5 Tips to Keep Your Family Safe on a Thanksgiving Road

Big turkeys, bigger parades – Thanksgiving comes with many traditions that millions of Americans enjoy every year. The family road trip is another ritual, but any long drive comes with inherent risks.

If you think the long weekend is tailor made for a road trip to see family or friends, you are not alone. The American Automobile Association estimates that 43 million people journeyed at least 50 miles over Thanksgiving in 2013 – and 90 percent of them traveled by car.

This kind of spike in traffic can lead to a rise in accidents. The National Safety Council calculated that 52,300 travelers were injured in car crashes over the Thanksgiving period in 2015 – and 433 people lost their lives on the road.

If you or a family member suffers an injury over the holiday weekend, contact the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, health-care expenses and non-economic damages.

1. Eric Cooper is a Tyler personal-injury lawyer who will help you fight for the maximum settlement. If your case goes to trial, Mr. Cooper has the litigation experience to represent your interests in court.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit http://car-accident.usattorneys.com/ to learn more about car accident injury claims.

5 Road Trip Safety Tips to Remember This Thanksgiving

Clogged roads, drunken motorists – holiday road trips come with their fair share of dangers. Drivers who embark on long journeys also face the risk of fatigue, and those who fall behind schedule may be tempted to speed or drive recklessly.

Here are five tips to keep your family safe on a Thanksgiving road trip:

1. Never Drink and Drive: Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to party, but be careful: Just one drink can impair your driving. If you plan to consume alcohol, be sure to use alternative transportation such as a sober driver, taxi or ride-share company.

2. Always Buckle Up: Wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent injuries and death in the event of an accident. Make sure all occupants in your vehicle are buckled up before you depart.

3. Make Sure Children Sit in Car Seats: Child car seats significantly reduce the risk of injuries and death to infants and toddlers. If your child is too big to sit in a car seat, consider using a booster seat so the shoulder-and-lap belt fits properly.

4. Avoid Fatigued Driving: The effects of fatigue closely mimic those of drunk driving. Drowsy motorists are not alert, which can lead to speeding, poor decision-making and missed traffic signs. The night before your road trip, be sure to get at least seven hours of sleep.

5. Eliminate Distractions: Put your cell phone on silent, tell the kids to behave, and never eat or drink behind the wheel. Avoid any distraction that impairs you mentally, physically or visually while driving.

If you or a loved one suffers an injury over the Thanksgiving holiday, contact the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident attorney in Tyler who will help you claim the maximum compensation. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.