Memorial Day Weekend 2018 Safety Tips
Posted in Car Accident on May 23, 2018
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off in just a few days, and that means the unofficial start of summer is almost here. Like other summer holiday weekends, Memorial Day means more vehicles on the road than normal, and that also means an increase in the risk of auto accidents for many drivers.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers hope you and your loved ones have a safe and fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend. We also want to remind you that we’re here to help if you or someone you know gets injured in a preventable accident that was caused by another person’s or party’s negligence.
We have 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured and innocent victims like you, and we know what it takes to win. We won’t let the insurance company get away with offering you a lowball settlement that isn’t enough to cover your accident-related expenses.
You can count on us to calculate how much your injuries have cost you in terms of medical bills and lost wages, and we’ll do everything we can to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form to get in touch with our legal team.
8 Tips to Stay Safe this Weekend
To reduce the risk of you or someone you love suffering serious injuries during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, do your best to follow these tips:
- Don’t drink and drive—Summer holidays are often associated with alcohol consumption. But getting behind the wheel when you’re over the legal limit isn’t just illegal—it’s also extremely dangerous. Intoxicated drivers are significantly more likely to be more involved in both injury-causing and fatal accidents than other drivers. That’s because alcohol severely impairs the physical and cognitive functions required to drive safely, including vision, reaction times, and judgment. In addition, don’t operate a boat while under the influence, as boating while impaired is one of the biggest causes of on-the-water accidents.
- Prepare your vehicle before heading out on a road trip—41 million Americans are projected to travel over Memorial Day Weekend this year, a five-percent increase over 2017. That means traffic may be heavy and delays should be expected. You can make your trip smoother and safer by preparing your vehicle ahead of time. Make sure to schedule routine maintenance and fix any issues, such as getting your tires, brakes, and wipers replaced. In addition, have an action plan ready in case you run into car trouble or another emergency. If you have a flat tire or experience engine problems, pull over to a safe location and call a tow truck. Never attempt to fix your vehicle on the side of the road near moving traffic.
- Be cautious when grilling outdoors—Hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks are cornerstones of many Memorial Day Weekend celebrations, but cooking them on a charcoal or gas grill outdoors can be hazardous if you aren’t cautious. The National Fire Protection Association reports that there were nearly 10,000 home fires involving grills or barbecues between 2011 and 2015, and those fires resulted in 10 deaths, 160 injures, and more than $130 million in property damage. Always keep grills away from flammable structures, and make sure they’re always attended by adults.
- Follow all water-related safety guidelines—Whether you’ll be spending the weekend on the lake or near a swimming pool, it’s important to remember that even shallow bodies of water can be extremely dangerous for anyone, especially small children. If you’re boating, make sure you have enough lifejackets onboard your vessel for all passengers, as well as a throwable flotation device. Never swim after consuming alcohol, and make sure adults are always present when children are swimming.
- Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure—For many people, Memorial Day Weekend is one of the first times of the year that they’ll be exposed to significant amounts of sunlight. That means sunburns are common. Sunburns can range from mildly painful to medical emergencies, especially when they cause a body-wide complication called sun poisoning. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50, and be sure to reapply it every hour or every time you towel off after swimming. If you burn easily, stay out of the sun and wear a hat and limit your sun exposure by wearing long sleeves.
- Don’t leave kids or pets inside your vehicle—It’s expected to be hot outside over Memorial Day Weekend, with temperatures projected in the high 80s Friday through Monday. Remember that the interior of your vehicle can quickly reach dangerous levels in just a matter of minutes when the windows are rolled up. In fact, studies show that after 10 minutes in 85-degree weather, the interior of a vehicle will reach 104 degrees. After 20 minutes, the temperature rises to 114 degrees and after 30 minutes, it reaches 119 degrees.
- Drink plenty of water if you’re going to be outdoors—Temperatures don’t have to be scorching hot outside for you or your loved ones to experience symptoms of dehydration. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and check up on children and elderly relatives to make sure they’re properly hydrated. Water intake is especially important if you or anyone around you is consuming alcohol or caffeine, as both can have dehydrating effects on the body. In addition, sweating can cause dehydration, and a combination of those factors can lead to serious and unexpected health effects, even in healthy people.
- Extinguish fires completely—Camping and bonfires are popular during Memorial Day Weekend, but no matter the size of a fire, it can still be dangerous if it isn’t properly contained and observed. Don’t build fires near flammable structures, plants, or overhanging branches, and always fully extinguish fires before leaving the area. Be cautious when lighting a fire, and keep a fire extinguisher handy to quickly put out a fire that grows too fast or becomes difficult to control. Finally, never use gasoline as an accelerant or to “feed” a fire, as the results can be explosive and extremely dangerous to anyone nearby.
