Over 400 Road-Related Fatalities Expected this Memorial Day Weekend  

For most, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer in Rhode Island and beyond. Commonly, a weekend filled with cookouts, celebrations and often, alcohol. Alcohol and impaired driving plays a huge role in why Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest weekends for auto accident fatalities. For the second year in a row, the National Safety Council (NSC) is predicting over 400 roadway related deaths this holiday weekend. With the excitement of warmer weather and an extra day off work for some, there are more people driving on the road. As Providence personal injury lawyers, Tapalian Law knows that driving and alcohol are a deadly combination and see the severe injuries related to auto accidents every day.

Warm Weather Holidays Deadlier for Auto Accidents

Car travel has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation. The summer holidays, including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, correspond with a higher number of roadway vehicle accidents and roadway fatalities than the cold weather holidays. In Rhode Island and the New England area, we associate the winter time with more car accidents due to snow and ice. However, the summer holidays have a higher per day fatality rate than do Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s when considering the entire country. Winter holidays may also be associated with more air and train travel while car travel is more likely in the summer months increasing the number of drivers on the roads and highways. As it is throughout the year, drunk driving is a huge contributing factor in Memorial Day weekend car crashes.

Car Accident Injury Estimates High for Memorial Day Weekend

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates over 45,800 people will be injured in car accidents this weekend. Common causes of car accident related injuries are drunk driving, texting, or using a cellphone while driving, and other forms of distracted driving. Vehicle accident injuries can be minor or extremely severe. If you or a loved one has been hit by a drunk driver or distracted driver, it is imperative you seek immediate medical treatment and contact an accident injury attorney like Tapalian Law to determine your legal rights.

Tips for Making Memorial Day Driving Safer

At Tapalian Law, we want everyone to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend safely. To help keep it that way, we are sharing some tips from the National Safety Council for safe Memorial Day driving in Rhode Island and wherever you may be spending this long weekend.

• Avoid impaired driving. If you plan to be drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver or use a ride service such as Uber or Lyft to reach your destination safely.
• Put down the phone. Texting and driving is against the law in Rhode Island and many other states. As of June 1^st, using a hand-held cell phone while driving will be against the law in Rhode Island.
• Become familiar with your vehicle’s safety features and use them. Always ensure the driver and all passengers are using a seatbelt.
• Avoid fatigued driving. A tired driver can be just as dangerous as a drunk driver!
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and necessary services, repairs, and recalls are up to date.

Contact a Providence Injury Lawyer if You Have Been Hurt

Memorial Day should be a weekend of celebration and remembrance. Please remember to drive attentively to avoid injury to yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. If you are injured in an accident whether it be Providence, Newport, Bristol, or elsewhere in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, you should seek out the assistance of an experienced injury law firm like Tapalian Law. We have helped innumerable accident victims seek the compensation they deserve for their damages. Contact injury attorney David Tapalian today for a free consultation for your Rhode Island accident case or Massachusetts accident case, at 401-552-5000 or reach us online.