
Car crashes caused by distracted drivers spike during Christmas and New Years
Accident awareness
While there are general reasons why accidents increase during holidays, the time of day itself can also be key. Take Christmas for example. Many employers give their workers extra time off regardless of religious affiliation. According to the American Safety Council, the greatest number of accidents happen on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and the evening of Christmas Day.
Plan for holiday stress

Holidays should be wonderful, but stress can cause car crashes that leave lasting problems.
Maintenance matters

Make sure your family vehicle is well maintained before holiday traffic.
No holi-doze

Drive safely this holiday season!

Planning
When packing a car full of family, presents and food, planning ahead avoids time wasted turning around to retrieve some necessary forgotten item! No one wants to go backward on a road trip, so take a tip from the master travel planner, Saint Nick; make a list, check it twice. When planning for a holiday trip, it’s important to remember both things at home and things going with you on the road, especially if travelling a long distance or overnight. In addition to making sure the stove is off, check that windows and doors are shut and locked (including on any vehicles staying at home), alarms set and other household concerns are addressed before you leave. Plus, it’s also critical to consider any critters! We love our pets and know they deserve to be safe and secure!
Holiday planning includes beloved pets.
“Arf” you forgetting something?

Get maps for long road trips in case GPS signals break down.
Map it out
If travelling a long distance, it’s always good to plan your route (and maybe even a backup or two in case unexpected delays spring up). And while GPS is a wonderful thing, it’s always good to have an actual map on hand to cover your travels in case of internet connection issues. Planning a route comes in handy when considering gas fill ups, rest stops, mealtimes and bathroom breaks. It’s a good way to have unrushed time for travel as well as stretching your legs while still reach your destination safely and on time. AAA has mapping services, for careful planning.
Holiday driving can change quickly, so make sure you stay on top of the weather!
Weather or not
During the winter months, bad weather can sometimes be accounted for, and sometimes not, but it should always be something for which you and your family are prepared. Follow weather reports to stay ahead of any hazardous conditions, even while on the road. If you do run into bad weather and are not comfortable driving, pull over! It’s better to arrive late than never and there’s no accounting for the negligent driving of other people.
Holiday time moves fast or slow, depending on how well you plan!
Leave early (or at least on time!)
One of the best ways to reduce stress while travelling is to give yourself enough time to reach your destination. As one should always expect the unexpected when on the road, it’s always a good idea to leave earlier than you think you’ll need. If traffic snarls or there’s an accident, an extra hour or two might help make up for it. If it’s smooth sailing all the way through, you can use that extra time to relax during a meal (or two), give the dog a walk, see the sights or relax and let the kids play a bit at rest stops.
Car trips for kids are made more fun with lots of entertainment!
Content kids = undistracted driving
One way to avoid distractions is ensuring kids have necessary emotional support blankies and / or stuffed animals. This is just as important to the Captain as it is to the crew too, so add comfort items to your holiday travel list. Ensuring kids are comfortable usually means things to do or watch. Entertainment is kid-specific but could include road games like license plate bingo, books (if motion sickness isn’t an issue), portable DVD players (headphones are also awesome), tablets and even simple crafts like coloring books can keep kids content for the long haul. For younger infants and toddlers, keep a change of clothes handy in case of accidents. Monitor snacks and drinks to avoid unwanted pit stops (but plan for them anyway). As necessary, make sure you have diapers, wipes, paper towels, ointments, sealing plastic bags for dirty diapers, medicine, pacifiers, bottles and other critical equipment.Pack with pride

Packing the car for a holiday trip

The Fisher Stark P.A. Team: Perry Fisher, Megan Silver, Brad Stark
Experienced Asheville personal injury lawyers
While we wish you a safe and happy holiday season, we know that car crashes and vehicle injuries happen due to other people’s negligence and lack of planning. If you or a loved one has been injured on the road, you need a strong advocate on your side with the expertise to assure that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you. If you live in Asheville, North Carolina, or surrounding areas, and have been injured from distracted holiday driving resulting in a car crash or truck crash, please call the personal injury lawyers at Fisher Stark, P.A., for a free consultation at (828) 505-4300.We will work hard to get you the justice & fair compensation you deserve. Fisher Stark, P.A. is a highly respected personal injury law firm in Asheville, NC. We provide experienced legal help for clients in Buncombe County and all of Western North Carolina. Collectively, our legal team – Perry Fisher, Brad Stark and Megan Silver – have more than 50 years of trial practice, and have participated in more than 1,000 personal injury & accident cases. Call Fisher Stark, P.A. at 828-505-4300 for a free consultation OR take our quiz >> “Is It Time to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?”