Aside from actually sitting down to a mouthwatering turkey dinner, most of the festivities that take place on Thanksgiving weekend require your family to pile into the car. In fact, Turkey Day is one of the busiest holidays for travel, which makes it one of the most dangerous. With more traffic come more opportunities for motor vehicle collisions.
People are also more likely to drink and drive over holiday weekends, and you can expect there to be drowsy drivers on the roads, as well. If you want to avoid all the mayhem and reduce the risk of getting into a serious collision—or getting stuck in traffic—you can plan your family outings strategically to avoid the busiest travel times.
Unfortunately, congestion is not the only factor that contributes to car accidents. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash with a drunk, distracted, or otherwise reckless motorist, contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf to determine the best way to proceed.
If you have grounds for a claim, our legal team will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. We will gather medical records, interview witnesses, calculate damages, and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a case evaluation with a car wreck attorney in Baton Rouge.
Read on to learn how you can avoid the worst of the holiday traffic over Thanksgiving weekend:
- Leave Tuesday Morning
A lot of Americans take off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and those who want to get a head start on the festivities often leave Tuesday evening once they get off work. If you plan on leaving Tuesday, set out in the morning to avoid the afternoon and evening rush. According to USA TODAY, traffic tends to pick up after 1 p.m. on this day, and it peaks between 4 and 8 p.m.
- Head Home Saturday
Spending an extra day with loved ones may be nice, but if you want to avoid congestion, consider leading Saturday instead of Sunday. Sunday typically sees a lot more traffic than Saturday, which means collisions are more likely.
- Travel on Thursday
If you live fairly close to your relatives, consider traveling to see them on Thanksgiving day. Although there are some travelers out on Turkey Day, the roads are usually manageable, and the congestion is comparable to weekend traffic.
- Stay for Just the Night
If you plan on enjoying a few cocktails with your turkey, you should definitely stay off the roads afterward, even if you live nearby. In such a scenario, it’s best to head home the following day, when traffic is similar to weekend congestion.
Sadly, even if you avoid driving while impaired, you cannot control the actions of other motorists. If you sustain serious injuries in a collision with a drunk or negligent driver, contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf.
We have more than 30 years of combined experience providing legal representation to accident victims. Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a consultation with an accident lawyer in Baton Rouge. You can learn more about car accident claims in Louisiana by visiting USAttorneys.com.