Want to Avoid a Car Accident on Labor Day Weekend? 4 Tips from a Longview Personal-Injury Lawyer

The first Monday of September is set aside to appreciate the immense contributions of the workforce to the prosperity of the United States – but mention the words “Labor Day” to almost anyone, and the only thing they’ll think of is: party time.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t live it up over Labor Day. Unfortunately, the long weekend is associated with an increase in fatal car accidents.

The annual number of road fatalities in Texas is already high: More than 3,500 deaths were reported in 2015, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. More troubling is the fact that the National Safety Council estimates that fatal car crashes increase by 12 percent over the Labor Day period.

If you are injured by a negligent driver over the holiday, contact an accident attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills and noneconomic damages.

1. Eric Cooper is a personal-injury lawyer in Longview who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation with an accident attorney. You can also visit http://car-accident.usattorneys.com/texas/ to learn more about personal-injury lawsuits in Texas.

Here are four tips to help you avoid car accidents and injuries over Labor Day weekend:

1. Buckle Up

No, it’s not as obvious as you might think. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showed that of all the 21,022 people killed in car accidents in 2014, more than half were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.

Young drivers and passengers are the least likely to buckle up. If you are travelling with kids or infants, make sure they are safely secured at all times.

2. Avoid Distractions

Your cell phone is a killer: 431,000 people were injured in 2014 in car accidents involving a distracted driver, according to Distraction.gov. So switch it off, or opt for Airplane Mode, and resist the temptation to check text messages and other notifications.

3. Do Not Rush to Your Destination

If you are planning a long road trip, then leave plenty of time to reach your destination without rushing. Speeding contributed to 28 percent of accident fatalities in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

4. Don’t Drink and Drive

Another one that’s not as clear-cut as you would think: Almost 10,000 people were killed in car crashes involving impaired drivers in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can avoid becoming a statistic by:

• Designating a sober driver;
• Staying overnight in a hotel;
• Calling a taxi;
• Or using a ride-share service.

If you were injured in a car crash with a drunk, distracted or negligent driver, contact a Longview personal-injury lawyer from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident attorney who helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.