New York City Injury Attorneys hope you and your family have a fun and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.
And the best way to ensure fun is to be safe, especially on the roads. AAA estimates that 39 million people will be driving this holiday weekend, which is actually a drop from the 40 million or so who traveled 50 miles or more from home last year, USA Today reports.
While there may be fewer drivers on the roads than in 2010, 39 million is a large number of drivers. And, as we all know, the traffic never stops in New York City, holiday or not. More drivers means the potential for more car accidents in Queens and elsewhere in the city.
With people enjoying the holiday weekend, they may be more likely to drink alcohol. And despite ample public transportation options throughout the five boroughs, people will still get in their vehicles and drive drunk. In 2009, there were 321 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, according to The Century Council, a non-profit group.
Distracted driving is a major cause of vehicle accidents, whether because of texting and driving, talking on a cell phone and driving, applying makeup, messing with the radio dial or other distractions. And in the city that never sleeps, pedestrian accidents in New York are always a concern.
But besides driving, there are other safety hazards this holiday weekend. While many people may not venture far from their homes, they may enjoy the warm weather swimming. Private and community swimming pools are prone to swimming pool accidents in Brooklyn and elsewhere.
Many children are injured each year in swimming pool accidents, which can range from slipping and falling, causing bruising or even broken bones, to drownings. According to the New York State Department of Health, there were 32 drownings reported in New York City between 1987 and 2007.
Some swimming pool tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Never leave your child alone in or near the pool
- Stay within an arm’s length of a child under 5
- Separate your pool with a fence that locks
- Keep rescue equipment and a phone nearby
And be careful of fireworks this holiday weekend. While New York is one of four states nationwide that ban the sale of fireworks, many people drive across state lines (not New Jersey, because that’s another of the four) to purchase personal fireworks. We would recommend going to a city sponsored display, but if you choose to use fireworks, take extra precautions in order to stay safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that nearly 7,000 people were injured and seven killed in 2008 in fireworks accidents. Fireworks accidents in New York can cause severe injuries, from burns to eye problems to brain injuries.
While they seem fun and harmless, these products can sometimes be defective and cause injuries. And with homes so close together in many parts of the city, they can injure others unintentionally as well.
If you or a loved one has been seriously or fatally injured in a New York City car accident, contact personal injury lawyer Nicholas Rose for consultation about your rights. To make a free and confidential appointment call 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
Additional Resources:
High gas prices will cut July 4 travel, AAA says, by Laura Bly, USA Today
Previous Blog Entries:
New York Drivers Rank in Bottom 5 — Do You Know How to Handle An Accident?: June 20, 2011
