When most people think of the Fourth of July, they think of freedom, backyard barbecues and fireworks. As a personal injury lawyer, I cannot help but think about the people who will inevitably be hurt or killed along with the celebrations. I hate to be the Debbie Downer, but once you see the dirty underbelly of the pig, its hard not to think about it when you eat the bacon.
The grizzly truth is that the Fourth of July weekend is typically the deadliest holiday each year. Last year alone, 10 people died in water related accidents in Texas. What is most concerning is that according to IIHS travel statistics, the fourth of July is the deadliest day in America with an average of 118 lives lost each year in motor vehicle accidents. According to the same report, it is the deadliest day for motorcycle riders as well, with an average of 26 lives lost. Alcohol is usually a greater factor during the fourth of July holiday, ranking second only behind New Year, with 42 percent of deadly accidents involving alcohol for Independence day and a whopping 62 percent for the New Year holiday.
To help illustrate, here is a list of the top-10 days with most accidents since 2014 according to IIHS.com:
| All deaths | Average deaths per day |
|
|---|---|---|
| July 4 | 592 | 118.4 |
| January 1 | 591 | 118.2 |
| September 18 | 552 | 110.4 |
| August 2 | 541 | 108.2 |
| August 27 | 541 | 108.2 |
| July 5 | 539 | 107.8 |
| October 2 | 539 | 107.8 |
| October 8 | 537 | 107.4 |
| September 1 | 535 | 107 |
| September 2 | 535 | 107 |
Top 10 days with most
motorcycle crash deaths, 2010-14
| All deaths | Average deaths per day |
|
|---|---|---|
| July 4 | 129 | 25.8 |
| August 24 | 120 | 24 |
| August 8 | 116 | 23.2 |
| June 30 | 112 | 22.4 |
| July 8 | 112 | 22.4 |
| August 27 | 112 | 22.4 |
| June 5 | 111 | 22.2 |
| August 10 | 110 | 22 |
| June 21 | 109 | 21.8 |
| July 27 | 109 | 21.8 |
TRAVELING AROUND TEXAS FOR THE FOURTH? BE SAFE!
If you are traveling around our great State this holiday, be safe and watch out for other drivers who seem impaired. Indicators of intoxication, according to NHTSA are:
- Turning with wide radius
- Straddling center of lane marker
- Appearing to be “drunk”
- Almost striking object or vehicle
- Weaving
- Driving on other than designated roadway
- Swerving
- Speed more than “10″ miles below speed limit
- Stopping without cause in Traffic lane
- Following too closely
- Drifting
- Tires on Center or Lane marker
- Braking Erratically
- Driving into Opposing or Crossing Traffic
- Signaling Inconsistent with driving actions
- Slow response to traffic signals
- Stopping inappropriately (other than in a lane)
- Turning abruptly or illegally
- Accelerating or Decelerating Rapidly
- Headlights off
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? CALL GUEST AND GRAY TODAY!
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need to call Guest and Gray immediately. Our knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to get to work for you. We need to begin working on gathering and protecting evidence, speaking to witnesses and asserting your rights. Whether it be car, motorcycle or 18-Wheeler accident, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Get the medical treatment you need and then make the call to Guest and Gray. You will be glad you did! Be safe this Independence Day and God Bless America!