Modesto Injury Lawyer Blog

Thanksgiving holiday travel can be a challenge with more motorists traveling throughout the week but our Modesto car accident attorneys are confident that with a little extra caution roadways can remain safer for all. No one wants to spend the holidays mourning the loss of a loved one so keep that in mind as you venture out to family gatherings, holiday parades or Black Friday sales events.

CNN Money reports that higher gas prices won't be keeping motorists from taking to the highways this week. The average price of gas is roughly 50 cents higher than it was a year ago. But that won't stop families from venturing out to be with loved ones for a turkey dinner complete with all the fixings. According to American Automobile Association (AAA), 90 percent of holiday traveling will be by automobile, which puts motorists at high risk of car accidents in Stockton, Modesto or elsewhere in the state.

AAA is projecting holiday travel will be up 4 percent from last year. A spokesman from AAA indicates the rise has much to do with families making a commitment to spend quality time with family members this year after several years at home. It is estimated that 42.5 million will travel in 2011 compared to 40.9 million last Thanksgiving.

The National Safety Council defines the Thanksgiving Holiday period starting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. During that period, the organization is predicting that 434 traffic fatalities will be caused by car accidents. In addition, approximately 43,400 holiday travelers will be injured seriously enough to need medical attention in traffic accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

In 2009, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reported 38 fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Day in California. As a result, 111 people were killed in a traffic accident which equated to roughly 12 percent of the total traffic fatalities nationwide.

Whether you are making a quick trip downtown for a Black Friday sales event or driving 50 miles to see grandparents, we urge all motorists to use extra caution. Roadways will be congested throughout the week so we offer the following tips to keep in mind as you travel.

-If children become restless or agitated and need attended to, pull of the road into a safe spot and take care of the situation rather than take your eyes off of the road to address a problem in the back seat.

-Be prepared for delays in congested areas and don't speed to make up for lost time.

-Ensure everyone is buckled before the vehicle starts in motion.

-Don't risk a drowsy driving accident if you feel sluggish after a meal or full day of shopping. Instead, rest up or ask someone else to drive if they feel more rested.