Be Safe this Fourth of July!

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!