Top Four Ways to Stay Accident-free During California Holiday Travel

With Thanksgiving already past and the Holiday season in full swing, families will be hitting the roads all over the country and making the trek to see one another. And while there will most likely be increases in air and train travel from now until January, the most common form of transportation is on the roads, via cars.

Just because there is little snow in many parts of the Sunshine State, unlike some parts of the country, does not mean that all drivers are immune to serious California car accident injuries, which is why the car accident injury lawyers at Steinberg & Spencer have compiled a list of the top four ways to prevent California car accident injuries during holiday travel:

1. Give yourself plenty of time. Most families have that one member who is adamant that everyone eat the holiday meal on time, but safety should come before any turkey or green bean casserole. There is a surplus of cars on the road around the holidays, and speeding to get to your destination because you are running late only increases your chance of an accident. Leave early, slow down, and take your time.
2. Get your car checked out before you leave. It may have been a while since you took the car out for a long, multi-hour trip, and the last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road—or even worse, to be broken down in the middle of a busy highway. Even if you take your car in for regularly scheduled maintenance, it is not a bad idea to have your mechanic give your car a good once-over before you head out of town.
3. Be prepared for the long-haul. Just as your car may not be used to traveling extreme distances, neither might your body. Try to avoid driving long distances alone, and make sure to take frequent breaks to prevent your body and eyes from becoming tired.
4. Have zero-tolerance for driving under the influence. We all know that the Holidays are a time to celebrate, and many times, those celebrations include alcohol. If you plan on drinking, make sure to designate a sober driver, take a taxi cab home, or plan on spending the night at your destination.

For more information on handling holiday car accident injuries in Santa Monica, order your free copy of Steinberg Spencer’s book, Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case, by calling 800.350.8888. Or fill out our online form to set up a complimentary case evaluation.