As joyous as the holidays are for families, they are also a time of increased risk for personal injuries. The holidays mean more activities and commerce that also come with their own dangers. From driving to shopping at a store, everything may be more dangerous when more people are out preparing and then celebrating. There is only so much that you can do to stay safe when someone is acting carelessly or recklessly. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident during the holidays, The Arshakyan Law Firm attorneys are here to fight for you to get financial compensation.
The Risk of Drunk Driving Accidents Increases
Holidays are associated with celebrations. For many, celebrations involve alcoholic drinks. While there is nothing wrong with that on its own, some may get behind the wheel after drinking. Little wonder the drunk driving accident rate begins to spike at Thanksgiving and stays elevated until the New Year. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the fatality rate is the highest during the week between Christmas and New Year’s
You should exercise extra care when driving during the holiday season. However, no matter how defensively you drive, there is little you can do to avoid an accident with a drunk driver. You can file a lawsuit against a drunk driver for the injuries that they have caused you. Your legal process against the drunk driver is independent of the criminal process against them. You may still get a settlement check, even if the drunk driver is not convicted of any crime.
Delivery Truck Accident Injuries
Another common accident around the holidays is being involved in a crash with a delivery truck. Consumers order more goods and products, and trucks are working overtime to deliver them on time. More delivery trucks on the road also mean that shipping services work their drivers longer and may even hire temporary workers. At the same time, more people being home also means that they are ordering food and other things delivered. More drivers are working for services such as GrubHub and Uber Eats.
If you have been injured in an accident with a delivery truck, you may be able to sue the driver’s employer for financial compensation. If the driver was an independent contractor, you may still be able to receive a settlement check because either the company or the driver has a large insurance policy in place.
Slip and Fall Accident Injuries at Stores and Establishments
Although online shopping has taken over much of the retail world, people still go out to shop these days, both the large stores and shopping malls. Even though Los Angeles does not have the snow and ice that other areas have, there are still high risks of a slip and fall accident in a store or restaurant. Weather is just one cause of a slip and fall accident. Careless workers may often leave stuff in highly-trafficked areas or overlook a hazard when someone else creates it.
In general, larger crowds create more of a risk of slip and fall injuries. Overcrowding increases the chances that someone may be negligent, and the extra burden on employees means they may not be as vigilant as they should be.
In addition, you may be out visiting friends and family, and you may fall on their property. Do not worry about financially harming those close to you if you have been injured in a fall. You would be filing a claim against their homeowner’s insurance policy, which would be the one that pays you the money.
Injuries from Defective Toys and Other Holiday Gifts
You or a loved one may also be injured by a product that you have bought during the holiday season. Families exchange gifts, and some products that you have purchased may be defective. Statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission detail that roughly 150,000 to 200,000 toy-related injuries each year require hospital treatment. Some of these injuries involve choking, suffocation and electrocution.
Any product may be defective. Families exchange electronics and appliances, which can result in a fire risk. You may be able to sue the product manufacturer in a product defect lawsuit. You must prove that the product was defective in some way, which is often a high burden for you to meet. You can also prove that the manufacturer or seller was negligent.
Increased Risks of Fire in Your Home
These same risks may cause an increase in fires around the home. Families will decorate a Christmas tree. The tree itself can be dangerous, especially when it becomes dried over time. The electricity near the tree could also cause it to ignite. The kitchen also has a fire risk as families cook for the holidays.
Families may also use more electricity around the home for their celebrations. They may plug new devices into outlets to charge them, leading to the risk of an electrical fire. The risk is even greater when the actual device is defective.
Finally, the fire risk may also be heightened by families cooking in the kitchen. The US Fire Administration reports a combined total of 2,000 deaths and injuries each year in holiday-related fires. Even when families take their own fire safety measures, defective products and other factors could still cause holiday fires.
Contact a Los Angeles County Personal Injury Attorney Today
Besides getting medical help, the first step that you should always take after being injured in an accident is to call an experienced attorney. The attorneys at the Arshakyan Law Firm are dedicated and diligent attorneys that you need on your side as you seek financial compensation for your injuries. We can work to maximize your claim and recover every dollar to which you are entitled. To speak with one of our tenacious attorneys, you can reach out to us online or call us today at (888) 851-5005. We offer free consultations, and you owe us nothing unless you win.