Tips for Safe Holiday Travel From an Accident Attorney in Rapid City, SD

It is the wonderful holiday season, and the last thing anyone should have to worry about is calling an accident attorney in Rapid City, SD. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that you may need to. If you are injured during an accident or your car is damaged, and the party at fault is not willing to compensate you for your injuries and damages, we are here to help, even during this hectic time of year.

Wrecks of any kind are typically unexpected. You may set out on your holiday vacation with great weather conditions and sunny skies, only to end up in a snowy and icy area. If an accident happens to occur, simply contact our office for the help you need to work through the process of dealing with the responsible party’s insurance company. We can work to ensure that your medical bills are paid and your lost wages reimbursed so that you do not go into debt when the accident was not your fault in the first place. Until then, we are here to provide you with some tips on how to avoid having to contact an accident attorney in Rapid City, SD this winter by preparing for the unexpected beforehand. 

An Accident Attorney in Rapid City, SD Wants You to Know the Statistical Dangers and What to Watch Out For

The AAA (American Automobile Association) recently estimated that during the Christmas and New Year’s season, nearly 28,000 Americans will be subjected to serious injuries as a result of auto accidents.

The holiday season is a time of constant celebration; unfortunately, this often also means there will be many more irresponsible drunk drivers on the roads. If you notice a car seems to be driving at an unusual speed or swerving, avoid getting near that vehicle. If the car is behind you, consider taking evasive steps, such as pulling over to avoid being rear-ended.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly one-third of fatal drunk-driving accidents take place on the weekends, and the number of fatal wrecks is four times higher at night than during the day. Also, statistically, it is between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. that the greatest numbers of drunk drivers are out on the road. Consider lessening your exposure to these dangers by avoiding driving late at night, and particularly during those hours when drunk drivers are most likely to be on the road. This is especially important to take into account closer to Christmas and on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. 

In addition to watching out for reckless and drunk drivers, also keep a close eye on the weather while you travel.  Check the weather forecast periodically so as to be aware of any drastic changes as they occur.  Keep in mind that as the temperature nears 32 degrees Fahrenheit, roads and bridges will begin to ice over. Black ice is common during the winter months and can at time be nearly impossible to see. Snowy roads also pose a danger. Even if you know how to drive safely in the snow, others may not.

We hope these tips have helped you gain awareness of the increased danger of traveling during the holidays, so you can be more careful on the roads. If an accident does occur, do not hesitate to call us for help once you have contacted the police and insurance companies immediately following the accident, and once you have had any injuries treated. An accident attorney in Rapid City, SD knows how to handle a holiday travel accident properly and protect your interests.

Accident Attorney in Rapid City SD Can Help in a Multi-Car Collision Case

You should speak with an accident attorney in Rapid City SD if you have been in a multi-car accident.  These happen on a frequent basis, especially when it is dark, or the weather is bad.  Whenever there is decreased visibility, and the roads are slick, it becomes harder for other cars to see an initial accident and stop in time to avoid becoming part of it unless they are proceeding at a sufficiently slow speed.  This is one of the reasons that it is so important to keep a sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.  This way you have more of an opportunity to stop or swerve out of the way and avoid becoming part of the pileup.  

As a lawyer, these cases can be particularly interesting due to the concept of negligence.  In a typically personal injury cases, negligence must be established since that determines who is financially responsible for the damage and injuries that occurred.  In cases like a rear-end accident, is often much easier to prove who was to blame, whereas in other cases it may be less clear and require further research and investigation.  This could not be truer than with a multi-car collision. 

As accident attorneys in Rapid City SD, we see several types of multi-car accidents.  Perhaps the most common is when there is a lot of traffic on the road and everyone is following the car in front of them too closely.  When one stops abruptly or gets in a collision, the other cars subsequently hit each other until you have a line of vehicles that are sitting on the highway with damage.  The best way to try to avoid such an accident is by ensuring that you do not following too closely and keep enough distance between you and the next car in front of you.  Regardless of where you were in the pileup it is important that your interests are protected.  We can do the research necessary to determine who was at fault so that you are compensated for your injuries and for the damage to your vehicle. 

Another, less common occurrence is when someone becomes injured after his/her vehicle is struck multiples times.  This is more likely to occur when a damaged car cannot make it off of the roadway.  If, for example, a car is involved in an accident and ends up damaged and resting in the roadway, another car could hit the original one.  If you are involved in such a collision, it is important to do whatever you can to ensure your safety and the safety of others, such as turning your hazard lights on and perhaps moving yourself to the edge of the roadway.

If you have been involved in a complicated case like this, we can help.  As accident attorneys in Rapid City SD, we can review your case and let you know what steps to take next.