Montana drivers know that holidays bring with them a greater risk for accidents on the road. They may be wondering which is the deadliest holiday for such accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has analyzed fatal car crash data from 2010 and 2014 and found that Independence Day, followed by New Year’s Day, is the most dangerous.
During that five-year period, there were a total 592 deaths on July 4, creating an average of 118.4 deaths per year. New Year’s came to an average of 118.2 deaths per year. One major factor in these deaths was alcohol; 47 percent of deaths on July 4th and 62 percent on New Year’s were attributed to a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher.
July 4 turned out to be the most hazardous day for motorcyclists. An average of 26 motorcyclists died on this day every year, compared to 12.1 throughout the rest of each year in the study period. On the other hand, New Year’s was deadliest for the occupants of passenger vehicles.
More drivers are out during July 4, and problems can arise when many of them are traveling unfamiliar routes. Other reasons for the high fatality rate include speeding and seat belt neglect; motorcyclists, for their part, often neglect to wear helmets.
When it’s clear that a motor vehicle accident was caused by the negligence of one of the drivers, the innocent drivers or passengers may be able to file a personal injury claim. A successful injury lawsuit might cover things like medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost wages. Filing without legal assistance is not recommended. A lawyer may be able to recreate the accident and prove how the defendant was guilty. The lawyer might also handle all negotiations.
