The winter holidays inspire many people across the nation to travel in order to connect with family and friends they may not see at any other time of the year. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that approximately 91.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the holiday season spanning the second half of December.
With so many people on the road at once in the days surrounding the holidays, auto accidents become much more frequent and possibly more devastating. Weather conditions in Northern California can vary greatly over relatively short distances, and when ice and snow are present, the likelihood of a motor vehicle accident becomes even greater.
In order to keep yourself and your family safe on the road during holiday travel this year, follow these tips.
- Check weather conditions and traffic on your route before leaving and adjust accordingly.
- Prepare weather related equipment beforehand, such as snow chains and salt.
- Give yourself plenty of time for travelling.
- Stay aware of dangerous roads in Northern California containing hazards such as black ice and potholes.
- Obey speed limits and other traffic laws.
- Put a passenger in charge of distractions, such as cell phones and navigation systems.
- Prepare an emergency kit including water, non-perishable food, and blankets in case you are stuck in the snow or another cold weather situation.
Remember, there will be many travelers on the road not only in the day leading up to Christmas, but also between Christmas and New Years. With so many people on the road at once during more treacherous weather conditions, crashes are likely to occur.
However, when such an accident is caused by another driver’s reckless behavior, victims have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for their injuries and other losses. To understand how the San Mateo auto accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates can help you, call our offices at (877) 862-6288.
