounting the closer it gets to Christmas. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also a time for accidents. Holiday related accidents can happen in shopping centers, stores, and roadways. Prevent yourself from becoming injured this holiday season by reviewing the most common types of holiday related accidents, as prepared by our Rio Rancho, New Mexico slip and fall attorneys, below.
Shopping Mall Parking Lots Are Danger Zones
Parking lots become a serious danger zone during the busy holiday season. With cars continually pulling in and out, both pedestrians and vehicles are at risk of being hit. Pedestrians should avoid walking behind parked cars in parking lots. Instead, they should head to safe sidewalk zones. Parents should take small children by the hand at all moments, as cars pulling out are unlikely to see small children behind their vehicles.
Drivers should carefully check their rear view mirror and drive defensively as they enter and exit a parking lot. Consider parking farther out in the lot to avoid your vehicle being bumped or dented by cars coming and going. Anyone who is injured in a store parking lot should consult with a personal injury attorney right away.
Slip and Falls Abound in Retail Stores
Shopping centers will become more crowded with both people and items during the holiday season. Retail stores may become the site of slip and falls as customers slide on wet floors or run into misplaced items and trip. Slip and falls could leave customers with broken bones, lacerations, head trauma, and other serious injuries.
Car Accident Rates Increase
With more cars on the road and inclement weather in some areas of the country, car accident rates can spike during the holiday season. Add in the use of alcohol by some drivers around Christmas and New Year’s and the number of car accidents climbs even further. To stay safe on the roads this winter, drivers should drive defensively and avoid peak traffic hours, whenever possible.
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