Elizabeth City Personal Injury Lawyer’s Christmas Wish: A Safe Holiday Travel Season for Eastern North Carolina Drivers

By taking sensible steps, Eastern North Carolina motorists can help reduce risk of holiday car accidents, says attorney Danny Glover Jr. of Elizabeth City’s Teague & Glover, P.A.

Elizabeth City, N.C. (PRWEB) December 03, 2011

The roads throughout Eastern North Carolina will be busy during this month’s holiday season. Unfortunately, that means there will be a greater potential for getting into an auto accident, Elizabeth City personal injury attorney Danny Glover Jr. said today.

Based on 2010 figures, the National Safety Council estimates that more than 600 people across the U.S. will die in a motor vehicle crash during the holiday season, while nearly 60,000 will be seriously injured in an accident.

“A combination of many factors â€" increased traffic, distractions, bad weather and poor decisions â€" clearly make this one of the most dangerous periods of the year to be driving,” said Glover, a partner in the Elizabeth City personal injury law firm of Teague & Glover, P.A.

“But, ultimately, most car accidents can be prevented,” he said. “That’s why we urge all Eastern North Carolina drivers to be defensive drivers, use good judgment and ensure that they enjoy a safe holiday season.”

According to Glover, motorists in Elizabeth City and surrounding areas should consider the following measures in order to better protect themselves throughout the coming month:

•     Designate a driver â€" If you anticipate drinking at a holiday function, pick a designated driver in advance to ensure a sober ride home. If you don’t have one, call a taxi instead of driving while under the influence.

•     Plan ahead and leave extra time â€" Avoid peak travel periods such as right before and after Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Go to the mall on weekday afternoons or early on weekends to avoid congestion and stressed-out, aggressive drivers. Anticipate travel delays and let your friends and family know you’re running behind. They would rather you arrive safely and late than rush and risk an accident.
•     Concentrate on driving â€" More and more accidents are caused by distracted driving, including cell phone use, texting, adjusting GPS devices or other gadgets, eating and grooming. Driving requires your full attention throughout the year, and particularly during the hectic holidays.
•     Don’t hit the road after binge eating â€" Indulging in big holiday dinners can make you drowsy and uncomfortable. Turkey, a staple of many Christmas meals, also contains tryptophan, a sedative that can make you even more tired. Drowsiness is a leading cause of Eastern North Carolina auto accidents, so wait until you are rested to travel. If you get sleepy behind the wheel, pull off the highway and take a break.
•     Prepare your car â€" Holiday travel might be the first out-of-town trip in a long time for many North Carolina drivers. It’s important to make sure your car is up to the task by getting it checked out before you take to the road. Tires are a key area of concern. Make sure they have enough tread and are properly inflated. Cooler temperatures reduce the air pressure in tires and can cause them to underperform. Bald tires can lose traction and result in dangerously long stopping distances.

“Above all, wear your seat belt,” Glover said. “Countless lives could be saved every holiday season if everyone buckled up.”

Glover admitted that all too often, even the safest driver can fall victim to the negligent or reckless driving of another motorist. He advised Eastern North Carolina residents who are injured in car crashes to seek immediate medical treatment.

“Some conditions may not become evident for hours or even days after the wreck, so it’s important to follow up on any medical examination,” he said.

“It’s also important to avoid giving a recorded or written statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and never accept a settlement offer without first consulting with a North Carolina auto accident attorney.”

About Teague & Glover, P.A.

Teague & Glover, P.A., is an Elizabeth City personal injury and criminal defense law firm with deep roots in Elizabeth City and the surrounding region. The firm serves personal injury and wrongful death clients throughout Northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks, including Edenton, Hertford, Camden, Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Duck, Corolla and areas in Pasquotank, Camden, Dare, Currituck, Perquimans, Chowan and Gates counties. The firm’s practice areas include bicycle accidents, car accidents, catastrophic injuries, dog bites, health insurance claims, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse, pedestrian accidents, reckless driving, truck accidents, vehicle accidents and wrongful death. To learn more, call (252) 335-0878 or use the firm’s online contact form.

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Danny Glover, Jr.
Teague & Glover, P.A.
(252) 335-0878
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