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3 Most Common Personal Injuries During the Holiday Season

Every year, people are excited about seeing their loved ones and friends during the holiday season. This time of year is often associated with eating large amounts of delicious food and opening gifts.
As you are getting ready for the holidays by making travel plans or preparing for a dinner party, it’s important to be aware of safety issues to keep you and your family in good health during this magical time of year.
Here are some of the most common personal injuries that occur during the holidays, as well as tips for avoiding accidents, so you can spend more time with your loved ones.

1. Car Accidents
The last three months of the year are often when most automobile accidents occur. The roads are more dangerous during this period due to snow, rain, and ice. It also gets dark earlier, making it more difficult to see while driving.
Families are also more likely to travel long distances in October, November, and December. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this increases the number of pedestrian accidents around the US. Every year, there are around 35 wrongful deaths and 2,300 vehicle-related injuries on Thanksgiving Weekend. Of these, 15 deaths and 425 injuries were due to drunk driving.
Pedestrians should be extra vigilant during this time of year. Only cross the street in designated areas and make sure to keep an eye on incoming cars at all times. Drivers should be sure their vehicles are in the best working order possible to withstand difficult weather conditions.
2. Accidents at the Mall
Each year, you can see a news story about people being trampled on at the mall while trying to get discounted items to give as Christmas presents. While we likely won’t see large crowds at shopping centers this holiday season, shopping could still pose a danger.
One of the accidents that come to mind when it comes to mall mishaps is when Terry Borowsky, 78, was pushed to the ground in Colorado at a Toys ‘R Us store. Borowsky was chasing a toy hamster – a toy that many children forget about just a few weeks after receiving it.
A few years ago, a Walmart employee was killed on Black Friday as customers crowded the store. Two shoppers were injured during the incident, as well, and filed a $2 million lawsuit against Walmart.
If you do get injured while out shopping, do not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney. Many firms offer a free case review, so you have nothing to lose (source: https://dmillerlaw.com/). In the initial discussion, a lawyer can look over your case and offer valuable tips.
Shopping online and visiting certain retail stores early in the morning or late at night when the store is less likely to be crowded can help you avoid shopping injuries.
3. Injuries From Falling Decorations
Since more people are practicing social distancing and avoiding large crowds, fallen holiday decorations will likely be the leading cause of injury this year. Many families are decorating more elaborately since they are staying in their homes instead of traveling. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, decorative items will lead to over 12,000 visits to the emergency room due to shocks, cuts, and falls.
Children are likely to experience many of these injuries since they are easily fascinated by the visual appeal of holiday decor. Small children tend to pull garlands from doorways and fireplaces or try to take ornaments from the Christmas tree, which may lead to serious injuries. Children may also put decorative items in their mouths, thus being in danger of choking and unintentional swallowing.
Placing decorations in places where children can’t reach them and using items that don’t have sharp corners can decrease the chances of injury for kids and adults.
Safe Holidays!
Prepare for this festive season by minimizing the risks of injury. Enjoy the celebrations in a safe and cozy setting. However, if you or a loved one gets injured during the holidays, do not hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer. Upon a careful review of your case, they will be able to offer valuable guidance on how to proceed and secure the compensation you deserve.
Author

With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to make the best of her writing skills. She decided to turn complicated legal matters into something more palatable for the masses. Therefore, Irma became a law communicator who writes about everyday problems so everyone can understand them and take the appropriate action. She specialized in personal injury cases, as they are more common than anyone thinks, but her areas of expertise also include civil law, criminal law, insurance-related issues, and more.

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